The world's dance floors are abuzz with excitement this month! From the luminous lights of Paris to the snow-kissed stage of Vienna, we've been shimmying around the globe for you, darlings, to bring you a glittering selection of the hottest ballets on offer. So sit back, pour yourself a glass of something divine and let us whisk you away on a thrilling tour of the latest dance delights...
Paris, je t'aime! The City of Lights has always been a mecca for the elegant arts, and this month saw the legendary Opéra Garnier positively sizzling with the premiere of "L’Elixir d'Amour". This adaptation of the classic Donizetti opera was not just about gorgeous singing, it was a visual feast for the senses. Choreographed by the darling of the ballet world, Manuel Legris, it brought a contemporary freshness to a much-loved tale. And speaking of darlings, the stellar cast included the utterly divine Stéphane Bullion as Nemorino, with his powerful, athletic physique and captivatingly sweet performance, his Juliet, a breathtakingly ethereal Marie-Agnès Gillot, was quite simply sublime. Her leaps were so effortless they seemed to defy gravity, and every single gesture radiated an almost otherworldly grace. There were some gorgeous supporting performances too, most notably from the incomparable Ludmila Pagliero who was every bit the captivating, sultry Adina.
If you're craving a bit of traditional elegance then you simply have to see "Swan Lake" at the Bolshoi. My goodness, the sheer grandeur of this production is positively breathtaking. The massive scale of the stage, with the Bolshoi's phenomenal orchestra and the spectacle of the corps de ballet, all make for an extraordinary experience. Of course, it wouldn't be a Bolshoi production without an outstanding cast, and this month's run didn't disappoint. Svetlana Zakharova was an absolute revelation as Odette, and her performance as the White Swan was absolutely haunting. Her every move spoke of the character's plight, from the utter despair of being transformed to the tender hope for a return to her human form. She moved with a captivating fragility, a genuine sense of sadness. In complete contrast, the fiery energy she brought to Odile in the "Black Swan" sections was simply electrifying! It really was a transformative performance.
The Berlin State Opera's production of "La Bayadère" is simply divine. Choreographed by the divine Natalia Makarova, it is an intoxicating mix of passion and artistry. And it simply must be said that Alina Cojocaru's portrayal of the tragically beautiful Nikiya is something that simply must be seen. Her leaps are just dazzling and her incredible strength in this physically demanding role made every movement feel almost effortless. Her emotional intensity, her desperate yearning, is palpable and I was completely lost in her captivating world. And of course, she was perfectly paired with the brilliant Marianela Nunez as the jealous Gamzatti. These two women really did take their characters' conflict to an entirely different level. Their final pas de deux was a tour de force, a fiery confrontation that had the audience on the edge of their seats.
If you're looking for something a little more unconventional, you should try and catch the Vienna State Opera's new production of "Sleeping Beauty", featuring some dazzling contemporary work from the young and exciting choreographer, Guillaume Côté. It has been re-imagined for modern audiences, and I'm thrilled to say, this update works incredibly well. Côté brings his signature, vibrant style to the stage, resulting in a more grounded and emotionally raw performance than we're used to. While I missed the traditional grandeur, I loved the fresh look Côté brought to this fairy tale. And speaking of fresh, I absolutely adored the way he played with the costumes – the fairytale princess is gone and replaced with a striking ensemble that made you look at this ballet in a completely different light. He wasn't afraid to experiment, which I think really makes this piece a fascinating and thought-provoking interpretation of the original story. And his “Awakening" scene – now that's pure theatrical genius, darlings! But my goodness, it takes an incredible performer to pull that off and the fabulous Olga Smirnova was an absolute knockout in this demanding role!
I absolutely adore ballet in its more traditional forms but the experimental choreography in The Royal Ballet’s "The Winter's Tale" was a really captivating change of pace. Inspired by Shakespeare’s masterpiece, it really does blend the old and the new with effortless ease, thanks to the genius of Christopher Wheeldon. Wheeldon’s talent for story-telling is something that always leaves me breathless. He created such an immersive atmosphere. This show made the Royal Opera House stage feel utterly magical, transporting the audience to the wilds of Bohemia and back again.
However, a quick tip – book your tickets well in advance, darling! This is the hottest show in town right now and it’s no wonder. It stars a divine selection of world-class talent; including the gorgeous Marianela Núñez, who brings her signature fire and grace to the role of Perdita and the dashing Vadim Muntagirov who absolutely commands the stage as Leontes.
And now for a real treat... In a new twist, London’s English National Ballet is offering a rare opportunity to experience "Giselle", one of ballet’s most beloved stories in a most unconventional way! That’s right, dear reader – the production is touring around the country, taking the dance into the community. This month it graced the historic town hall in Nottingham with its hauntingly beautiful and timeless love story. It felt incredible to watch these beautiful dancers take on a new setting – and with an absolutely magnificent performance from Alina Cojocaru in the role of the tragic Giselle and a breathtaking display of passion and longing from Federico Bonelli as her beloved, the dashing Albrecht, it made for a captivating performance. This was a production that allowed the beauty of ballet to speak for itself.
Speaking of "Giselle" I cannot not tell you about New York City Ballet’s production at the David H. Koch Theater – another classic with a delightful twist! Now, it’s true to say that NYC Ballet isn’t known for straying too far from tradition but it’s precisely this classicism that keeps it a mainstay in the world of ballet. It's not only about beautiful dancing, the sense of theatre that emanates from these performances is quite incredible. For this production they went a little further, putting together a special “Giselle"-themed evening of works that captured the soul of this ballet. With an absolute powerhouse performance from Tiler Peck as the tragically beautiful Giselle. But if you’re after real artistic innovation you have to go further south for that. I’ve seen so many stunning dance shows from Latin American choreographers, they really do set the world alight with creativity, and the incredible "A Broken Mirror" by the Cuban Dance Company in the United States gave me the most magical and mesmerizing theatrical experience! The costumes! The staging! The dancing! My dear, this show is a veritable kaleidoscope of art, from the most delicate and nuanced to the wildly passionate!
Let's head south once more to Rio de Janeiro, my dear! The Rio de Janeiro’s Ballet produced one of the most spectacular versions of "The Nutcracker" you are likely ever to see. This dazzling adaptation is a celebration of Brazilian art and culture. With colorful costumes and a lush, imaginative set. It felt like entering a whole different world of fantasy – and I am not simply referring to the magical adventures of Clara and the Nutcracker Prince. The choreography by Alexei Ratmansky is the most exquisite blend of classic ballet and contemporary flair which results in a real triumph of artistry. I adore the playful sense of child-like wonder that permeated the entire performance. It really was a delightful way to spend a magical December night.
There you have it, darlings - the cream of the crop in ballet from the hottest theatres in the world. As we enter a new year, I'm already eager to see what magic is waiting on the dance floors. Here's to another year of breathtaking artistry, captivating storytelling and an absolute delight for the eyes and ears.