Siddharta

Siddharta ballet. Book and choreography by Angelin Preljocaj. Original music by Bruno Mantovani written especially for this Preljocaj production. Performed (world premiere)  2010 at the Opéra National de Paris. Stars Nicolas le Riche, Aurélie Dupont, Wilfried Romoli, Muriel Zusperreguy, Alice Renavand, and Le Corps de Ballet de Opéra National de Paris. Susanna Mälkki conducts the Orchestra of the Opéra National de Paris; set design by Claude Lévêque; costumes by Olivier Bériot; dramaturgy by Eric Reinhardt; lighting by Domininue Bruguière; TV direction by Denis Caïozzi. Released 2011, disc has 5.1 dts-HD Master Audio sound.  Grade: A+

The world premiere of this Siddharta took place in 2010 at the Opéra Bastille in Paris. Maybe 30,000 lucky people saw it during a run of 13 performances. It's got everything a fan of modern ballet could dream of, and now you can see it about a year later in your home theater! So what's it got? Abstract dancing from the best choreographer in France hung on a story line you can follow (with help from a description in the keep case booklet explaining each scene). 50 of the best, most beautiful, and sexiest dancers in the world led by great stars. A compelling original score written just for this ballet played by a huge orchestra augmented with percussion and a mean electric guitar under direction of a beautiful female conductor. All this is garnished with weird swinging scenery/props, sophisticated moody lighting, beautiful costumes, a bit of Cirque de Soleil, and a victory for the good guy. You've got to see this one, which is a rare A+ for Arthaus Musik.