Oh darling, letâs dance!
Another month, another whirlwind of performances around the globe. This little black book, if you will, is bursting at the seams with artistic explorations and emotional triumphs. From the classical to the contemporary, the ballets Iâve witnessed this past month have had me gasping for breath, teetering on the edge of my seat, and absolutely, utterly bewitched.
Paris, darling, Paris. This month found me under the gilded chandeliers of the Opéra Garnier, surrounded by the glittering elite, to experience the exquisite revival of "Giselle." I dote on the romanticism of this ballet, its raw emotion wrapped in ethereal choreography, and this particular performance simply stole my breath away. Marie Agnes Gillot's Giselle was ethereal, her fragile beauty radiating a deep emotional depth that broke my heart. Partnered by the captivating Benjamin Pech, who held her with strength and sensitivity, the love story unfolded with such grace and power that I felt myself floating back to my seat as the curtain fell.
While I usually favor the traditional, I couldn't resist taking a chance on the more contemporary work, "Le Sacre du Printemps," at the ThĂ©Ăątre de la Ville. You know, darling, I can't tell a lie, I find the relentless drive and primal energy of this piece just intoxicating. The sheer athleticism of the dancers was breathtaking, and while some may find it jarring, I couldnât tear my gaze from the masterful use of dynamic movement, echoing the power and frenzy of Stravinskyâs music.
Speaking of jarring, my dear⊠Iâm simply positively *tickled* by the audacity of the young, exciting choreographer, Sasha Waltz, in her new creation, "S/he," staged at the Palais Garnier in Vienna. A daring blend of movement, light, and technology, this ballet delved into themes of gender identity and human fragility in a way that left me buzzing for days afterwards. While the critics might argue, darling, that the work is too experimental, I'll argue for its bold exploration of the human condition.
From the European capitals, we dart across the Atlantic, my darlings, to New York City, where the city that never sleeps also never fails to inspire. This month I felt a wave of nostalgia at the New York City Ballet's performance of "Serenade" by George Balanchine. Classic, yes, but never, ever, *passe.* The ballet still sings with exquisite lyricism, its elegant phrasing and intricate formations still holding my gaze after all these years.
Speaking of "Serenade," the New York City Ballet has made its mark with its commitment to a "revival," darling, if you will. This month saw a brilliant re-interpretation of Jerome Robbinsâ "West Side Story," now a beloved ballet in its own right. I had the privilege of watching Tiler Peck as Maria, her pure elegance combined with a fierceness of expression that truly brought the tragic heroine to life. This production truly resonated with its relevance to our world - that aching balance of youthful love and enduring societal conflicts that we all wrestle with.
I confess, I was utterly captivated by the dynamic artistry of Alonzo King LINES Ballet at San Franciscoâs Curran Theatre. Their production of âThe Architecture of Absenceâ was a kaleidoscope of colour and movement, each step like brushstrokes on an invisible canvas. You see, darling, this ballet went beyond pure aesthetics. It felt visceral, intimate, almost a personal conversation. There was an honesty and rawness to the choreography that made you truly see the soul of the dance.
While I may not always be drawn to the more modern interpretations, my heart was touched by the purity and emotionality of a work I saw at the Royal Ballet in London, "The Dream," based on Shakespeareâs "A Midsummer Nightâs Dream." I fell in love with the lyrical choreography, and particularly with Marianela NĂșñez's performance as Titania, her ethereal movements conveying both majesty and vulnerability. Yes, it is beautiful work, darling! The story unfolds seamlessly with each scene flowing into the next.
A moment for the modern, darlings, if you please! You might find me a bit more conventional, but âAfterLifeâ by the Birmingham Royal Ballet really resonated with me this month. It was at the Hippodrome Theatre and it really set me thinking. It's a bold and experimental ballet, which I do enjoy, but what I love even more, is how the choreographer, David Bintley, weaves his commentary on humanity and the passage of time, within this stunning framework of dance. There was one moment in particular, a sequence with chillingly graceful use of lighting and movement... It felt like I was watching my own anxieties laid bare, which is both unsettling and truly fascinating!
Speaking of a bit of a different "taste," a bit *spicier* darling, a new ballet that took the world by storm, "La Esmeralda," recently opened in Moscow, it is quite unlike anything I've ever seen. This ballet uses the rich colors, passionate dance and dynamic costumes to portray the tragic, yet mesmerizing, love story between the beautiful and mysterious Gypsy girl, Esmeralda and the gallant Captain Phoebus, amidst the bustling, thrilling, Parisian world.
You canât speak of contemporary ballets, darling, without taking a peek across the globe, to the astonishing work being done by choreographers in Asia. And I must mention, "Snow in Midsummer," by the legendary Japanese choreographer, Suzuka Hashimoto. Presented at the Seibu Theater in Tokyo, this is not a dance ballet in the classic sense, it is truly a meditation on the human condition. It reflects on the fragility of life and how moments of beauty and heartbreak coexist. This stunning work, with its subtle use of costumes, movement and sound, is a triumph of choreography and a moving reminder that there are a thousand stories yet to be told, a thousand languages through which we can dance our truth.
But I do not think we must confine ourself to the traditional format, now, do we, darlings? "Les Yeux D'Or," by the American Dance Theater at New York's Joyce Theater, is a brilliant fusion of contemporary dance, ballet and performance art, that challenges everything we think we know about the human form. This ballet is more than just a story; it is an experience, an emotion, a thought-provoking exploration of our shared human experience, a little less rigid than classical ballet, and a bit more free. The use of light, shadow and space, coupled with its strong visual aesthetic and bold thematic exploration have kept me thinking long after the curtain came down.
Now, darling, I must tell you, one thing that made this month simply magical, was witnessing the return of the great ballerina, Olga Smirnova, to the stage, and she truly lit up the St. Petersburg Mariinsky Theatre with her exquisite performance in "Swan Lake". I will not even pretend to be objective on this one, darlings. It was such a treat for my eyes, she really moves with an effortless grace that left me in absolute awe. This is classical ballet at its very finest, you will not be disappointed! The beauty of her dancing and the passion with which she tells this age-old story, made it a true treat to be reminded of this most exquisite performance!
Of course, we cannot forget, darlings, about the magical world of dance and performance art beyond ballets. This month, I felt a true artistic epiphany at the Guggenheim in New York, experiencing âAn Audience of One,â by the choreographer and performer, Meredith Monk. It's an experiential piece of art. Yes, darling, I've experienced the best of opera and theatre, and let me tell you, this performance truly shook me to the core. Monk, with her raw talent and vulnerability, and this performance truly took me on an intimate and profound journey, filled with heartbreak and the beautiful, unexpected twists of life, a performance both lyrical and powerful, it felt like I was experiencing a story only mine. Yes darling, this was a performance that really stayed with me.
Itâs always so fulfilling, darling, to experience this rich, diverse world of dance, and the sheer energy it evokes. As we step into this new month, I'm feeling positively brimming with excitement, a touch more elegant, and ready for a new set of unforgettable artistic encounters. And remember darlings, it's not just about the spectacle, though it can be absolutely breathtaking. It's the stories, the emotions, and the shared experience, a reminder that we are not just a world divided, but a global community, linked by this art form.