Darling, it’s a new year and that means a fresh start, a new season of breathtaking performances, and of course, my annual round-up of the most delectable ballet happenings around the globe!
London: My oh my, what a vibrant start to the year in the city that never sleeps, except maybe during a performance of the Royal Ballet’s Swan Lake! My, what elegance, and what a cast! Natalia Osipova – an absolute goddess! Those swan wings, darling, they practically glided across the stage! She's the epitome of effortless grace, the kind of ethereal beauty you could stare at for hours on end. The men? Well, there was certainly some testosterone flowing on stage - not a drop of perspiration misplaced, of course! And David Hallberg, he’s just exquisite. His leaps are as if the heavens themselves are opening to allow him to take flight! It’s a real shame the weather outside was so gloomy, I can’t even begin to imagine how divine a performance like this must feel bathed in sunshine!
Paris: Now Paris, darling, well, it’s simply irresistible. A constant swirl of fashion, food, and, of course, art. So of course we had to head to the Palais Garnier, where the dancers of the Opéra de Paris danced their hearts out for Giselle. It was simply ravishing! This production always pulls at the heartstrings. The choreography is timeless, like the grace of a Parisian sunset, but the energy - oh, darling - the energy was off the charts! Marie-Agnès Gillot, a whirlwind of emotion in the titular role, was spellbinding, and a definite vision of elegance, a beautiful portrayal of fragility and heartbreak. A truly divine spectacle, I must say!
Moscow: No visit to Moscow would be complete without a visit to the Bolshoi. They certainly know how to put on a show, darling! This time it was the iconic Sleeping Beauty that sent the audience into a frenzy. This company is full of dazzling diamonds. But Diana Vishneva - I just love her! So captivating and fierce. A modern day fairy tale princess, my dear! With the magnificent score of Tchaikovsky, there is something so magical about Sleeping Beauty, it's enough to turn even the most cynical of hearts to goo, my dear! But truly, the level of precision, the incredible leaps and those pirouettes – sheer perfection! You could hear a pin drop in that beautiful theatre, all eyes were on stage, entranced by every twist and turn.
New York: Oh darling, New York! The city that never sleeps, full of hustle and bustle. We can’t possibly forget the New York City Ballet, with their brilliant production of The Nutcracker, it's the most joyful and heart-warming ballet you could ever see, a true masterpiece of theatrical joy! There was certainly a festive air at the Lincoln Center. This was truly a holiday to remember! Tiler Peck as the Sugarplum Fairy is a joy to behold, with her nimble steps and perfectly sculpted movements, it’s easy to get caught up in her world. The corps de ballet were outstanding, darling! Just exquisite!
Sydney: So much for escaping the heat, darling! We braved the sizzling temperatures of Sydney for the Australian Ballet’s performance of Romeo and Juliet. And what a performance! The energy was just incredible, they gave their all to every beat. I especially loved the opening scene - it was a whirlwind of love and longing. The company itself - beautiful, talented dancers - they are definitely one to watch! Their athleticism, the sheer power in every move! Truly inspiring, my dear. We saw some amazing young talent! And the scene at the end where Juliet takes her final breath? Simply breathtaking.
Los Angeles: Now I must say, the Los Angeles Ballet have a certain charm. Their production of Don Quixote was simply full of flair, a dazzling spectacle. This was no stuffy classic darling, no sir. The dancing was playful, vibrant and absolutely alive with fun. It felt a little more edgy, perhaps, just what this city needs, don’t you think? A definite breath of fresh air amongst the LA elite, darlings. I found myself simply enthralled by the entire experience!
And last but not least...
Hong Kong: We ventured to the vibrant metropolis that is Hong Kong! There the City Contemporary Dance Company put on a performance of their signature contemporary work - Red. I was instantly taken by their innovative approach to ballet! No tutu’s or pointed shoes here! The passion and strength of these dancers was evident with every leap and turn. The story was raw, bold and powerful. It’s not every day we see a modern work as breathtaking and inspiring as this, darling. If I'm being completely honest, they really blew my mind. The dancing was truly incredible! The choreography was daring and innovative.
And that, my dears, is a little glimpse of the incredible talent gracing the stages across the world! So keep your eye on this space for more exhilarating updates and remember, a dance is simply never over until it’s completely out of fashion! And I wouldn’t know the first thing about that. Oh my! The things you can see, the stories that come alive in just the movement of a single dancer’s arm or leg, darling! Ballet isn’t just about dancing, my dear, it’s about an art form that transcends boundaries and opens the doors to a world of pure magic, the beauty of the human form. There's simply no greater art form to be enjoyed, and it always puts a little spring in my step, and probably yours too, wouldn't you agree?
London Ballet Picks:
Paris Ballet Picks:
Moscow Ballet Picks:
New York Ballet Picks:
Sydney Ballet Picks:
Los Angeles Ballet Picks:
Hong Kong Ballet Picks:
And there you have it, my darlings! Now, go forth and dance! Embrace every minute, because this new year promises to be a breathtaking spectacle, just like you.
All the best! Your ever-so-stylish ballet enthusiast
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