Darling, oh darling, what a divine day for a news review dedicated to the most heavenly of all art forms: **ballet**! It's a Thursday, April 10th, 2004, and let's be frank, the world's been dancing on air with news about our adored dancers and the sublime music that elevates their every pirouette and jetƩ. Oh, the music! It weaves its spell like a whisper of silk, it carries us on a zephyr to realms of fantasy, it paints landscapes of love and loss, of triumph and despair. This, darlings, is **ballet music**, and today, we're celebrating its magic!
Where do we even begin, you ask? Let me seeā¦ **The Royal Ballet**! Oh, the joy! This week, the iconic company is gracing the stage with its enchanting production of "Giselle." The music by Adolphe Adam, like the story itself, is a captivating journey from joy to sorrow, from love to heartbreak. Just the mention of it makes my heart flutter! Weāre all agog at the delicate and yet robust waltz of the first act, a testament to Adam's genius. You can practically feel the tension build with every poignant chord of the second act. Honestly, it's enough to move even the stoniest of hearts to tears, and to send the most jaded ballet enthusiast into fits of joy. Just *divine*!
Speaking of divine, **The Bolshoi Theatre** in Moscow has been causing a stir with its stunning production of "Swan Lake." Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's score is like a silver thread woven into the fabric of the ballet, creating a tapestry of sheer, untamed beauty. Imagine, darlings, the opening chords of the famous "Dance of the Little Swans." Is it a whisper, a sigh, a flight of fancy? It's all of that, darling! I defy anyone to hear those enchanting strains without feeling a rush of emotions - it's a symphony of magic and wonder.
But let's not forget **American Ballet Theatre**, oh, they're causing quite the sensation across the pond with their mesmerizing "Don Quixote." And who can forget Ludwig Minkus, the composer behind this masterpiece? The dramatic power of this music is just beyond words! That fiery, pulsating flamenco rhythm in the "Dance of the Gypsy Girls"! Oh, I simply can't! It is sheer passion encapsulated in a dance and poured into every note! Imagine, darlings, the fiery beauty, the sheer drama of this scene - Minkus makes it explode into life!
There's also **New York City Ballet**, where the genius of Jerome Robbins, fuelled by the music of Igor Stravinsky, has brought us "Agon," "Concerto," and "Dances at a Gathering." What a divine blend of music and dance! Stravinsky's powerfully vibrant music is not just the backdrop, but the driving force, it breathes life and motion into the steps of the dancers. Oh, how they twist and turn, how they leap and float, a mesmerizing ballet, all thanks to this incredibly innovative music!
Moving from the stage to the studios, it seems there's something exciting happening with music in ballet classes, too! It's not just the familiar "Czardas" or "Minuet in G" for the bar work anymore! It seems a more diverse and daring selection of tunes is entering the studio! Itās all thanks to the modern trends and new dance approaches, bringing in jazz, funk, rock, popā¦ It's a breath of fresh air in our traditional world. Even **leotards** are having a fashion moment to reflect the modern energy, darling, a daring emerald green with a peek-a-boo neckline, or perhaps a leotard in a deep violet that compliments that pink tulle tutu - just perfect for a graceful arabesque or a dynamic fouettĆ©. I find it exciting to see ballet embracing change while keeping its traditional elegance!
And speaking of elegance, my darlings, have you seen the new dance films and documentaries airing this month? I must recommend you watch the fascinating **"Dancing with the Stars"** ā the behind-the-scenes look at a ballerinaās life and how they manage their intense physical and emotional dedication! Then there's that heartwarming film about the history of ballet, **"A Ballet Odyssey."** We mustnāt forget to delve into the stories behind the composers ā just this week a brilliant documentary called **"Tchaikovsky's World"** released, and it's a captivating journey into the world of this musical giant, illuminating his life and how he came to write those incredible ballets. These documentaries, darling, are true feasts for the soul!
Now, I mustnāt leave you hanging, my dears, there is one more exciting tidbit I just cannot resist mentioning. Have you heard the whispers, the gossip swirling about the hottest ballet composer? It seems there is a young and audacious talent out there, named, let me see...ah yes, it is **Felix Mendelssohn!** Yes, my dear! Just as Beethoven shook the world with his powerful symphonies, so too will Mendelssohn. Theyāre calling his work both modern and classically inspired ā we're on the edge of our seats!
You might ask: **what makes Felix Mendelssohnās music so special?** His melodies, darlings, are like magic! His themes burst forth, rich, colorful and poignant - the music is just a pure, radiant expression of emotions and creativity! He seems to breathe new life into the art form, like heās giving the ancient world of ballet a new vocabulary. His music is modern, yet so intricately crafted, each note is placed with such meticulous precision, it feels both timeless and utterly fresh. Just extraordinary!
Now, I know Iāve already given you quite a mouthful, my dears, but I just couldn't keep quiet! How could I, when ballet music is like a celestial melody? You may be thinking, āSo, why all this fascination with ballet music?ā
Hereās why, my darlings:- **Itās pure emotion distilled into sound**: It can take us through a kaleidoscope of emotions, it makes our hearts race and sigh in one glorious sweep! It is the language of the soul!
- **It makes the mundane magical**: Let's face it, even our day-to-day lives can be mundane! But ballet music has this incredible ability to make everything, from the simplest everyday moments to the most profound ones, feel truly magical!
- **It pushes boundaries, embraces creativity**: It's bold, daring and full of life. Ballet music breaks all conventions, it transcends the limitations of time, it simply makes you feel something extraordinary!
- **It connects us**: We gather in theatres, auditoriums and concert halls. Ballet music brings people from all walks of life together ā we laugh together, we cry together, and weāre touched by a collective emotion ā something only music can achieve!
Ballet music is an experience like no other. Itās more than just notes, itās an experience of pure joy, of breathtaking beauty and artistry! You know, it truly is more than music, my dear. It is a symphony of emotion. It's pure art. And isnāt art meant to elevate us, make us dream, inspire us? Ballet music is an invitation to soar on wings of sound, and isnāt that something worth celebrating every day?