Corsaire (Blu-ray)

Since it's very first performance in 1856 at the Paris Opéra, Le Corsaire has been regarded as one of the most impressive narrative ballets of the 19th century. This performance from 2016 is choreographed and conceived by the exceptional dancer, choreographer and director, Manuel Legris. Legris, as a member of the Paris Opéra Ballet in 1986, was appointed Danseur Étoile by the then ballet director, Rudolf Nureyev, and has since received multiple awards and honours for his work. He has been the director of the Wiener Staatsballett and artistic director of the Ballett Akademie der Wiener Staatsoper since 2010. Adolphe Adam's scintillating score features additional music by Delibes, Drigo, Pugni and others, selected by Legris, arranged by Igor Zapravdin, and performed by the orchestra of the Wiener Staatsoper, conducted by Valery Ovsianikov. Stellar Russian dancers Robert Gabdullin and Maria Yakovleva take the principal roles of Conrad and Médora in this elegant and impressive production.