The Dance Diary: A Whirlwind of Grace and Glamour from June to July 1996
Oh, my darlings! June and July have been positively bursting with balletic brilliance! From the grand stages of Paris and Moscow to the intimate ateliers of London and New York, dance has captivated and charmed. The air buzzed with anticipation as we prepared to lose ourselves in a kaleidoscope of movement, passion, and, of course, a little bit of fabulous frocking.
Paris, je t'aime, toujours! The OpĂŠra Garnier was alight with a dazzling revival of "La Bayadère," a production so divine, it practically rewrote the definition of "spectacular." The sheer scale of it all was intoxicating â those exquisite sets, the opulent costumes, and a corps de ballet so flawless, they could have walked straight off a Renaissance painting. And what of the divine Natalia Osipova? She is the ultimate Nikiya: ethereal, heartbreaking, and breathtaking in every pirouette. Of course, a good "Bayadère" isn't complete without a little dramatic flair. And what flair it was! The glorious golden presence of the divine Manuel Legris was truly the cherry on top of the "Grand Pas Classique" â pure ballet heaven. I tell you, dears, even the chandeliers seemed to sway in rhythm to his every move.
Moscow, oh Moscow! You are the quintessential mistress of classic ballet. The Bolshoi, that grand dame of theatres, gave us a poignant revival of "Giselle." You know me, darling, I'm always weak for a good romantic tragedy! And the Bolshoi cast did not disappoint! The achingly beautiful Diana Vishneva as Giselle, a poignant dancer whose vulnerability was palpable, broke my heart. And her partner, the superb Nikolai Tsiskaridze, simply radiated star quality as the hapless Albert. He's such a captivating dancer! It's almost scandalous how talented he is. The dramatic impact of the production was only amplified by the grandeur of the theatre's architectural splendor and the opulent costuming â simply magnifique! It was enough to make you wonder whether you were watching ballet or an elegant dream sequence.
But London, my sweet London, you know how to keep things fresh! The Royal Balletâs "Cinderella" wasnât your average fairy tale. No, darling, this one was tinged with a dark, modern sensibility, complete with sleek black sets, intriguing costume designs and an ending that made you think. The dazzling Darcey Bussell shone in a stellar turn as the feisty, independent Cinderella. Her light, elegant moves were utterly enchanting, and her technical mastery left us gasping for breath. Oh, darling, the exquisite partnering between Bussell and Jonathan Cope's (as Prince Charming, natĂźrlich) was a masterful display of power and tenderness. And did I mention the glorious dance of the "Stepsisters," which had the audience in stitches?! The sheer absurdity and silliness of the "Ugly Sisters" were pure comedic genius! A fantastic way to deconstruct a classic ballet â we simply adore a little bit of irreverent whimsy!
From across the pond in the "Big Apple", it was a whirlwind of exciting new creations and modern dance that got my pulse racing. The New York City Ballet presented a delightful programme, a mix of Balanchine masterpieces, like the iconic "Agon," and a vibrant new piece by Christopher Wheeldon called "The After-Dinner Joke". Now, this darling, was an exquisite piece! The choreography was exhilarating, infused with a youthful energy and a contemporary edge, while the "New York State of Mind" of Tchaikovskyâs music made it all simply mesmerizing.
Now, letâs not forget the delightfully unexpected. I stumbled across a small but oh-so-intimate performance of âThe Rite of Springâ in the charming West Village neighborhood of New York. It was an experiment in the purest sense, raw, and unapologetically visceral. The dance, with its earthy, almost primal energy, resonated with something so primal in our souls, it took our breath away.
On to other artistic explorations, dear readers. From "La Traviata" at the Met to the dazzlingly avant-garde production of "Otello" at the Royal Opera House in London, the opera season has been full of memorable experiences. There is just something about those operatic voices soaring in those gorgeous opera houses that takes our hearts captive.
And as if that weren't enough to satisfy a passionate arts enthusiast's soul, London has also treated us to an exhibition of the extraordinary works of Russian photographer Sergei Stroganov. His haunting portraits, captured with the essence of a ballet dancerâs fleeting grace and strength, brought the experience of ballet to life in a whole new dimension!
And let us not forget the fabulous Fashion weeks that were just unveiled! London and New York showed their interpretive take on the current balletic inspirations: flowing, feminine silhouettes that moved with grace, elegant cuts, and daring experiments with form and fabrics to make any dancer envious! My eyes are already glued to what the next season has to offer!
Now, dears, as I sit here, my glass of something sparkling in my hand and the sound of Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake" floating in the background, it is hard not to reflect on how blessed we are to witness such brilliant talent and art form across the globe! From the traditional beauty of classical ballets to the modern whimsy and innovation of new works, itâs been a truly sensational couple of months â a summertime dream indeed! Until next time, my lovelies, keep dancing through life!