Darling, let me tell you, June is positively brimming with exquisite ballet, both at home and abroad! From the grandeur of the Bolshoi to the chic Parisian salons, the world of dance is positively ablaze with breathtaking artistry. As always, the crème de la crème, darling, are the ballet greats, but one shouldn’t underestimate the sheer exuberance and passion of rising stars - their fresh energy is quite infectious!
Naturally, I start with the jewel in the crown, the Royal Ballet, a bastion of elegance and tradition. They absolutely stunned with their recent performance of Giselle at the Royal Opera House. You know I’m not one for clichés, but darling, this production simply had me speechless. The ethereal Alina Cojocaru as Giselle, so tragically innocent, her performance so deeply moving, a real triumph for our darling Alina! And then there was the Prince, so captivating, so strong, his dance matched the strength of his devotion for her - it simply melted my heart. Of course, the Corps de Ballet were breathtaking, their execution perfect, like the choreography was an extension of their very beings - they truly embodied the innocence of the village and the ghostly ethereal world of the Wilis. My dear, you’d simply have to see it to believe it!
I had the absolute pleasure of attending the Ballet de l'Opéra National de Paris in the utterly exquisite Salle Garnier, the gilded chandeliers a vision of splendor! I was so completely bewitched by the ballet company's captivating rendition of Swan Lake. The costumes, darling, you wouldn’t believe them, absolutely sumptuous. Our magnificent étoile Sylvie Guillem's dual roles were truly astounding - her grace in the White Swan is something to behold, a feathered embodiment of pure, delicate innocence, then in an instant, her intensity as the Black Swan was breathtakingly menacing and absolutely captivating. I tell you, I felt mesmerized from the first twirl! You couldn't take your eyes off her. It’s clear that she's in a league of her own, utterly sublime!
On a trip to New York I discovered something truly exquisite at the American Ballet Theatre. A young dancer, Natalia Osipova, I’d never heard of her, but she was simply stunning as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake. Her fluidity, so graceful and yet strong, it left me quite breathless! You know I'm partial to new talent. This girl, she is going to be a force to be reckoned with in the world of ballet. Mark my words! And of course, the performance itself was sensational - every detail meticulously orchestrated. But darling, the costume designs were a joy to behold. The Black Swan, simply breathtaking - the feathered ensemble and that stunning crimson dress, oh my, I nearly swooned. And the White Swan’s feathered wings were simply divine. You’ll be seeing a lot of these fabulous costume designs featured in the pages of ‘Vogue’ in the coming months I assure you!
Now, darling, no one does grand ballet quite like the Bolshoi Ballet. It’s no surprise then that I found myself in Moscow last month for their glorious production of La Bayadère. The sheer grandeur and opulence were something to behold. A lavish costume extravaganza that will have your breath hitched in your throat. I was entranced by the costumes – oh darling, the sparkle! So very decadent, perfectly suited to the majestic artistry of the dancers. Their impeccable precision, the energy they displayed it simply made for a performance that had me utterly swept off my feet. Such technical prowess combined with such expressive artistry, it was utterly unforgettable. And of course, the whole thing culminated in the iconic ‘Kingdom of the Shades’ scene, it was spectacular - a breathtaking display of movement and emotion, an absolutely glorious tableau. This performance truly made for a most satisfying evening.
Beyond the grand old ballets, however, darling, I must say, contemporary dance is certainly pushing the boundaries in new and unexpected ways. You just can't write it off. You see it all the time now. Some of these contemporary ballet pieces have left me utterly speechless. One example, a work by William Forsythe for the Ballet Frankfurt. You simply have to see it! The artistry, the use of space, the way his dancers embody his concept so brilliantly - it’s captivating, edgy, and thrillingly avant-garde, just what you need to keep things fresh and exciting. There’s so much energy, so much expression - it truly had me utterly mesmerized. These innovative choreographers are certainly shaping the world of ballet as we know it!
But ballet is not merely limited to the stage, darling. This year is marking the launch of a fascinating new multimedia performance titled ‘Dance Beyond’. Imagine ballet, combined with digital artistry and cutting edge projection technologies - a groundbreaking collaboration for a new generation of audiences. You just have to see this. We can watch ballets projected onto city walls! It's about bringing art to a new audience. It’s not simply about recreating old works, it’s about forging new paths, a fresh, energetic expression. That is the genius of the ‘Dance Beyond’ creators.
Now, it’s no surprise that such a captivating world inspires an exciting new generation of dancers. These young performers, the new blood as they say, have got the drive and the ambition, I have seen a number of talented dancers from prestigious academies in London and New York all over the world performing and gaining recognition, making a real splash at competitions. A truly inspirational generation, all with unique personalities and distinct artistic voices.
Here in London, I was completely bowled over by English National Ballet's brilliant staging of The Sleeping Beauty, It was a magnificent spectacle with stunning costumes and enchanting choreography. And darling, their recent productions featuring the dazzling talents of Natalia Komarova and Alina Cojocaru are truly spectacular! These women are powerhouses - it's a joy to watch them dance. Their energy and precision, darling, they're absolutely magnificent!
Another name that should definitely be on everyone’s lips, darling, is American Ballet Theatre’s Ethan Stiefel. A rising star, he brings a freshness, a passion and such a beautiful sensitivity to every performance. Such an absolute joy to watch him dance!
And for a more contemporary twist on classical dance, darling, let me introduce you to the mesmerizing Rambert Dance Company, a treasure of modern dance based in Britain. The diversity in their productions will amaze you! So fresh, so innovative, always pushing boundaries. They truly represent the exciting direction modern dance is taking. Just incredible.
There’s truly a global resurgence in interest in ballet, you see it everywhere from the pages of glossy magazines to fashion trends inspired by dancers - ballet is more than just a spectacle, darling, it’s a lifestyle, an exquisite and glamorous part of our society, inspiring artists, fashion houses and the whole world over! We are in a golden age of ballet - exciting, thrilling and utterly beautiful!
If I could only leave you with one suggestion, darling, a must see - the legendary Bolshoi Ballet’s Swan Lake, absolutely incredible. Do it now! You can thank me later.
Before I go, however, a few other notable productions have graced the stage of dance this month:
- **Birmingham Royal Ballet**: Their ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ has become a critically acclaimed spectacle - a dazzling delight that’s perfect for families, darling. You will be transported to a wonderful Wonderland of creativity! And don't even get me started on their ‘The Nutcracker’ - so beautifully traditional and exquisite - a charming spectacle for children and adults alike. You won't be disappointed.
- **San Francisco Ballet** is not to be missed, their breathtaking production of Romeo & Juliet is truly spectacular! The powerful emotion and the sheer beauty and complexity of the choreography really had me moved. It's a show of immense beauty, passion, and talent, just incredible! You have to see this!
- **Nederlands Dans Theater** continues to challenge boundaries and amaze audiences. You absolutely have to experience their innovative and powerful contemporary performances.
- **The Paris Opera Ballet’s** exquisite interpretation of The Sleeping Beauty has me swooning - simply divine, a magnificent performance you don't want to miss.
My dears, you're already getting ahead of the trend. The world is falling in love with ballet, and what’s not to love? So put on your favourite pair of ballet flats, darling, and make a beeline for a theater near you, you will not regret it. You'll simply fall in love. Enjoy it, it's yours!