October 2018: The Month That Ballet Went Wild!
Oh, darling, the world of ballet has been absolutely bursting at the seams with dazzling premieres and stunning revivals this month! From the soaring heights of Bolshoi Theatre to the intimate elegance of the Paris Opera, Iâve been shimmying around the globe, sipping cocktails (shaken, not stirred, naturally) and soaking up the best of the best. And let me tell you, dear readers, it has been a veritable feast for the senses.
From Russia With Love
My journey began in the majestic Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, where the grand opening night performance of "The Nutcracker" promised nothing short of a fairytale experience. I gasped! It was the very essence of opulence, a lavish confectionary delight served on a silver platter. The shimmering costumes, designed with exquisite precision, were simply divine! And those tutus - a confectionery explosion of tulle and fluff.
Svetlana Zakharova, as the Sugar Plum Fairy, glided effortlessly, a vision in ethereal pink, her every arabesque and pirouette radiating ethereal beauty. She floated across the stage, her movements light as air, yet filled with an emotional depth that sent shivers down my spine. She reminded me of a graceful swan gliding through a crystal-clear lake. Absolutely stunning.
Speaking of swans, the Bolshoi also brought us a spectacular revival of "Swan Lake," a ballet that never fails to leave me feeling mesmerized. I have a bit of a weakness for Swan Lake - don't judge! And I am still absolutely in awe of the performance by the incomparable Natalia Osipova. Her technical prowess is simply awe-inspiring, a breathtakingly fluid interplay between delicate grace and electrifying power. I just adored the contrasting personas she embodies â the ethereal innocence of Odette and the shadowy, seductive Black Swan. Her final death pose, bathed in an emotional intensity, made tears spring to my eyes.
The Parisian Whirlwind
From the icy depths of Russia, I ventured to the dazzling heart of Paris. It's all about haute couture and joie de vivre here, darling, and what better way to indulge than with the exquisite ballet of the Paris Opera? Their new production of "La BayadÚre" was absolutely sensational. An exquisitely mounted performance, it drew me into a mystical, oriental realm and I was enthralled by the passionate performances of Aurélie Dupont, as the BayadÚre, and Dénis Ganio, who portrays the valiant Solor. The intricate, sensual movements were so beautifully crafted that it left me breathless! The grandeur of the Paris Opera and the passionate energy of the dancers - an intoxicating mix!
The Ballet de lâOpĂ©ra de Paris really knows how to set the mood. Their modern world premiere, âLes Brigandsâ with choreography by the ever-so-creative Benjamin Millepied took my breath away. He certainly isnât afraid to experiment, darling. The costumes were outlandish â I especially loved the fabulous red, metallic leotards! And the dance itself â bold, contemporary moves infused with a dash of mischief! A delightfully offbeat masterpiece in which every movement crackled with electrifying energy, captivating me with its wild unpredictability.
Beyond the Boundaries
But ballet's not just about the big names, darling! I had a truly enlightening experience at the Sadlerâs Wells in London. The young, up-and-coming company Rambert presented "The Work Up." The whole performance was about exploring the power of collaboration. And darling, it truly captivated me. It was a thrillingly inventive dance spectacle â edgy, raw, and oh-so-provocative! It pushed the boundaries of dance and, as always, Rambert shone with its dynamic approach to creativity, engaging me deeply.
Now, one canât discuss contemporary dance without mentioning the iconic New York City Ballet, darling! They have always been a favorite, ever-ready to break the mold with their stunning experimental work. Their latest "A Stravinsky Portfolio" left me absolutely blown away. Stravinsky is such an exciting composer for ballet, bringing so much drama to the movements! Itâs really fascinating, how different choreographers can interpret the same music in completely contrasting ways. The sheer creativity of it all left me breathless. And of course, a major highlight was the return of the divine Tiler Peck in her utterly stunning performance of âThe Prodigal Son." She brought so much expressive intensity and fiery passion!
Global Ballet: From London To Asia
Itâs not just the grand theaters that offer fantastic ballet experiences! I simply must talk about The Royal Balletâs beautiful presentation of "La Sylphide" in London, darling! Itâs a perfect showcase of romantic ballet - absolutely dreamy! The dancing was effortless, full of graceful beauty. I felt as if Iâd been transported to a fairy-tale land, where sprites danced on moonbeams and everything glittered with ethereal charm! And that classic white tutus are absolutely mesmerizing. The ultimate feminine image, a delicate and beautiful dream of a performance!
While we're in London, darling, let's not forget the English National Ballet! Their revival of "Giselle" at the Coliseum Theatre is a performance of great power and depth! And while "Giselle" is an enduring masterpiece of classical ballet, this latest revival is anything but ordinary, darling! The choreography brought a powerful modernity to the stage. And it was breathtakingly powerful!
And while you think Iâm going to neglect my trip to the land of Bollywood â absolutely not! The National Ballet of China has become a major highlight in ballet history. And they just made a splashy debut at the London Coliseum! âThe Red Detachment of Womenâ is such a beautiful, vibrant, and very theatrical performance - a real cultural celebration with stunning choreography and amazing technical talent. I loved every minute of it!
So much for a trip across the globe! As I said darling, ballet truly is a global language, reaching across cultures and uniting hearts through the universal language of movement and emotion. October has really been a fabulous month to get a glimpse into the fascinating and ever-evolving world of ballet. Keep an eye out for next monthâs report!