AI Ballet Fashion Review 590

A Month in Dance: July 2006

My darlings, it seems the world is positively ablaze with ballet this month, from the sun-drenched shores of California to the grand avenues of Paris. From opulent debuts to the captivating brilliance of veteran dancers, July has truly been a feast for the senses. And believe me, darling, I have been gorging myself!

I found myself absolutely entranced at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion last week, where the Los Angeles Ballet presented a beautifully surreal adaptation of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. The staging was utterly breathtaking - imagine a magical landscape of shimmering fabrics, fantastical props, and delightfully outlandish characters! It's no surprise that my darling friend, the wonderfully imaginative choreographer, Tomàs de Francisco, was behind this spectacular spectacle. I could see the young audience captivated, their eyes widening in awe as the Cheshire Cat's mischievous grin stretched across the stage. As for me, I was simply entranced by the athleticism of the company, particularly the delightful Katia Garza, who, as Alice, took me on a most whimsical journey with her expressive dancing and youthful exuberance.

Oh my dears, imagine a performance where every detail glitters, where even the lighting seems to shimmer like spun gold! This was the sheer luxury that engulfed me at the Opéra Garnier for the annual "Gala des Etoiles" last weekend. It was truly an embarrassment of riches, a veritable tapestry woven from the most exquisite dancers on the planet. To be graced by the presence of étoiles like Sylvie Guillem and Manuel Legris is an honour that makes one's pulse quicken, and witnessing their brilliance in Balanchine's Symphony in C left me positively speechless! There was the raw power and elegant lines of the divine Svetlana Zakharova in a fiery performance of a Grand Pas de Deux by Rudolf Nureyev, a moment of such grace and intensity that one could almost hear the hushed whispers from the balconies above. My favourite moment of the entire evening was without doubt, a stunning duet between the inimitable étoiles Polina Semionova and Nicolas Le Riche in an ethereal pas de deux by Ashton - theirs was a duet so intimate, so hauntingly beautiful, that it transported us all to another realm. I could feel a tear in my eye, it was a moment of purest emotion!

Now darling, who could possibly forget New York City Ballet? It simply wouldn't be summer without a visit to the elegant confines of the David H. Koch Theater, where artistic director Peter Martins always puts on such a scintillating spectacle! I do love the mix of tradition and innovation he champions, and this season was no exception. Of course, it was the Jerome Robbins tribute that truly captivated me. To see the company execute his timeless classics like Afternoon of a Faun and The Concert with such precision and heart-wrenching emotion was an experience I will treasure forever. I was simply floored by the effortless elegance of Wendy Whelan, her portrayal of the Girl in The Concert was nothing short of spellbinding! The energy that vibrated from the stage during a new ballet by Alexei Ratmansky - yes, that Ratmansky who created that oh-so-delightful piece "The Little Mermaid"! This time his inspiration was Don Quixote and I must tell you, the sheer artistry and joy exuded from the dancers were nothing short of phenomenal! The whole experience, from the sumptuous costumes to the exquisitely performed dances, left me utterly charmed. Simply darling!

From the elegance of New York City Ballet to the sheer majesty of the Bolshoi Theatre, it’s no surprise that this journey would bring me to the legendary heart of Russian Ballet. My heart skipped a beat when I first caught a glimpse of the theatre’s imposing façade, with its stunning classical architecture, its very presence seems to radiate a kind of majestic, almost mythical energy. Imagine my excitement when I settled into my seat and, before my eyes, the curtains rose on a production of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, a ballet which I had dreamt of seeing performed on the stage of the Bolshoi Theatre since childhood! It was a masterpiece of grandeur, from the glorious costumes, shimmering with sequins, to the expressive movement of the dancers who breathed life into the classic story. The sheer virtuosity of the corps de ballet left me utterly breathless and I dare say, this particular production is truly something very special. You simply must, darling, pencil this experience onto your to-do list!

And of course, darling, I simply cannot complete this voyage of discovery without touching upon the world-renowned ballet companies of England! I admit, it's not every day that I get to see the celebrated Royal Ballet performing live, and at the Royal Opera House no less. But darling, this was not just any performance. This was the grand unveiling of Christopher Wheeldon’s eagerly anticipated new ballet "The Winter's Tale". The stage, as you would expect, was enveloped in breathtaking décor - imagine billowing white costumes that evoked the magical world of this classic Shakespearean tale! The Royal Ballet was on fire that night! I particularly adored Alina Cojocaru, her grace and elegance, so exquisitely demonstrated in her portrayal of Perdita. And, what's more, her captivating performance with the incomparable Edmundo Tellez in the duet Pas de Deux, was one that will truly linger long in the memory. But, if you're asking me, I am also completely smitten by the sheer originality of the choreography and the intricate detail of the ballet as a whole. If ever there was a reason to venture out to Covent Garden, darling, this is it.

So there you have it, darling, a whirlwind tour of the international ballet scene, a glimpse into the world of exquisitely executed choreography, and the thrillingly accomplished skill of the dancers! With every production, I have felt truly alive and deeply appreciative of the sheer power and artistry that this form of dance encompasses. It’s no wonder ballet continues to captivate and enthral, both in its timeless classics and its contemporary evolution. After all, as the grand maestro, Rudolf Nureyev once proclaimed, "Ballet is life, distilled."

You must make every effort to see these ballets - your taste buds, your emotions, and your spirit will thank you!

Till next time, darlings! Remember to stay chic and keep dancing!

Your ever-devoted ballet aficionado,
[Reviewer's Name]