Rimsky-Korsakov: The Snow Queen (Scottish Ballet)

From the bustle of the winter’s market, to the shivers of a fairy
tale forest, take a journey to the Snow Queen’s icy palace.
Along the way you’ll meet a colourful cast of characters, from
young lovers parted by a spell, to a circus ringmaster with a few
tricks up his sleeve.

Inspired by Hans Christian Andersen’s classic tale of love and
friendship, this glittering production is sure to delight the whole
family.

Scottish Ballet’s 50th anniversary year came to a spectacular close
with the world premiere of The Snow Queen – Choreographed by
Artistic Director Christopher Hampson and designed by the
award-winning Lez Brotherston, this dazzling new ballet is set to
he music of Rimsky-Korsakov, performed here by the Scottish
Ballet Orchestra.

Constance Devernay - The Snow Queen
Bethany Kingsley-Garner - Gerda
Andrew Peasgood - Kai
Kayla-Maree Tarantolo - Lexi / The Summer Princess
Bruno Micchiardi - Ringmaster
Grace Horler - Mazelda, The Fortune Teller
Jeremy Anthony Barnes - Zac, Her Husband

Scottish Ballet Orchestra
Jean-Claude Picard - Conductor

Christopher Hampson - Director and Choreographer
Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov - Composer
Lez Brotherston - Designer

Catalogue numbers: OA1329D (DVD) / OABD7284D (BLU-RAY)

Release Date - January 2021

More information here:

[KWT]

That the (frankly ridiculous) plot has nothing to do with The Snow Maiden (which I don’t mind, despite the misleading reworking of the operatic title) isn’t as annoying as the fact that the production isn’t even a ballet, rather some sort of soap-opera musical (the sets and costumes, which the others regard as magical, are commonplace). Shame, because RK’s music (extracted from various operatic and non-vocal works) is gorgeous: one can listen with closed eyes, but the mostly dire choreography (performed by middle-of-the-road dancers) isn’t free from distracting stage noises. About time choreographers stopped creating ballets: none of them will ever be an Ashton or a MacMillan or a Wright. A disappointing release.