Darling, it's March and the world of ballet is simply ablaze with excitement! The air crackles with anticipation, whispers of tours, and a flurry of new productions, making every pirouette seem just a little more dazzling.
From the gilded grandeur of Vienna to the whimsical, cobblestoned streets of Prague, I've been flitting about like a butterfly, soaking up the artistry, the passion, the simply breathtaking beauty. And, darlings, what a month it has been!
My adventures began with a rather delightful foray into Vienna, where I was swept up in the whirlwind that is the Vienna State Opera. Now, you all know how I adore the classics, and the sheer power of **Swan Lake** here was simply enthralling. The corps de ballet moved with such precision, it was like watching a single, majestic being, and the drama in the final act, oh darling, I could barely contain myself. The ballerina in the role of Odette, her ethereal elegance was quite ravishing. I even saw a glimpse of the charming, mischievous Prince Siegfried afterwards in the cafe - a sweet soul! And the music! Such heavenly perfection! You wouldn't catch me missing this gem, darlings, even for a trip to the best vintage shops on Mariahilfer Straße.
From the gilded elegance of Vienna, I took flight to the heart of Prague, where the magic of **The Nutcracker** awaits at the National Theatre. Oh, darlings, to be swept away on such a magical journey, to dream of sugarplum fairies, and twirling snow-flakes! This production is truly enchanting, and a little whimsical touch that you won't find anywhere else. Their version of the Rat King is quite the creature of nightmare! Oh, it simply leaves one speechless! The costumes are so breathtakingly beautiful. I'm rather obsessed with a darling little bonnet worn by a Sugarplum fairy – it's utterly enchanting! If you're in Prague, a must-see, I say!
Next, my travels led me to the bustling city of Paris, where a perfectly curated exhibition awaits at the Musee d'Orsay: "La Danse: A Century of Movement." A delightful ode to the artistry of ballet through history, filled with sketches, paintings, and exquisite photographs, each one a testament to the incredible power and beauty of dance. One stunning portrait of Diaghilev's "The Ballets Russes" dancers took my breath away – simply glorious. There was even a delightful exhibit of costume designs. A marvelous chance to peek behind the curtain of this world, if you will, and truly see the genius that goes into bringing ballet to life!
In London, the Royal Ballet Company at the Royal Opera House was a delight. A simply stellar performance of **Sleeping Beauty**, full of technical brilliance and captivating stagecraft. The opening scene, with the magical spell falling upon the entire court, gave me shivers down my spine, and Aurora, my dearest, simply a divine creature in this role. Oh, her pirouettes are truly heavenly. And the choreography, a work of pure artistic genius! There was a divine little girl in the role of Princess Aurora's companion, so sweet and adorable! My little sister would be quite jealous. You must go see this!
I even enjoyed a most delightful glimpse of **Don Quixote** at the English National Ballet, and my, what a whimsical, engaging performance. Oh, those cheeky jester-dancers, they almost stole the show, their little tap steps a welcome dose of playfulness in the sometimes overly-serious world of ballet. But what I really enjoyed was the final scene, the dancing gypsies, full of fiery passion and unbridled emotion - I nearly burst into applause at that spectacular finale!
Now, darling, the Royal Opera House was also the location for a special premiere: the world-famous Royal Ballet’s stunning revival of Kenneth McMillan's **Romeo and Juliet**, now restaged by Sir Kevin McKenzie, and I simply adore the romantic tragedy of Shakespeare and its exquisite translation to ballet! Oh, the star-crossed lovers and their dance of passion! A simply exquisite piece of art, dear reader, so moving! My heart ached as the lovers met their tragic fate, but I can’t resist it! This is truly ballet at its most powerful, most emotional height! A must see!
And let us not forget the wonderful American Ballet Theatre's visit to New York. I flew across the pond, eager for their grand production of **Giselle**. And let me tell you, the performance was utterly enthralling. This was a powerhouse performance by the company as a whole. I'm sure it would bring tears to even the most jaded eye! So beautifully danced and choreographed - simply phenomenal! What really stood out was the dancer in the role of Myrtha. Now, there's a goddess for you, perfectly evil, simply radiant! But of course, Giselle, oh, the depth of emotion that the ballerina brought to this role! The performance left me simply stunned. I even had a chance to grab a quick bite with some fellow dancers after, but, darling, it's nearly impossible to eat properly when you are surrounded by so much artistic beauty, is it not?
It’s always a treat to catch the dance shows in New York, especially those extraordinary dancers. I managed to squeeze in an afternoon at the gorgeous Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater for the ever popular **Revelations**. This dance show is simply mesmerizing and, of course, it is about celebrating beauty through African-American dance, as you know, and the costumes! They are a riot of color. It’s just joyous, darling! I highly recommend a night out at this amazing venue. It will leave you feeling invigorated, I can assure you!
But wait! There's more! I popped into the beautiful Bolshoi Theatre for a spectacular evening of ballet. **Don Quixote**, it was, and oh darling, what energy, what incredible dancing. It really felt like a whirlwind of Spanish fire and a symphony of movement, a complete celebration of life. Oh, the male dancers, strong and graceful, their jumps achingly high. It left me quite breathless.
You simply cannot miss the Bolshoi. What an exciting ballet world, eh? But, it wasn't all ballet, darlings. My trip also took me to London to experience the dazzling premiere of “Moulin Rouge”, based on the iconic film. Now, I've seen all the big Broadway shows, darling, and trust me when I say, this is a truly remarkable experience, absolutely sparkling! A riot of color, a delightful dance sequence - just as decadent as the movie. And the music, darlings, just divine!
Well, my darling, my journey is coming to an end, I must return to the practice barre! But what an exhilarating month of ballet it has been. And oh, what a reminder that the world of ballet is an exquisite tapestry of color, movement, and pure emotion - always evolving, always inspiring. This is why ballet will always hold a special place in my heart!