Itās officially tutu season in Rome! As the days grow shorter and the air chills, I can practically feel the magic swirling through the cobblestone streets and historic piazzas of this incredible city. The festive spirit isnāt just about twinkling Christmas lights and mulled wine though. No, for a true dance enthusiast like myself, it's the return of Rome's Winter Ballet season that really sets my heart aflutter.
I confess, I'm a bit obsessed with winter ballet. There's something about the glittering snowflakes, the hushed anticipation in the air, and the plush red velvet seats that gets me absolutely buzzing. And this year, the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma has outdone itself. It's like they sprinkled a generous helping of glitter and sparkle onto their repertoire, resulting in a dazzling line-up of performances that would make even a seasoned ballerina like myself gasp.
Firstly, letās talk about The Nutcracker. Now, I know, I know, you've probably seen it a thousand times before. But, this year's production was truly something special. The set was breathtaking, all swirling snowflakes and glistening silver. And the costumes? Pure fairytale fantasy, each more elaborate and captivating than the last. I almost wanted to grab the lead ballerina's sugarplum tutu and dance a jig right there on stage! (Letās be real, though, I probably wouldn't have landed a single pirouette, and the theatre management would have likely not been too happy.)
But the real star of the show was the music. It wasn't just the familiar Tchaikovsky melodies (although, let's be honest, you can't go wrong with Tchaikovsky), but a bold and vibrant orchestration that had everyone tapping their feet (even the people who tried to look too sophisticated to be caught dancing along!). The conductor was like a magician, conducting the music into a beautiful tapestry of emotion and excitement.
Another production that really caught my eye was the ballet version of Cinderella. Now, again, I know what you're thinking: āCinderella? Really?ā But trust me, this production had a serious sparkle. Forget the boring pumpkin carriages and boring old glass slippers, this version was about glimmering gowns, glittery transformations, and a wicked stepmother you could just imagine dancing in a club in a silver sequin dress and platform boots. (I bet that last one would be quite the show in itself. Perhaps I could do it in my blogā¦ I have to try those sparkly thigh-high boots I got for my birthday.)
Speaking of sparkle, did you catch The Sleeping Beauty at the Teatro Argentina? This wasn't your typical stuffy fairy tale rendition, this one felt more like a glamorous disco ball party. (Oh, how I wish they had invited me). The set was awash in colour, the costumes had a distinct 70s vibe with dazzlingly sparkly and fringed designs. Honestly, I was captivated and felt like I could have danced on the stage alongside those amazing ballerinas (though, like I said before, it would have likely not gone very wellā¦ let's keep that fantasy safely in my mind, shall we? )
Rome's winter ballet season wasn't just about grand productions though (although let's be honest, who doesn't love those big and showy ballet nights?!). There were a wealth of smaller, intimate productions happening all over the city too. I managed to catch a heart-wrenching rendition of Swan Lake at the Teatro Sistina, and let me tell you, the dancing was exquisite . There were those classical ballet performances, a staple for every ballet season, and also some new and innovative pieces too, such as the incredible choreographic ballet performance, āDream in the Fogā at the Sala degli Specchi. The entire place was turned into a magical and captivating dreamlike landscape.
But it wasnāt all about ballet in tutus, either (although tutus definitely do hold a special place in my heart). There were a few amazing modern and contemporary ballet performances too. One evening I was absolutely mesmerized by a groundbreaking contemporary ballet show called āPulseā - I'm not going to spoil the surprise, but let's just say it was all about the bodyās strength and energy. No tutu in sight, but plenty of power and emotion on stage. It was so exhilarating, it was like all that powerful energy flowed right into my heart and filled it with passion!
I am still floating on a cloud of ballet joy after my experiences in Rome. From the traditional classics to the more innovative pieces, the performances here have really highlighted just how powerful, emotive, and visually captivating ballet can be. The artists are talented beyond words and it truly felt like magic on stage.
Oh, and before I forget, I can't resist saying a few words about the ballet after-parties. I'm not sure what's more glamorous: watching the ballerinas floating across the stage with their long tutus, or catching up with them afterwards in the charming little wine bars and restaurants surrounding the theaters (I promise, my glass of sparkling wine stays strictly within the safety of the bar's tables!ā¦ Okay, maybe just a quick spin on the dance floor... maybe?).
And letās talk about fashion! My sparkling ballet flats, paired with my favourite pale pink cocktail dress, have definitely gotten their fair share of wear throughout the ballet season. Every night felt like an occasion. It's so amazing to see how Rome transforms during the winter months into a world of elegant ballet fashion.
This has been my winter ballet adventure, full of grace, glamour and a little bit of glitter, from the charming, historical, and majestic city of Rome. It is officially tutu season in Rome, and I wouldnāt want to be anywhere else in the world.
#tutuwinter #tutuseason #roma #balletlife #loveballet #dancer #balletfashion
