Oh, the places we go! A month of ballet, darling.
This August has been absolutely brimming with breathtaking dance experiences! I've had the pleasure of flitting from city to city, witnessing the very best the ballet world has to offer, and let me tell you, it's been a total whirlwind of tutus and tiaras.
I started my month at the glorious **Royal Opera House** in London, where the air crackles with anticipation, you know? They were doing Giselle. Iām not a classic ballet enthusiast usually ā the plot tends to be as predictable as the second act of Swan Lake. However, I was entranced. Marianela Nunez was truly magnificent as the delicate Giselle. Her fragile grace and emotional depth simply broke my heart ā quite a feat for a character with an utterly tragic storyline, if you ask me! The entire production was stunning; I loved the new, almost minimalist sets, so tasteful, you know? It perfectly suited the dramatic themes of the piece.
Speaking of tragic love, I had to jet off to **Paris** to witness the sublime *Romeo & Juliet*. Performed by the **Ballet de l'OpƩra National de Paris**, I was positively beside myself with the sheer beauty of this interpretation. I saw Eleonora Abbagnato and Mathieu Ganio perform, and the chemistry between these two was truly breathtaking. And who doesn't love a story of star-crossed lovers, no matter how much it makes you want to weep?
I then made a quick trip to **New York City**, as you simply must witness the vibrant and innovative artistry of the **New York City Ballet**. The programme included a piece by choreographer Christopher Wheeldon, āAfter the Rainā, and let me tell you, I found myself speechless, the entire piece being just exquisitely emotive, so tender and touching. This was ballet at its finest, my darlings, a powerful testament to the human spirit.
Of course, no trip to New York is complete without a little bit of Broadway glamour, and I found myself mesmerized by **Mikhail Baryshnikov's** production of **āThe Little Mermaidā.** Absolutely darling, though a bit out of the ordinary. Not my cup of tea exactly, however, Baryshnikov did an excellent job translating the magic and charm of the classic Disney story onto the stage.
Moving on to a very different flavour, the **Nederlands Dans Theater (NDT)** in **The Hague** provided the opportunity to indulge my artistic adventurous side, darling! This truly cutting edge troupe presented the piece *āSolo for twoā*. Imagine: two dancers onstage alone with an impressive and ever changing set and beautiful costume. The concept was very unconventional, but oh my darling! Their technical prowess was absolutely astounding. I'm a firm believer that great dancers can bring life to even the most abstract, unconventional pieces.
Of course, I simply couldnāt complete this grand tour without a visit to the **Bolshoi Theater** in **Moscow**, now could I? And it was worth the trip, my darlings. They put on a breathtaking production of "Swan Lake," that really took my breath away! As much as I adore my favourite, Nina Ananiashvili (whose performance was truly heavenly), it was the rising star of the company, Olga Smirnova, who caught my eye. Her rendition of Odette/Odile was truly spellbinding! She captured the innocence and fragility of Odette, and the dangerous sensuality of Odile, to perfection, you know? It was such a treat to see fresh talent emerge and capture our attention so effectively.
So, my darlings, my month-long ballet adventure is over, leaving me filled with a delightful exhaustion and an overflowing heart! All those grand leaps, graceful arabesques, and captivating stories have me filled with such a profound appreciation for this art form.
But the season is just beginning! Be sure to catch the performances at these, and all other ballet institutions near you. You'll have the pleasure of experiencing artistry of a breathtaking magnitude, as I did. Take notes, and take pleasure. Thereās a whole world of ballet out there just waiting for your applause, darling! And remember, fashion and ballet always make a stunning pairing!
What I'm loving this season:
- Silky chiffon ballet shoes, darling. They give an added elegance, and shimmer beautifully under the stage lights. Just don't trip!
- Velvet headbands and satin ribbons. A perfect way to embrace the luxurious charm of the ballet, just as beautiful with your weekend outfit as with your evening gown.
- Tulle skirts, a fashion darlingās secret weapon! Pair it with a fitted top and a dash of diamonds, or use it as a vibrant statement piece for your daily look. Always fashionable, darling, and eternally feminine!
Until next month, darlings. And donāt forget your opera glasses!