Oh darlings, it’s been simply *divine* to be at the Royal Opera House tonight for the premiere of "La Sylphide" - an absolute treat for the eyes, as always! Now, I know what you're thinking, *another* "La Sylphide", what's the fuss? But, trust me, this one was **something special**.
From the very first note of the music, I knew this would be a performance to remember. The orchestra, under the masterful direction of our ever-so-talented conductor, gave the score a breathtaking intensity. But the real highlight? Well, it has to be our darling **Sylvie Guillem**, who, quite simply, *owns* the role of **La Sylphide.**
As **La Sylphide,** Guillem danced with an ethereal beauty that simply took my breath away. Each movement, each gesture, seemed to flow so effortlessly. Her light, airy steps were a delight to watch, making me positively swoon. Her performance was like a whisper of magic on the stage.
Her costume, of course, was impeccable. We’re talking *dreamy* gauzy fabric and that classic **tutu** that every ballerina aspires to wear, just skimming the stage with every pirouette. A true fairytale! Honestly, I found myself longing to be **La Sylphide** myself.
As for the male dancer, oh, *darling,* he certainly lived up to the role! You see, every good sylph has to have a worthy **James**, right? In this production, **Laurent Hilaire** delivered, giving a solid, if somewhat brooding, performance, though I did notice the stage seemed to be on fire behind him for one particular *grand jeté*.
Speaking of "fire", my dear, let’s talk about **the set!** Talk about breathtaking! Imagine a moonlit glade with shimmering cobwebs that seem to hang from the ceiling, as if spun by magical creatures. A perfect, romantic backdrop to the tale of a mystical sylph and a lovestruck young man.
Now, some may argue, darling, that **"La Sylphide"** is a little outdated. *Passé*, you might say? Nonsense! This story about love, longing, and the tragic inevitability of human fate has a timeless quality. Even though I wasn’t there *when it premiered in 1832*, the choreography from the great Filippo Taglioni felt as fresh and as moving as ever. And *of course* there were all the little **choreographic details** that really added that *extra something special*.
Now, let’s be real, some moments, particularly in the second act, with the **witch**, were just a tad too dramatic and intense for my taste. It seemed rather theatrical for an otherwise **refined ballet** like this, *if you know what I mean*. But those are just tiny little criticisms that didn’t detract from the overall, utterly charming atmosphere of the performance.
Now, you might wonder about the **costumes**, and whether they truly fit the **aesthetic** of the show, *my dear*? And to that, I must confess that the *corps de ballet* dancers were wearing those **romantic-era style tutus**, *so divine*, but the rest, especially the women who danced with the **witch**, weren't very visually appealing.
But the performance *overall*? An **absolute triumph**! If you’re a dance devotee and looking for a dose of captivating beauty and exquisite artistry, do not, I repeat *do not*, miss "La Sylphide". This performance will definitely remain one of my absolute favorites for quite some time. And as always, darling, be sure to let me know what *you* think.