La fille mal gardée

La fille mal gardée is the oldest ballet in today's repertory. This is the "leading" version today with choreography by Frederick Ashton. Ferdinand Hérold originally composed the music (based on numerous folk songs), and John Lanchbery adapted and arranged the version of the music used on this disc. This was staged 2005 by Alexander Grant and Christopher Carr at The Royal Ballet. Stars Marianela Nuñez, Carlos Acosta, William Tuckett, Jonathan Howells, David Drew, Giacomo Ciriaci, Gemma Bond, Bethany Keating, Iohna Loots, Natasha Oughtred, Christina Arestis, Deirdre Chapman, Lauren Cuthbertson, Cindy Jourdain, Sarah Lamb, Laura Morera, Vanessa Palmer, Christina Elida Salerno, and Alastair Marriott. Anthony Twiner conducts the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House (Associate Concert Master Sergey Levitin). Sets by Jean Dauberval; designs by Osbert Lancaster; lighting by John B. Read;  directed for TV by Ross MacGibbon. Released  2009, disc has 5.1 PCM sound. Grade: A+

Although one of the most beloved of ballets, there was only one DVD and one CD available before this show was recorded in 2005. Now that subject title is out in HDVD, all prior neglect is rectified. This deliriously delicious disc has it all: non-stop melodies scintillatingly played, beautiful stars who can act, comely corps, celebrated numbers, scads of character dancers gobsmacking your funnybone, plus ingratiating scenery, costumes, and lighting! Innocent love justifies all the tricks played by this not-so-dutiful daughter to get her guy! Impeccable sound and  video picture with no motion or artifact issues except in brief dark scenes. This will be the one disc on your shelf that everybody will love.