A Whirlwind of Tutus and Tights
My darlings, April's balletic offerings have been positively divine! From the glittering grandeur of the Bolshoi to the intimate charm of the Royal Ballet, it's been a month of exquisite choreography, breathtaking technique, and of course, those magnificent tutus!
The Bolshoi Baubles
Let's begin our journey in Moscow, where the Bolshoi, that temple of classical dance, continues to enchant with their extravagant productions. I simply *must* tell you about their latest staging of 'La Bayadère'. It's the sort of spectacle that sends shivers down your spine, darling. Imagine an opulent temple with a thousand costumed dancers swirling around a central stage, all under a breathtaking sky of stars! Svetlana Zakharova as Nikiya was simply luminous, her every step and port de bras evoking the tragic beauty of the story. And the Kingdom of the Shades scene, with its impeccable unison, sent shivers down my spine, such sheer poetry in motion!
The Royal Rendezvous
London, my dear London, never disappoints! The Royal Ballet at Covent Garden always offers a blend of classic and contemporary that's utterly captivating. Last week's performance of 'Romeo and Juliet' saw a most charming Romeo, the young rising star, Sebastian Marques. His Juliet, Natalia Osipova, was simply a dream. Her performances have this wonderful vulnerability that pulls you in, making you genuinely feel every pang of the lovers' tragic story. And when Osipova and Marques rose for their final, choreographed death scene, it was breathtaking! Pure artistry at its finest.
The Dutch Dreamboat
Now who could resist a little trip to Amsterdam? The Dutch National Ballet always puts on a delightful programme. This month featured a contemporary work, 'Indigo', by the talented Johan Inger. It was a real showstopper, darling, with its unique blend of ballet and contemporary dance - lots of spiky lines and bold gestures. And the music by Arvo Part - oh the music - was divine, so ethereal, it was as if the music was itself a character in the play. This is the sort of ballet that makes you want to spend hours at the ballet studio just trying to copy those movements. I am truly inspired by the creative energies in the Netherlands!
Beyond the Borders
Let us now fly to far-flung shores, where ballet continues to thrive. This month, I am simply *besotted* with the Sydney Dance Company's production of 'Body Torque'. It was a work of athletic power and sensual beauty. It involved quite a lot of shirtless young men, which of course doesn’t go unnoticed by me my dear, but it was their dance that really shone through! A real testament to the talents that can be found all around the globe.
A Final Flourish
From the colossal spectacle of the Bolshoi to the intimate charm of the Royal Ballet, it has been a month filled with delightful dances and delicious surprises. Remember my darlings, the ballet world is ever evolving so continue to follow this column as I guide you through this enchanting world of twirling tutus and toe shoes!