Felia Doubrovska Remembered - From Diaghilev's Ballets Russes to Balanchine's School of American Ballet
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DVD details
DVD: Region Code 0Product features:
- Directed by Virginia Brooks
- Written by Jody Armstrong
- Narrated by John Taras
- With Felia Doubrovska, herself, and Maria Calegari, Allegra Kent, Tanaquil LeClercq, and Maria Tallchief
- Cameo appearance by Alexandra Danilova
DVD Reviews of Felia Doubrovska Remembered - From Diaghilev's Ballets Russes to Balanchine's School of American Ballet
DVD Review: Absolutely Glorious!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
This film is wondrous. I read some reviews about this documentary when I was doing some research about Diaghilev. It was shown at a film festival in the United States. The reviews were wonderful and I moaned miserably to myself because I didn't think I would ever be able to view the film myself. (I live in Australia) Well, imagine my delight when I was searching Amazon for ballet films and this popped up. I COULDN'T BELIEVE MY LUCK. I COULD OWN THIS FILM??? UNBELIEVABLE!!! I couldn't get my order in quick enough, it arrived within days (thanks Virginia), I stopped everything, put on the dvd and just enjoyed. After the first viewing I made myself a mug of tea and, with mug of tea in hand, WATCHED IT AGAIN.
Virginia Brooks has done a wonderful job. Comment has been made about the audio quality when Madame Doubrovska is being interviewed. Fair enough and sub titles may have been helpful (and perhaps are still a possibility), however, after you have watched the film a couple of times (and you will watch it many many many times) you will understand her a lot better. Don't be discouraged from buying the dvd. She speaks in that charming way of elderly Russian ballerinas and one day, after watching the film a few times, you will understand and get the general idea. Perhaps one could suggest that she is so modest she doesn't want to talk about herself. Don't be put off, this rare footage of her is a must for every one interested in Diaghilev, Ballets Russes, New York City Ballet and so on.
Thank goodness there is film like this. Think how miraculous it is that there are snippets of film of Madame Karsavina, Madame Spessivtseva and Madame Danilova (to mention but a few).
Madame Doubrovska was obviously an elegant, gentle, modest, beautiful lady and, I think, very shy. This was evident when she was talking and especially so when she was shown teaching at the School of American Ballet. What precious film. Madame Doubrovska must have been in her middle 70s when the film of her teaching was made. The gentle loving way she taught, the absolutely delicious pleasure she got from teaching, her quiet humour, it is all there to see and a joy to behold. Her legs....TRES MAGNIFIQUE...and she was in her mid 70s! I wish I had had legs like hers when I was 20!!! At one point, in order to demonstrate, she stood facing the barre, extended her right leg, turned at right angles to the barre, leg still extended, and stretched backwards. Exquisite.
As has been mentioned by another reviewer there was a marvellous sequence with Madame Danilova as they worked out some of the choreography from Armide's Pavilion for Mikhail Baryshnikov. How I wish there was some film of Baryshnikov being coached and performing the solo. The encounter between Madame Doubrovska and Madame Danilova was wickedly delicious.
I envy any dancer or student who had the honour of being taught, coached or guided by this gracious and charming lady.
I just don't know how to adequately describe this film. It is a treasure, a very important document and congratulations to Virginia Brooks.
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Description of Felia Doubrovska Remembered - From Diaghilev's Ballets Russes to Balanchine's School of American Ballet
Felia Doubrovska was born in 1896 in St. Petersburg, Russia. She died in New York City in 1981. During those eighty five years, she spent 33 years first as a student at the Imperial Ballet School and then as a ballerina with some of the most famous ballet companies in history. After her retirement from the stage she devoted nearly the same span of time to her career as a teacher at the School of American Ballet. It was during this period that she made her great contribution to preserving the continuity of the tradition of classical and neoclassical ballet, as she participated in the training of almost all of the women in the New York City Ballet, the instruments of George Balanchine's choreographic genius. This film provides an affectionate memorial designed to introduce this elegant personality to those members of the audience who never knew her. It is also intended to be a lasting tribute to Felia Doubrovska for those of us who had the good fortune to pass through her sphere.Bestsellers in DVD
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