A Month of Tutus and Tiaras: September 2012
Oh, darling, where to even begin? This past month has been an absolute whirlwind of breathtaking ballet, from the regal elegance of the Royal Opera House to the dazzling spectacle of the Bolshoi. Let me tell you, my little dears, there wasn't a single performance that left me wanting. So, grab your pearls, darling, and let me spill the tea on this fabulous September in ballet.
London's Calling
The jewel in London's crown this month was, without question, the Royal Opera House's revival of "Swan Lake." Darlings, this production is everything you could ever dream of in ballet and more. It was a true testament to the artistry of the company, from the captivating Natalia Osipova as Odette/Odile to the exquisitely crafted choreography by Anthony Dowell. Her fluid movements in the swan scenes, oh, they simply melted my heart, and her commanding presence as Odile? Quite divine. You could feel the passion in every single step. But let's not forget the magnificent male leads, both of whom, Vadim Muntagirov and Alexander Campbell, perfectly balanced her power with their own noble and charismatic interpretations. They gave each other such wonderful dynamic tension in the final pas de deux, darling. I literally gasped at their impeccable execution! But really, the entire performance was an absolute dream, from the enchanting set design, and the sumptuous costumes. And oh, the music, Tchaikovsky’s score is timeless.
Speaking of enchanting set designs, the English National Ballet’s “The Sleeping Beauty,” also at the Royal Opera House, certainly captured that magic! Now, I’m sure some of you may be thinking “The Sleeping Beauty,” oh how dull. But my dear, let me tell you, this is a production that reimagines the fairytale and I do believe that the exquisite costumes, a kaleidoscope of colors from soft pinks to shimmering golds, simply had to be seen to be believed! The corps de ballet, darling, their movements were so wonderfully delicate, like they were flitting about the stage in dreams. Their final waltz was absolutely mesmerising, almost hypnotic, with its seamless precision and flowing movements. And oh, the prince! My heart skipped a beat at his stunningly regal performance.
The Bolshoi’s Buzz
Across the continent, Moscow's Bolshoi Theatre presented a dazzling "Giselle." I’m so delighted to finally see Olga Smirnova performing this role, and boy did she give it her all, my dear. She is one of the finest ballerinas performing today! She beautifully conveyed both Giselle’s naive sweetness and her descent into madness with incredible detail, her heartbreak literally felt palpable. Her partner, Vladislav Lantratov, the Albrecht, had such presence and elegance, it was mesmerising to watch, their dynamic on stage truly special.
Around the World
I mustn't forget the wonderful ballet seen in other corners of the globe, dear. A very well-received rendition of "Romeo and Juliet" at the Paris Opera Ballet was, dare I say, enchanting! Now, my darling, I know I mentioned I was simply overwhelmed by the production at the Royal Opera House, but really, "Romeo and Juliet" was breathtaking! You'll simply adore this version! But what is ballet without a little bit of “Swan Lake,” yes? And if you haven't been to the Dutch National Ballet’s performance of this classic in the Hague, I suggest you go now, my dear, because let me tell you, they deliver a show with incredible emotionality. The staging of the dance scenes is utterly beautiful and quite dramatic! Oh, and while we are on the subject of dance drama, San Francisco Ballet did a wonderful “Onegin.” My dears, there is a dramatic tension from start to finish! And did I mention they did a magnificent production of "Don Quixote" back in May? My friends, it was one of the most wonderful versions of "Don Quixote" I've ever seen, darling. The company is certainly flourishing with creativity. They were absolutely fantastic!
Contemporary Kicks
Oh darling, the contemporary ballet scene, where will I begin? London’s Ballet Rambert's “Frame” really showcased what this incredible dance company is all about. There’s no wonder, my darling, they’re lauded as being amongst the most exciting and groundbreaking ballet companies in the world. There was so much artistic depth in "Frame" and so many thought-provoking concepts explored with breathtaking skill.
And the Merce Cunningham Dance Company! It really brought out a unique aesthetic that really grabbed my attention! It's quite a wonderful company for sure! They're so daring and cutting edge and so inventive! The movement, darling, simply unbelievable and absolutely daring and beautifully unpredictable!
Oh, and did I tell you about the extraordinary “Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels”? Darling, if you missed this fabulous gala, well then, my dear, it really was a shame! What made it all the more amazing was the variety, with everything from classical ballet to the more avant-garde.
And the fashion! Don’t even get me started, dear! The jewels were a true spectacle, of course. My heart skipped a beat, quite literally, the minute I saw them. But honestly, I felt that some of the dancers used the jewelled costumes as an opportunity to give some of the more abstract choreographic works more depth and personality. So imaginative! Now, some of these costumes may have been slightly too much in terms of design, but I dare say, what a daring way to show off just what contemporary ballet is all about: breaking boundaries, breaking boundaries!
Closing the Curtain
Now my dears, I truly could go on, the world of dance was so thrilling this past month, but sadly, time marches on, darling! This month’s ballet has truly shown me the endless artistry and versatility within the world of ballet, from classical giants like “Swan Lake” to modern masterpieces. I can only wonder what dazzling ballets await us next month, and honestly, I can’t wait! Till next time, darlings.