• Aspect Ratio ‏ : ‎ 1.78:1
• Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Yes
• MPAA rating ‏ : ‎ NR (Not Rated)
• Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.47 x 0.71 x 7.6 inches; 3.92 Ounces
• Director ‏ : ‎ George Balanchine
• Media Format ‏ : ‎ NTSC, DTS Surround Sound, Dolby, Widescreen
• Run time ‏ : ‎ 1 hour and 44 minutes
• Release date ‏ : ‎ November 20, 2007
• Actors ‏ : ‎ Alessandra Ferri, Roberto Bolle, Massimo Murru, Riccardo Massimi, Deborah Gismondi
• Subtitles: ‏ : ‎ German, English, French, French
• Studio ‏ : ‎ Alliance
• Number of discs ‏ : ‎ 1

This performance of the ballet A Midsummer Night's Dream, based on the play by William Shakespeare, was recorded live at the Teatro alla Scala in 2007, and features the musical accompaniment of the Orchestra and chorus of the Teatro alla Scala, and features dancers like Alessandra Ferri, Roberto Bolle, and Riccardo Massimi in the leading roles.

At two separate times, Felix Mendelssohn composed music for William Shakespeare's play A Midsummer Night's Dream (in German Ein Sommernachtstraum). First in 1826, near the start of his career, he wrote a concert overture (Op. 21). Later, in 1842, only a few years before his death, he wrote incidental music (Op. 61) for a production of the play, into which he incorporated the existing overture. The incidental music includes the famous "Wedding March".

Mendelssohn became familiar with Shakespeare by reading German translations as a boy, and in 1827, at age 17, he was inspired to write a piece capturing the atmosphere of Shakespeare’s comedy. The piece, a concert overture, quickly became a popular favourite throughout Europe.

Mendelssohn returned to Shakespeare in 1843 at the request of Prussian King Frederick William IV, an admirer of the overture, who wanted a set of incidental music for an upcoming production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Mendelssohn crafted 14 short pieces based on themes and moods from the earlier piece. The complete work was first performed with the play on October 14, 1843.

Overture, Op.21

1. Scherzo (385 bars)

2. L’istesso tempo (126 bars)

3. Lied mit Chor (184 bars)

4. Andante (20 bars)

5. Intermezzo. Allegro appassionato (189 bars)

6. Allegro (168 bars)

7. Notturno. Con moto tranquillo (126 bars)

8. Andante (69 bars)

9. Hochszeitsmarsch / Wedding March (129 bars)

10. Marcia funebre (24 bars)

11. Ein Tanz von Rüpeln (55 bars)

12. Allegro vivace come I (29 bars)

Finale mit Chor (218 bars)