Romantic Era-a ballet documentary with prima/étoile ballerinas Alonso, Fracci, Thesmar, Evdokimova

(With restored stereo audio track and uploaded for educational purposes only.)
'Romantic Era: The Beauty of an Age Captured by Four Legends of Dance' is narrated by Erik Bruhn and contains ballet dances performed at the 8th International Cervantino Festival at Teatro Juarez, Mexico, in 1980:
-Alicia Alonso and Jorge Esquivel in a pas de deux from "Robert the Devil"
-Carla Fracci and James Urbain in an extract from "La Peri"
Ghislaine Thesmar and Michel Denard in a pas de deux from "Natalie, The Swiss Milkmaid"
-Eva Evdokimova and Peter Schaufuss in an extract from "Esmeralda"
-The "Grand Pas de Quatre" reconstructed and choreographed by Anton Dolin and performed by Eva Evdokimova (Staatsballet Berlin) as Lucile Grahn, Ghislaine Thesmar (Paris Opera Ballet) as Carlotta Grisi, Carla Fracci (La Scala Ballet) as Fanny Cerrito, and Alicia Alonso (Ballet National de Cuba) as Marie Taglioni.

[@swisscheese724]

I’m so thankful that this exists! The romantic era continues to be my favorite and I loved the commentary about how integrated the pantomime and storytelling was with the steps. Technique is but a vehicle for artistry and these legends had both in abundance.

[@ploplisphilin]

This really should be released on DVD!!!!!

[@davcubmx]

This is really a jewel if you like ballet and you know about the history of it . You will love this .

[@susannevollmer2347]

This unique film about the romantic dance made and told by the adorable Erik Bruhn is so lovely to see and so importend to everyone who loves Ballett and to any dancer. These are perfect examples about the best romantic style. And Bruhn wished to safe this art of dancing!❣Thank you for sharing!

[@karemiamoreno9854]

ESTO ES ARTE!!!!!....AMO la DANZA cuando se baila de esta FORMA se entrega el alma en ello!!!!GRACIAS.Esto es ETERNO!!!no gimnastas impecables girando, subiendo piernas o saltando distancias y alturas...eso dejadlo a los Juegos Olímpicos! LA DANZA AES ARTE ESCÉNICO en estos niveles de sublimación,,,

[@siegfried923]

I love in the Pas de quatre reconstruction with these four. How not only are the steps copied from the notation, but the body is held how it would have been then, due to the shoes or the boned bodices the body was held differently to how it is today. the weight was carried more forward as can be seen particularly in Evdokimovas variation. I remember Gillian Lynne saying when she recreated the ballet in Phantom that bodies were held differently then.

[@santi7616]

Thank you very much!! What a great documentary.

[@asclepius3117]

This conversation is a GEM!!! Wow! Two epic legends and Evdokimova and Thesmar were top-notch ballerinas. I saw the Pas de Quattre a couple of times with the Ballet Nacional de Cuba with Alicia in New York. It was not a favorite, especially as I adored Alicia, seducing and flying and floating in the classic roles (and Carmen) but I do like it better now (absence makes the heart grow fonder).

[@judithricca6915]

What a delightful program - such beauty.

[@debhig]

Anton Dolin is leaving out the important credit to KEITH LESTER who preceded any effort Dolin says that he did first.

[@aidepaul534]

Every leg-whacking young dancer should be forced to watch this and learn!

[@normamimosa5991]

Despite their individual talents for the time, thank goodness ballet has progressed enormously in technique, fluidity, line, flexibility, extensions, interpretation, and lets not forget costumes!

[@trrill]

Take into account that Alonso was 60 and Fracci was 44 here; not exactly the height of their powers. And in any case, the point of this little documentary was that they were recreating the modes of the Romantic Era circa 1845, including the technical execution, style, and costumes.
But about "progress," it's a matter of perspective. I don't see that much fluidity and line and flexibility and extensions and interpretation today. I often-not always-see a lot of sloppiness, lack of turn out strength, hypermobility, useless circus tricks, and endless fouetté competitions by braindead TikTok brands.

[@EL-bu8pi]

Oh ye. Truly gimnasty but not art anymore.

[@normamimosa5991]

@@EL-bu8pi The top ballet artists are from Russia, without question. Not only artistry of expression, but also artistry within body movement (very important - for example, Swan Lake). Russian dancers led the way in beautiful extensions and flexibility (a surprise for the West after the Iron Curtain came down - lots of catch-up in the West). Point is that in Russian pre-professional and other dance academies, the students learn proper turnout, extensions, flexibility, AND artistry from Day One, unlike many academies in the West, especially in North America, albeit dance in the West has progressed, particularly in Europe, with the influence of Russian/Vaganova technique. The Dutch Ballet is an example (Russian teachers, coaches and dancers).
The combination of turnout, line, extensions, flexibility, fluidity, and artistry - also strength - all taught from Day One - produces the best, most beautiful and most artistic dancers in the world.

[@EL-bu8pi]

@@normamimosa5991 I'm agree. Russian Ballet is the best more likely in the oldest time. Then Cuban Ballet. American Ballet terrible technique and acrobats in the stage.