Ballet Bulletin: June 2021
Darlings! Itâs June and the ballet world is abuzz with exciting premieres and revivals. From the hallowed halls of Covent Garden to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean, the dance scene is overflowing with artistry and spectacle. So grab your champagne flutes, slip into your chicest frocks, and join me as we take a whirl through the world of ballet!
London: Royal Ballet at Covent Garden
Oh, the exquisite decadence of the Royal Ballet! This month, Covent Garden is dazzling us with a double dose of Petipaâs classic La BayadĂšre. The first production, featuring the luminous Marianela Nunez in the role of the doomed temple dancer Nikiya, was an absolute triumph. Marianelaâs portrayal of Nikiya was hauntingly beautiful â every flick of her wrists, every silken gesture conveyed the characterâs unwavering devotion and tragic fate with captivating clarity. Her ethereal presence and sublime artistry simply took my breath away.
Now, Iâm a big fan of a little drama in my dance, and let me tell you, this production certainly delivered. The corps de ballet was magnificent, executing those iconic âshadowâ sequences with effortless precision, adding a spine-chilling air to the tragedy. Of course, one simply canât forget the breathtaking grandeur of the âKingdom of the Shadesâ â it truly is the most spectacular ballet sequence ever conceived.
And letâs not forget our leading men, Vadim Muntagirov and Marcelino SambĂ©, each bringing a unique flavour to the role of Solor. Vadimâs performance was all intensity and power, his dramatic portrayal perfectly capturing Solorâs struggle between love and duty. Marcelino, on the other hand, brought a graceful fluidity to the part, adding a touch of melancholic vulnerability. It was a joy to see two such brilliant dancers share the stage in this truly timeless masterpiece.
Paris: Opéra de Paris
The OpĂ©ra de Paris is always a force to be reckoned with, and this month theyâve delivered a dazzling new production of Le Corsaire. The costumes! My dears, the costumes are simply divine. Designed by Christian Lacroix, theyâre a veritable explosion of colour and opulence â shimmering silks, opulent jewels, and dramatic, theatrical flair. Every detail is simply perfection. The dancers were beautifully cast. The lithe and graceful Alexandre Hammoudi was utterly compelling as Conrad, while the beautiful and versatile Valentine Colasante brought both sultriness and vulnerability to Medora. And let's not forget the vibrant, energetic ensemble â their captivating movements and expressions truly transported me to the exotic locales of this grand adventure. Oh, and the fight scenes! Pure balletic mayhem, so much fun!
New York: American Ballet Theatre
Across the pond, New Yorkâs American Ballet Theatre has been setting the stage ablaze with their annual spring season. There are some real gems this year, but I was particularly enthralled by Alexei Ratmanskyâs bold and vibrant reimagining of The Sleeping Beauty. Alexei, darling, has a real gift for infusing traditional works with a contemporary twist. The production boasts a refreshingly vibrant and colorful set and costume design, along with intriguing narrative and character development.
My personal highlight was watching the glorious Misty Copeland, the very picture of effortless grace as Princess Aurora. Sheâs simply magnetic â the way she holds her head, the exquisite articulation of her movements, it all speaks volumes about the power and majesty of ballet.
Around the World: Other Must-See Productions
- In Vienna, the Staatsoper was buzzing with excitement for a stunning new staging of The Nutcracker by Marco Goecke. He has a unique and mesmerizing style, one which brings an unexpected but delightfully playful aesthetic to the traditional tale.
- And speaking of playful, Berlin was captivated by a vibrant new staging of La Sylphide. The production offered a fresh take on the classic, infused with a vibrant, modern energy while respecting the ballets choreographic traditions. The performance of the Berlin State Ballet was nothing short of divine.
- Across the continent, Rome's Teatro dell'Opera delivered a dazzling production of Swan Lake. This production brought Tchaikovsky's score to life with an extraordinary and powerful physicality â a perfect combination of drama, passion and elegant classical style.
- For those who appreciate balletic beauty in less conventional spaces, I urge you to head to the Spanish Steps in Rome. The annual "Roma Ballet" festival is the ultimate mix of classical artistry, dazzling outdoor lighting, and gorgeous panoramic views of the city. What could be more divine than dancing under the Roman sky?
- In Athens, the National Theatre is captivating audiences with a fascinating reinterpretation of Giselle. The director has boldly stripped away some of the traditional elements, yet managed to infuse this enduring story with both power and emotional depth, creating a powerful and engaging theatrical experience. The dance sequences were wonderfully expressive â a truly breathtaking artistic achievement.
- For those who seek an unusual balletic experience, a trip to Istanbul is in order. This vibrant metropolis offers an enchanting blend of cultures and styles, and the Istanbul Ballet's performances are simply irresistible. They've just begun touring their new production of Sheherazade, based on Rimsky-Korsakov's epic tale. With costumes that look like they walked out of an orientalist dream, and dancers who move like the very essence of passion, youâre guaranteed an extraordinary night at the ballet.
And finally, for a truly unforgettable experience, I urge you to travel to San Francisco and witness the extraordinary talents of the San Francisco Ballet. Their summer season features a dazzling mix of works both new and old, showcasing an amazing range of artistry and stylistic innovation. I simply cannot wait to see what magic this legendary company creates next.
Well, darlings, there you have it! From London to Istanbul and everywhere in between, the ballet world is offering up an array of mesmerizing experiences. So polish those pointe shoes, put on your fanciest finery, and get ready for an incredible summer of balletic bliss!
Until next month, stay fabulous,
XOXO,
Isabelle