It's hard to believe that a ballet so captivating, so effortlessly charming, as Les Deux Pigeons could have been composed almost a century and a half ago. Yet, here it is, nestled in the repertoire of the Royal Ballet, and as I watch it unfold, a delightful tapestry of youthful love and whimsical adventure, I am transported to a world where time has no hold. This timeless gem by André Messager, first performed in 1886, is not just a ballet, it is a story, a poem set to music, a celebration of life itself, as told through the graceful language of ballet.
The ballet, as any true dance aficionado knows, is built around a rather straightforward story – two young lovers, a dashing youth and a beautiful maiden, are separated by a misunderstanding and find themselves reunited by the intervention of fate. There's a whimsical element too - a stolen necklace, a desperate flight, and an unexpected encounter with a dashing and benevolent Duke, all unfold against the backdrop of a vibrant Parisian park. But it's the story itself that fascinates me; it's a story so universally understood, so relatable, that even in its simplicity, it speaks volumes.
But to reduce Les Deux Pigeons to mere storytelling would be a grave disservice. The ballet's true magic lies in its exquisite music, and its choreography – an intricate and elegant weave that complements the music perfectly. It's a perfect marriage of beauty and skill. It’s not simply dance; it’s a ballet where each movement is steeped in meaning, each gesture conveying emotion with unparalleled finesse. Each step is a conversation; each pirouette, a whisper; each jump, an expression of unbridled joy.
Messager's music, a symphony of lilting melodies and sparkling harmonies, weaves an enchanting spell. It speaks to me with a quiet sophistication, a romantic nostalgia that makes my heart flutter with an emotion as tender and ephemeral as a delicate flower. There’s a hint of the salon in its lightness, and in its delicate construction it is very much in keeping with the fashion of the time. The ballet begins with a spirited prelude and, like a burgeoning love story, each piece unfurls in a progression of emotion.
The orchestration itself, both intimate and expansive, captures the mood of each scene: the lighthearted waltzes that introduce us to the charming, innocent love of the young couple; the melancholic, swirling phrases as they part; and the majestic strains as the Duke appears, a beacon of hope, his character reflecting the majestic style of his era.
Now to the dancers! And to discuss them, I will turn to the production I recently saw at the Royal Opera House.
The Dancers- The Principals: There are, of course, two dancers whose performances carry the entire ballet on their shoulders - the young lovers, the Girl and the Boy, and it was the exquisite pairing of Akane Takada and Alexander Campbell that captivated my attention.
Akane Takada, the girl, brought an extraordinary purity and grace to the role. Her movements are not only fluid, but imbued with an unmistakable vulnerability. There is a softness in her performance, a captivating elegance that draws you in. As I watched her dance, it was almost as if her every movement was a confession, an unspoken expression of longing and hope. The technical brilliance is unquestionable, but what resonates most is the soulfulness of her dancing, a delicate blossoming that embodies the essence of the young woman in love.
Alexander Campbell's boy, with his natural charisma and effortless elegance, is equally captivating. He embodies the spirit of adventure, the lightness and buoyancy of young love, with an athleticism and a graceful confidence that is breathtaking. Their pas de deux, that moment when two hearts beat in unison, is mesmerizing. They embody an effortless unity; their bodies dance as one. They capture the yearning, the frustration, the joy – the entirety of young love, expressed in the language of dance.
- The Ensemble: Les Deux Pigeons doesn’t rely entirely on the magic of its leads. This charming ballet wouldn’t have the same impact without the supporting cast who paint the bustling Parisian park with life. Their energy and vivacity breathe life into this scene. It is their dancing that paints a picture of the setting, bringing this world to life in all its lively colour and charm.
- The Choreography: While it is true that Messager provided the original choreography in 1886, the Les Deux Pigeons I saw at the Royal Ballet bore the stylistic mark of Frederick Ashton who revised the choreography in 1961. Ashton, known for his exquisite craftsmanship, has not only brought new life to Messager's music, but has woven it into a dance vocabulary that resonates with the essence of his time.
Ashton’s choreography, I believe, amplifies the playfulness and romance inherent in the story. He embraces the neoclassical ballet idiom of the era with fluid movement, refined steps, and graceful athleticism that makes it both light-footed and deeply poignant. There is a joy in every step; an effortless, almost whimsical grace. The grand pas de deux, in particular, displays Ashton's deft handling of the ensemble, weaving the movement of the pair around the group like a delicate thread.
- The Production: Ashton also revamped the original set design, creating a lively and beautiful portrayal of the Parisian park. With lush, colorful foliage and the grandeur of a stately fountain, the setting itself creates an atmosphere of elegant and lighthearted beauty, a whimsical tableau of 19th century Parisian life, which sets the mood perfectly. It provides the perfect backdrop for the tender narrative. It is a feast for the eyes and transports me to that era.
- The Costuming: The costuming in this production is another key element of its visual allure. The designers have clearly studied the fashions of the time and recreated them with precision and sophistication. The delicate, romantic designs reflect the time period with such impeccable style that I am utterly transported to the time when such delicate garments and rich velvets were commonplace. And for the leading dancers, there’s a charming juxtaposition - their white outfits with a touch of innocence stand in stark contrast to the richer colours of the supporting ensemble.
As I write this, I still feel the lingering warmth of the performance, a memory of an enchanting journey into a world of romance, longing, and triumph. The delicate melodies still whisper in my ear, while the visual spectacle of the stage is still etched on my memory, an indelible impression.
Les Deux Pigeons is a masterpiece of balletic storytelling. It's a testament to the enduring power of the art form – a perfect balance of exquisite music, elegant choreography, and a narrative that speaks to the very essence of the human spirit. This is a ballet that I am happy to recommend, indeed urge you to seek out; to feel its warmth, its charm, and the timeless magic it holds.