Oh darlings, November has arrived in all its dusky, deliciously melancholic glory. And what a month it's been for the world of dance, wouldn't you agree? We've had opulent debuts, glittering revivals, and yes, perhaps even the odd disappointing clanger. But fear not, my dears, your darling ballet correspondent is here to guide you through it all with an insider's eye. Grab a cuppa, slip into your most comfortable slippers, and prepare to be transported...
**The Royal Ballet, London:** Oh, how they made my heart flutter! I simply cannot gush enough about their revival of **"The Sleeping Beauty."** Now, one might think a classic like this wouldn't offer much room for novelty, but let me tell you, dear reader, these were performances that had the whole audience on the edge of their plush seats. The sets, with their swirling opulence, seemed to shimmer and come alive, while the costumes, oh my, the costumes! So resplendent, they almost felt edible. But it's not just the aesthetics that made this production such a triumph. The companyâs technical precision was, as always, flawless, but this time it was truly elevated by the palpable emotion they conveyed. A special shout-out to the young Marianela NĂșñez, whose portrayal of Aurora brought a fresh, youthful vibrancy to the role, while still possessing the delicate elegance expected of a Royal ballerina. This production was nothing short of sublime.
The Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow: A real whirlwind this month, with the company bringing us two drastically different offerings: The highly anticipated new production of **âDon Quixote"** by Alexei Ratmansky and the return of their lavish revival of **"Swan Lake."**
Ratmansky's "Don Quixote" certainly took a few liberties with the classic, giving it a more contemporary, even ironic feel at times. This modern twist wasn't for everyone, but I must confess, I found the humor of it quite delightful, especially the delightful and slightly impish performance of Vladimir Shklyarov as the iconic title character.
In stark contrast, the Bolshoiâs âSwan Lakeâ oozed the very essence of Russian classical ballet. The beautiful, almost melancholic score, coupled with the iconic costumes and opulent sets, truly brought the fairytale to life. And itâs worth noting the impressive technical skill of their prima ballerina Olga Smirnova; she absolutely radiated as Odette. Her swan movements, especially the sequence of âthe 32 fouettĂ©s,â were breathtaking and drew gasps from the audience. A reminder of why this is truly considered the gold standard of classical ballet.
San Francisco Ballet: Oh, what a feast for the eyes. This time it was Helgi Tomassonâs bold new work **âThe Dream of the Red Chamber"** that stole the show. It's based on the famous Chinese novel, which tells the tale of love, loss, and the fleeting nature of beauty in a grand and complex tapestry of emotions. I was absolutely captivated by the rich blend of cultural influences; the blend of Western and Asian styles felt fresh, almost daring, yet effortlessly cohesive. The choreography, of course, was the real star of the show â truly breathtaking and expressive in every detail, with Tomasson pushing his dancers to new heights of performance.
**New York City Ballet: While the "Nutcracker" might be synonymous with the holiday season, this year, the New York City Ballet dared to introduce us to something new: a stunning collaboration between their Artistic Director Justin Peck and designer Thom Browne called **"The Concert."** And dear reader, letâs just say itâs unlike anything Iâve ever experienced in my ballet life! Think abstract minimalism, unexpected harmonies, and a playful, even ironic take on classic ballet elements. This show had me enthralled. And of course, those Thom Browne costumes? To die for. Pure fashion genius.
Paris Opera Ballet: Now, onto our Parisian friends! Their **âLa Bayadere" ** is a staple of balletâs repertoire and one Iâd missed seeing for too long. This performance made me realize how much the French ballet scene still knows how to truly showcase romantic grandeur. There were a couple of memorable performances, too: DorothĂ©e Gilbert was exquisite as the tragic Nikiya, and the vibrant energy of Paul Marqueâs Solor brought the dramatic tension to life. Oh, and how about the iconic "Kingdom of Shades" sequence! Itâs enough to send shivers down the spine. I do recommend getting your ticket early, my dears â this is one that will sell out in a flash!
**And now for a dash of something more intimate⊠**
BalletX: You'll have to forgive me for bringing you out of the opulent grand theaters for a moment, dear reader, but I simply must tell you about the delightful company BalletX based in Philadelphia. This small but extraordinary ensemble offered a truly breathtaking evening with **"The Company" **, a new work by the charismatic Matthew Neenan. This dance, I dare say, is more an immersive, moving story told through movement than a purely formal ballet piece. Neenan masterfully captures the human condition in its complexities â love, loss, yearning â making this performance intensely personal and truly unforgettable. This kind of talent in the âsmallerâ scenes shows you that brilliance can bloom even in the most unexpected places!
**And a final thought before I bid you farewellâŠ**
November seems to be the month where we crave a touch of romance and the warm embrace of traditional ballet. But let us not forget that, while the classics may hold timeless allure, the true beauty of this art form is its ever-evolving nature. It's those daring new creations, the surprising twists, the bold expressions that keep ballet alive, fresh, and invigorating. So, whether it's a glittering gala at a grand theatre or an intimate performance in a smaller venue, I urge you to step into the magical world of dance. There's something out there to enthral every heart, you simply need to discover it!
As always, keep those pointe shoes polished and your spirits high, darlings! And donât forget to check in next month for another serving of dance gossip and glorious artistic triumphs. Au revoir!