AI Ballet Review 492

**Oh my darlings!** The world of ballet is abuzz with so much excitement this month! I must tell you all about the divine productions I've witnessed. **Let's talk!** * **A Paris Affair** First stop, the City of Lights. The Bolshoi came to Paris, my dears, and oh, what a sensation! Imagine the sheer power and grandeur of a classic like "Swan Lake", amplified by the sheer drama and history of the Palais Garnier. You could feel the ghosts of ballerinas past swirling with us, adding a frisson of magic. * **Tutu & the Tiara** Speaking of glamour, I simply couldn't resist the divine couture showcased in the opening of **"La Traviata" **at the Opéra de Paris. You know me, I adore a good feathered hat and, oh, darling, did the costumes have feathers! The story, my dears, tragic, yes, but the ballet was a triumph of emotional grace and elegant heartache. **Perfectly Parisian.** The dancers? Beyond impeccable. So effortless, so perfectly poised. * **Moscow Magic** Next, my lovelies, I jetted to Moscow! You see, "Romeo and Juliet" is my eternal weakness and I had to witness the Kremlin Ballet’s take on it. Oh, the sheer power of those leaps and the heart-wrenching desperation of Romeo’s despair…pure brilliance. You know, darling, it was in a beautiful theatre, a stark contrast to the cold, imposing setting of the Kremlin walls outside. This truly heightened the intimacy and intensity of their tragic love story. * **And Now for Something Completely Different** Well, you see, the contemporary scene is just exploding and I couldn’t miss "Body and Soul", an experimental masterpiece at Sadler’s Wells in London. Now, you know me, I do like my traditional ballet, but darling, the movement was astounding. This production challenged all preconceptions about the body’s capabilities and its expression through dance. I felt, oh, how utterly avant-garde it all was. A touch of whimsy with an element of edgy chic - what’s not to love? * **London Calling** Staying in London for a bit, I simply *had* to see "Giselle". My darlings, it is a classic and at Covent Garden it is, simply perfection! This story never fails to get to me, you see, a poignant tale of love and heartbreak, played out against a backdrop of mystical forest scenery. The ethereal beauty of the ballet and the powerful choreography left me speechless, truly moved. And, the costumes were divine! All flowing chiffon and intricate detail. They were simply *gorgeous*! * **A Dance-Off in The States** Of course, a visit to the US wouldn't be complete without indulging in the sheer magnificence of American ballet! I popped in to see "Sleeping Beauty" in San Francisco, which was quite frankly *ravishing* and "The Nutcracker" in New York with the legendary New York City Ballet. I know, I know, such a cliché! But darling, nothing can compare to the pure joy of this holiday tradition. Watching all those young ballerinas fluttering across the stage…*divine*. **Darling, a Quick Note** As the spring blooms, there is so much to look forward to in the world of dance. **I've heard whispers about** a remarkable modern piece being performed in Milan next month…oh, it promises to be sensational! The name is slipping my mind, though...*something* with *Fantasia* in it. I’ll keep you posted, my loves. And be sure to keep your eyes peeled, darling. The best dance experiences, as with most things in life, are always those stumbled upon, unexpected, just begging to be discovered.
**Until next month then! Ciao!**