AI Ballet Review 444

April is in the Air Oh darling, spring is most definitely sprung and what better way to celebrate this most delightful time of year than with a plethora of absolutely exquisite ballet productions around the globe! The season promises some truly thrilling experiences for the discerning balletomane, from the classic masterpieces of the past to the breathtaking creations of the modern dance world. Darling, you just won't want to miss out on a single one! Let me begin with my absolute *must-see* event: the magnificent revival of **Giselle** at the Royal Opera House in London, running through April. It's a truly enchanting production. You know darling, it just takes your breath away every single time. They say **Giselle** is the quintessential Romantic ballet and I absolutely agree. It's all swirling tulle, heart-wrenching emotions, and exquisite dancing. You just simply adore seeing it! My dear friend, *Natalia Osipova,* is absolutely incandescent as the ethereal Giselle, her lightness and purity captivating the heart. It was simply sensational! Of course, my absolute favourite scene remains that ghostly pas de deux between the two *Wilis* and this year was no different, absolutely stunning. And let’s not forget *David Hallberg* as the villainous Albrecht - a performance of brooding intensity that just kept you captivated. Darling, it's truly a timeless masterpiece. Oh! and let’s not forget to mention the magnificent costumes by *Martina Chaplin*! A simple but very striking design, darling. And that white gauze - I do love white gauze. But then there's the *Paris Opera Ballet's* presentation of **Romeo and Juliet**, a more modern ballet experience but darling, it’s just so intense! And again, *the story* – it is an absolute timeless classic and of course, they just don't get any better than *Prokofiev* to set it all to music! The production itself is daringly beautiful, with contemporary lighting, and set designs, you know, modern yet evocative! And *Svetlana Zakharova* as Juliet, her performance is absolutely captivating! And when I tell you she embodies youthful love and innocent beauty, well, you simply just *have* to see it for yourself. The *corps de ballet* is incredible too - *amazingly* disciplined, it's truly impressive. Oh and *Alexandre Hambrey*’s *Romeo*, *charming* - really and truly one of the best I've seen! But dearie me! The highlight for me, the actual highlight *must* be *Rudolf Nureyev*’s *choreography* for the final, emotional moments. My word! I literally have goosebumps! And of course, the famous balcony scene, so simple and so powerful - it truly takes your breath away. Meanwhile, in the *City of Angels*, the Los Angeles Ballet is showcasing a captivating *modern interpretation* of **The Sleeping Beauty*. Yes! It is a little *unexpected* in a very good way! They've injected a vibrant and modern feel to a traditional classic! I must confess, it’s a delightful twist on the familiar! With inventive lighting and breathtaking costumes that, well, it *makes the whole story feel absolutely alive again!* Darling, it's the absolute epitome of ballet! I'm off to *New York* at the end of the month, which promises to be just *extra* special! Firstly, I simply *cannot* miss *The New York City Ballet’s* *Spring Gala*, and trust me when I tell you it is *legendary*! I mean, every year, they feature an *amazing* programme with pieces by **Jerome Robbins**, **George Balanchine**, **Christopher Wheeldon**, you know, *the greats*! Oh my word, the choreography and the sheer power of the dancers, simply phenomenal. Of course, it's *all about the dancing* with their wonderful principals and the *stellar corps de ballet*, you just can’t miss it! The *Gala* always kicks off the *Spring Season* in *New York*, but let's not forget the *NYCB*’s *Ballet Jewels*. You just have to love these **beautiful and evocative works of *Ballet Jewels*. It's just *so good*, every year, year after year! The intricate choreography by *Balanchine* based on, you know, pieces like *Chabrier’s Suite Bourrée*, *Tchaikovsky’s Serenade*, it just captivates you completely and of course, let's not forget that iconic *Stravinksy's Jeu de Cartes*. It’s so theatrical and wonderfully elegant with all those lovely cards as costumes. *Marvelous*. And *Diana Vishneva* and *Joseph Gomes* *completely* stealing the show, *sensational* - they simply don’t come any better than that. I know you are going to be so excited about the *latest* production of **La Bayadère** at the *Kirov Opera and Ballet*, now *The Mariinsky Theatre*, in St Petersburg. Darling, **La Bayadère**! *It's an absolute masterpiece* of a ballet and they've really just been going to town on these production and it's just spectacular. The entire production of **La Bayadère** is just breathtaking, from the sumptuous costumes and stage design - darling they've really pulled out all the stops, just beautiful - to the incredible, truly incredible performance from *Uliana Lopatkina* as *Nikia*, my dear, simply flawless! Her *grace and lightness*, *the most beautiful dancing* I have seen. This, darling, is *a real must see*, and especially *for* *anyone* who has only ever seen it on film. I remember that amazing ballet performance in *Bollywood* a couple of years back, *fantastic!* This just adds *a whole new dimension*! And while in Russia, there’s one final, absolutely *must see* and the one we’ve been *waiting for*, that’s right! It’s *Boris Eifman*’s *“Russian Hamlet”*, an interpretation of Shakespeare's *tragedy*. And I *do* know that *some* *people* are *not so sure* about Mr Eifman - and of course *we all* *have our preferences* - but for me, he just *knows* what he is doing. This piece is simply spectacular with a level of theatricality and passion you'll find simply *irresistible*, you know what I mean? I *loved* the story that they have put together and of course, that amazing set, absolutely stunning! *I love* the use of props, they're absolutely perfect and make you forget all about the story you've already *heard of* - It was absolutely beautiful. A complete and utter work of genius - really *a show to tell all your friends about* Fashion Fix A ballet dancer, even at home, just *has to* have some serious *chic* style. But we just cannot do without a *dash* of *comfortable sophistication* in those early morning barre classes, can we! So here's what we'll all be *wanting* for our *Spring Ballerina Look* this year - just fabulous! For that stylish *in-studio* *look,* we *simply have* to *embrace* some wonderful new sportswear. The key for a good warm-up and cool down is a *high-performance, super breathable* range of tops, leggings and joggers that are both flattering *and* comfy, no one wants to be bothered in their practice, *right*?. The new range of *yoga pants* *with mesh panelling* by *Beyond Yoga*, just darling. It's just what you want in a workout outfit! Of course, no ballerina *ever* needs to think about a ballet *bun* being too tight because the amazing hairband by *Silk and Grace* are made in the most comfortable *bamboo*! It just *holds your hair perfectly* all day, and keeps you feeling *cool* Then of course, we have to go *off duty* in the most chic way *ever*! We're absolutely *smitten* with these new designs from the *Gucci* collection - beautiful long-sleeved shirts that just make you feel so stylish - just darling. *Silk tops* in the most divine floral patterns are absolutely perfect! Darling, there are also amazing cashmere sweaters and knitted cardigans for that extra *sophisticated touch*, the perfect *throw on* for the end of an evening, when the air becomes crisp after all that *performance*. Of course, no ballerinas should ever be without a stunning *leather jacket*, because what is *more chic* than a great, buttery *leather jacket* with some *perfect, black, skin-tight* leggings *and killer heels*! My new *favourite* pair is a black *silk jumpsuit* that simply flows perfectly as I walk! Of course, *no chic ballerinas would be caught dead* without a fantastic bag - we have got to have *somewhere to carry those extra pair of shoes* and our make-up, right?! This month we simply adore this *new design* from *Chanel*, you know the little quilted design in black. So elegant, darling. The chain handles *add just the right* *touch of glamorous flair*. It goes *everywhere* - to ballet rehearsals, out on the town and to *even more ballet shows*! Well, darling, until next time, we have to run! But *make sure you* check out some of *our * favourites, we think you will absolutely adore them. You can’t miss out, darling! *Don’t let me catch you in an outfit you are not totally comfortable in!* It simply will not do, and definitely, absolutely *not for the stage!* And let me tell you *it's all about style, it's about personality, and darling - we simply love seeing you* *have the most wonderful and fabulous April!*