Oh my god, you guys, I’m so excited to be back in Madrid for the Winter Ballet season! It feels like coming home. It’s freezing outside, but the minute I step into a theatre, all I can think about is how much I love those big, sparkly, voluminous tutus, especially when the stage lights are blasting on them, creating shimmering pools of glittery joy on the stage floor. Honestly, I’m basically a real-life princess living her best life in Tutuland! 👑
This year is already shaping up to be legendary, and I'm buzzing to share my top picks with you.
First up, I’m absolutely loving the Royal Ballet of Spain's rendition of “Swan Lake.” It's an absolute classic, and they’ve given it a stunning contemporary twist with a captivating score, phenomenal lighting design, and an unexpected amount of smoke, all of which created a genuinely spooky and mysterious mood that was utterly divine. It's one of those productions where you feel like you’re floating away in the most magical, mystical world – and honestly, who wouldn’t want to spend an evening in a fantastical land like that? Especially in the heart of winter, where reality is cold and bleak outside! The dancers themselves were exquisite; those beautiful, delicate extensions, the incredible lifts, the passion in every movement – simply captivating! My absolute favourite, though, was *Sofia, the beautiful swan. * She embodied the role so perfectly, you could feel every emotion, every nuance, and the graceful artistry that came from her every movement was enough to leave you utterly mesmerized. You honestly had to have seen it to believe it, the level of commitment and talent is astounding!
Next, I’m completely smitten with “The Nutcracker”, a classic production performed by the Madrid City Ballet at the stunning Teatro Real. This one’s always been a bit of a festive favourite for me – even as a little girl, it completely blew my mind. And watching it now, with all the wonderful dancers in those gorgeous costumes, and that perfectly whimsical stage design, it really did bring out that little childlike wonder in me again! It's honestly the perfect feel-good winter production. Watching those little girls in their sweet, sparkly tutus as they twirl and hop like adorable ballerinas makes you smile from ear to ear. It was actually incredibly emotional to see them, filled with so much innocent passion, giving their hearts and souls to their performances. I must admit, watching all that sugar plum fairy magic nearly gave me a sugar rush, and the Christmas spirit this production conjures up is unparalleled. Honestly, what better way to escape the winter blues than by transporting yourself to a world where Christmas magic fills the air and snowflakes twirl to a disco beat? And don't even get me started on that magical Land of Sweets!
This brings me to another amazing ballet that I cannot recommend enough – the Madrid Royal Opera's production of “ Carmen.” * Honestly, what can I say, this ballet simply floored me! The score, the story, the overall passion of it all – everything was just incredibly captivating. Especially *the story – I actually fell head over heels for the character of Carmen! Such a bold, intense character, breaking free of conventions, refusing to be contained – her spirit, her passion was totally relatable and had me totally mesmerized. And the music, oh my goodness, the music! That operatic score filled me with a deep, passionate emotion that truly resonated with my own fiery spirit. I am obsessed with Carmen right now! I’ve been playing the soundtrack over and over. (Spoiler alert – if you’re one of my best friends, you’re probably sick of hearing it. 😉
Also, you guys need to know that every production has been so stylish, and that’s definitely saying something. It's really inspiring to see such gorgeous tutus, gorgeous costumes, the incredible talent and passion, the spectacular lighting and scenery. And not to mention, the fabulous people-watching. Oh yes, I adore seeing all the stylish fashionistas in their most chic winter attire, sipping champagne and gazing at those magical, dreamy figures dancing on stage. You know what they say, a bit of balletic grace can certainly go a long way.
If you're planning on visiting Madrid this winter, or even just need a little dose of culture, elegance, and fairy dust, I cannot recommend a winter ballet trip to Madrid highly enough. It’s the perfect antidote for the winter blues and honestly, what’s better than spending the chilly nights under the twinkling chandeliers, gazing at the grace and magic of world-class ballet, all in the luxurious setting of these magnificent historic theatres? It's pure magic. And yes, I'm not just saying that because it's winter; this is something I feel deeply passionate about. These amazing productions are a testament to the artistry, the magic and the power of dance, a reminder that, despite the colder temperatures and sometimes even bleakness, we have the power to light up our hearts and remind ourselves of all the beauty the world has to offer.
So what are you waiting for? Head on down to Tutuland, and let’s revel in the glory of winter ballet together! ✨
tutuwinter #tutuseason