Darling, have you ever felt that the music for ballet whispers secrets only a ballerina can hear? It's as if the notes themselves shimmer and float like a diaphanous tulle skirt, carrying a magic only dancers understand. Thatâs how I feel every time I step into a ballet, and this week is especially intoxicating. Oh, darling, donât you just feel it in the air, a certain joie de vivre? Today is January 30th, 2007, a Tuesday, and itâs all about the music, honey! The music that sets the heart aflutter and sends shivers down the spine. We're going to take a look at some recent news that truly embodies the ballet spirit â music, magic, and beauty. Music news for the balletic heart This week has brought us some divine news for our dancing souls. Thereâs a new record released from one of my all-time favourite composers - you'll be *swooning* to the delicate sounds of **"Piano Sonata No. 2 in A major"** by a charming little French composer, Claude Debussy. The CD has just come out on Naxos and is definitely worth your time. Now, picture a **Pink Tutu**, soft as a blush and with all the romantic elegance of a flower unfurling. Isn't it exquisite? But darling, every tutu needs its leotard. In this case, the **leotard is Debussyâs beautiful and subtle score**, and the tutu, **the vibrant performance of the young Italian pianist, Lorenzo Nucci**. Imagine it, the music flows, shimmering in its gentle melancholy, while Nucci plays, a dance of notes cascading like ribbons in the air, making a spectacle on the piano keys. Itâs breathtaking! **Did you hear about the new music by **Philip Glass** darling? It is absolutely breathtaking! His "**Satyagraha"**, which has its origins in Indian classical music, will be brought to life by The English National Opera this coming March. Glass is famous for his **hypnotic, rhythmic compositions** and I, for one, cannot wait to experience this new addition to his discography. It's simply not enough to have great ballet music, you need a superb conductor. Thatâs where a master of music like **James Conlon** steps in! The wonderful **Los Angeles Philharmonic** under the baton of the legendary James Conlon will be taking the **Royal Albert Hall** by storm next week with **Wagner's 'Tristan und Isolde'**. Wagnerâs soaring, epic, romantic music needs no introduction. Iâm practically counting down the days. Now wouldnât that be a fantastic ballet? It would need a story that captured the passions and complexities of the music, an impossible love story perhaps? And a scene with an entire chorus singing and dancing, to represent the chorus line! The chorus line⌠darling, the magic that a good chorus can weaveâŚitâs absolute heaven! Ballets news and other goings-on The National Ballet of Canada is staging " **The Sleeping Beauty" ** in Toronto and it's causing a stir. Why, they're even holding a gala with a **'Royal Night of the Dance'!** Imagine, dancing, sparkling, jewels, elegant dresses... pure, elegant, pure luxury. It would be heavenly! I'm imagining a shimmering pink dress, glittering like starlight, for that special occasion. Now, back to the actual performances â the ballet world has been busy recently. We had **a very glamorous performance of **The Sleeping Beauty** with the **Royal Ballet** in London, it simply floated along like a whisper on the wind. It is no surprise that the public is enthralled by it - what can I say? **Tchaikovskyâs genius is still alive and well**! Now, you can imagine my glee, a **dance-inspired perfume line** - a delightful surprise from the wonderful company of **LâOccitane** called â **LâOccitane en Provence â La Collection Eau de Parfumâ**. And my dears, youâll be **entranced by the beautifully evocative packaging** that evokes a delightful world of ballet! Itâs exquisite, every bottle, a masterpiece! And oh, how lovely! The wonderful ballet company of **Dance Theatre of Harlem** are having a truly magical week - they are staging **a vibrant adaptation** of **Cinderella** and **The Nutcracker**, with each show capturing the essence of its themes and characters in a **whirlwind of colour, emotion, and grace.** Imagine Cinderella dancing her way to the Prince's heart with a tutu that glitters like the Milky Way⌠ah, how magical! And speaking of dance-inspired design, my dears! Look what we have - the lovely, the wonderful **designer Michael Kors has brought to life an entire collection inspired by the Ballet** and itâs absolutely ravishing! The designs, inspired by **the grace, movement, and delicate fabrics**, are perfect for **adding a touch of elegance to any wardrobe**. I have a feeling that Michael Kors would approve of this **divine cocktail recipe**. Try it: **A dance-inspired cocktail for the ballet enthusiast** This delightful drink is **as fresh and sparkling as a ballet** itself. It's easy to prepare and absolutely stunning to watch. **You'll need**: * **2 oz. vodka** (Weâre using Stolichnaya, for a smooth finish). * **1/2 oz. Chambord** (Think berries and bubbles and youâll have it!). * **2 oz. grapefruit juice** * **Splash of cranberry juice** for that little dash of **magenta**. * **Sparkling wine or prosecco** * **Mint leaves**, **grapefruit wedge** * **Lemon twist** - an **optional flourish**, of course! * Cocktail shaker and chilled champagne flute Now, for the magic! **Prepare the flute** - **fill it with ice**, let it chill for about ten minutes to allow it to take on a *frosting* * **Combine the vodka, Chambord, grapefruit juice, and a dash of cranberry juice in the cocktail shaker** with some ice. * **Shake** it **vigorously** until **frosted** â remember, **vigorous, but elegant!** * **Strain the mixture into your chilled flute**, making it **shimmer like the dew on a flower**. * **Top it up with chilled prosecco**. * **Add a twist of lemon**. Our darling ballerinas are shining bright Hereâs some good news â two incredibly talented ballerinas have recently had exciting things happening: The wonderful **Polina Semionova**, formerly of the Staatsballet Berlin and the Hamburg Ballet, has recently been performing **Don Quixote** in Vienna with a partner who is, oh darling, one of the *prettiest* dancers you could ever hope to see: **Alexander Volkov**. I just *knew* **theyâd make a fantastic pair** - and I heard all those at the Opera were **enthralled** with this performance! **Alice Cotrubas,** is a truly divine ballet dancer. She was **performing at the Sadlerâs Wells Theatre**, and from what I hear it was *divine*. Now **she's at the Royal Ballet** and I hope to be lucky enough to get tickets. There is **an elegant grace to this beautiful dancer that captures my imagination** â and thatâs the **magic of the ballet** , isnât it? And while weâre on the topic of beauty, I was looking for a leotard for this stunning new pink tutu that just arrived â isnât that the most gorgeous colour? Imagine it on stage â simply magical! - It reminded me that I should go and take a look at **a recent photoshoot with an extremely talented dancer who looks ravishing in a sleek black leotard**: **Melissa Hamby**. The dance world canât resist her - and **we are all completely smitten by the beautiful woman, dancer, and photographer, *Marlena Theofilo* **- and I heard the latest collection of her **ballet-inspired photography** is utterly enchanting! Her photos capture **every graceful movement of the dancers, every shimmer of a tulle skirt, every leap and arabesque.** And I, for one, **am captivated by her images**, by the emotions she imbues in the photographs, and how each one **captures a moment of purest beauty, just like the ballet itself.** Well darling, you must excuse me, the lights are going down, and soon, the music will begin, and **I must go find a seat with a *splendid view*, a drink of sparkling wine and the pinkest tutu I can find**. The orchestra is about to start playing. **The curtain is going up, the lights are dimming, and the magic begins. It is an experience I can't miss, itâs a part of my very soul!**
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