Ballet in 3 Acts
Premiere: Sadler's Wells Ballet, Covent Garden- Dec. 1948
US Premiere: Sadler's Wells Ballet, Metropolitan Opera- Oct. 1949
The well known fairy tale of Cinderella, based on the story of 17th century poet, Charles Perrault, has been a ballet for over 150 years. Its enormous success, however, came only after Sir Frederick Ashton, inspired by the wistful and imaginative Prokofiev score (written 1945), created Britain's first full-length ballet. Together with Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet, the Cinderella Ballet has now become part of dance heritage. The world-acclaimed Berlin Comic Opera Ballet has a history spanning 230 years. Adapting classical Russian technique, they have always felt a responsibility to make ballet accessible to the young, staging special performances with new choreographers and fresh repertory as an introduction to the art of dance.
In this filmed version, the beautiful Hannelore Bey dances the role of Cinderella with tenderness, dignity and alluring grace. Roland Gawlick creates an outstanding Prince. Splendid dcor and costumes enhance the ballet's inventiveness, farce and fluidity. Highlights include the ballroom pas de deux for Cinderella and her Prince, and the comic roles of her stepsisters and stepmother.
V.I.E.W. Video is proud to present this entertaining performance in an enhanced DVD format, capturing the timeless and enduring charm of Cinderella for young and old alike.