Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn formed a ballet partnership unlike any other in this century. The wild and tempestuous Tartar Nureyev, "a young lion leap-ing* (Margot Fonteyn). And the delicate, lyrical English prima ballerina, whose refined artistry made her a legend in her time.

Their paths first crossed in 1962, when they performed in Giselle at London's Covent Garden. A sensational success, it marked the beginning of an artistic collaboration which reached one of its unforgettable peaks in 1964: Nureyev's production of Swan Lake in Vienna.

Still performed decades after its creation, this production is undeniably one of the most fascinating and beautiful in the world. Nureyev's choreography permits both himself and Margot Fonteyn to display their phenomenally accomplished skills to their best advantage. This recording drew enthusiastic reviews throughout the world. Variety called it "technically excellent and visually exciting*, and the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung rhapsodized about "moments of perfection, pinnacles not only of choreography, but also, and foremost, of film artistry."

Doubtless the most popular ballet in the world, Swan Lake is given a stunning and compelling new interpretation here by Rudolf Nureyev. Nureyev always believed that Tchaikovsky's music contained a depth of emotion that did not fully . emerge in the previously existing versions. He thus gave more prominence to the character of Prince Siegfried. In Nureyev's interpretation, the Swan Princess is the creature of the prince's imagination. In the end, however, she means more to him than life itself.

Remasterized version.
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