This DVD presents the 1966 film of Kenneth McMillan’s brilliant Royal Ballet production of Prokofiev’s ballet Romeo and Juliet. It is an actual stage presentation, though applause is edited out until the final curtain calls–which makes for a few awkward edits and fades between scenes. Although the focus is not the sharpest imaginable, we are compensated by rich and luscious reds, blues, and golds–overall much better color than we have gotten from more recent TV filmings of the same ballet company. The dancing of Nureyev and Fonteyn is legendary. They produce one memorable moment after another. The rest of the company is beyond reproach, and John Lanchbery conducts a lively, lyrical, and well played interpretation of Prokofiev’s magnificent score. By mono optical film standards, the sound is quite amazing. For sure it isn’t as hi-fi as the Previn or Maazel recordings, but it has a lot more frequency range than you might expect, with more than adequate detail and presence. [2/3/2001]
