It was not too long ago that I assessed this performance on DVD and so,
for a full consideration of this striking and somewhat controversial
production, I refer you to that earlier review (
see here).
As I noted at that time, Rudolf Nureyev's concept of
The
nutcracker is decidedly dark and more than a little quirky. To be
honest, its scarcely-veiled allusions to psycho-sexual themes make it more
of an entertainment for grown-ups than one aimed at the traditional
children's audience. Even if those adult references pass over the
heads of the younger children, of whom we see a large number in the
Staatsoper audience, I'm not sure that some of the darker - in every
sense - visual images wouldn't be a little too scary for them.
If I've had no cause to change my opinion on Nureyev's
production and the Vienna performances, what, if anything, has this Blu-ray
Disc added to the deal? Certainly the picture quality is improved in its new
technically superior format. Images are generally sharper and, with much of
the on-stage action taking place on sets that are less brightly lit than
usual, sometimes more clearly delineated. What looked before a little dull,
can now emerge as richly-toned or even opulent. The richly embroidered
detail on some of the costumes is, for example, more obvious on Blu-ray. In
fact, the medium's extra clarity even manages to add a little more
desperately needed sparkle to Nureyev's all-gold
Waltz of the
flowers, although I still can't imagine ever seeing a drearier
or less imaginative combination of set, costumes and choreography in that
particular number.
The overall result - as is almost always the case when watching ballet or
opera on Blu-ray - is an enhanced sense of immediacy and of "actually
being there." That's especially the case if you watch this disc
in a darkened room and turn up the - very good quality - sound to an
appropriately theatrical level.
Your own reaction to the Nureyev production will probably determine
whether you actually want to "be there" more than once at all.
Personally, I'm pleased to have acquainted myself with this version
and to have experienced a concept that has polarised critical opinion for
decades. Having watched both the DVD and the technically superior Blu-ray
disc in pretty quick succession, I'm not sure that I'll be
returning to either of them again for at least a little while.
Rob Maynard
Previous review: Rob Maynard
