LISZT: Mayerling - The Royal Ballet, Orchestra of the Royal Opera House (DVD)

Irek Mukhamedov (Crown Prince Rudolf); Viviana Durante (Baroness Mary Vetsera); Lesley Collier (Countess Marie Larisch); Darcey Bussell (Mitzi Caspar);

Orchestra of the Royal Opera House; Barry Wordsworth

The Royal Ballet presents a stellar cast in Kenneth MacMillan's daring and powerful ballet, filmed in 1994, with John Lanchbery's sumptuous scoring of music by Franz Liszt. The dramatic soundscape is matched by MacMillan's penetrating interpretation of the events surrounding the double suicide of Crown Prince Rudolf of Austria-Hungary and his young mistress, Mary Vetsera, at Mayerling in January 1889.

Reviews
"…while Mara Galeazzi as Mary Vetsera nearly stole the show with her natural conviction, exuberance and authoritative technique, the evening belonged to Watson as Rudolf, one of the most challenging male roles ever created." (The Sunday Express )

"A contorted Edward Watson as death-obsessed Austrian royalty leads a brilliant Royal Ballet ensemble in Opus Arte's second DVD of Kenneth MacMillan's stunner." (BBC Music Magazine)

Extra features
Illustrated Synopsis. Cast gallery. Principles in rehearsal with Edward Watson and Mara Galeazzi. Short feature on costumes.