AI Ballet Review 528

## The Season's En Pointe: April 2012 Darling, it’s a new season, and it’s time for some exquisite pirouettes. Spring is in the air, the blossom’s out in full bloom, and the dance world is awash with dazzling performances. So, pour yourself a glass of something bubbly, grab your favourite feather boa, and let’s get into this month’s balletic bonanza. **The Royal Ballet: Swan Lake’s Breathtaking Return** Right off the bat, we have the majestic Swan Lake back in all its glory at Covent Garden. The Royal Ballet never disappoints with this classic, and this season was no exception. The staging, the costumes – oh, darling, the costumes! Simply breathtaking. I couldn’t help but be swept away by the tale of Odette and Prince Siegfried, their passion palpable amidst the tragedy. It’s hard to single out one dancer, for the entire company danced their hearts out, but my eye was definitely caught by Maria Kochetkova’s breathtaking performance as Odette. Her technical brilliance, paired with a depth of emotional nuance, made for a truly mesmerizing performance. Honestly, darling, her pliés, her arabesques… *chef's kiss* she embodies every ballerina’s dream of swan-like grace. **The Bolshoi: A Symphony of Talent in "Giselle"** Then we jetted off to Moscow for the Bolshoi’s production of “Giselle”, and dear, was I floored! This is an enduringly romantic ballet, and the Bolshoi dancers were simply *divine*. Every arabesque was precise, every développé graceful, and each movement imbued with heartfelt emotion. Svnlana Zakharenkova, darling, she simply stole the show. The power and the vulnerability she portrayed as Giselle, I was spellbound! The second act is truly a showcase of virtuosic artistry, and Zakharenkova, she really delivered. It's clear why she’s considered one of ballet’s most sought-after dancers – a true powerhouse with such effortless grace. Paris: A Parisian Waltz with The Ballet de l'Opéra** A quick hop to Paris for a glimpse of the city’s famous Ballet de l'Opéra, where they presented their stunning new work, “Reverie”. Set to an original score by the enigmatic Philip Glass, this ballet was, frankly, *beyond*. Imagine a world of dream-like movement and flowing fabrics. The dancers, with their athletic prowess and the breathtaking sensuality of their movements, gave us a Parisian fantasy with a decidedly modern edge. I found myself particularly enamoured with the ethereal choreography by the rising star, Marie-Claude Pietragalla. The way she seamlessly intertwined the dancers with the backdrop, a Parisian cityscape in shades of grey, creating an immersive and truly magical atmosphere. A New Voice from San Francisco** For a moment of genuine artistry and an unforgettable theatrical experience, I urge you, darling, to journey to San Francisco, home to the innovative and vibrant San Francisco Ballet. This season saw their creation, “Echoes”, a truly groundbreaking production. Created by the enigmatic, the avant-garde, and the ever-inspiring Christopher Wheeldon, “Echoes” is more than a ballet; it’s an exploration of human relationships. It doesn’t simply show a story; it *feels* the emotions of the characters and evokes them within the audience. The intricate interplay of the dancers, the subtle interplay of light and shadow, the emotionally charged music, everything coalesced into a spellbinding journey that left me both deeply moved and profoundly stimulated. **Breaking Barriers: Beyond the Classical Ballet** Now, darling, we can’t forget those pushing the boundaries of ballet. A breath of fresh air in the dance world is The National Dance Company Wales with their latest, “Beyond the Veil.” Set in a post-apocalyptic world where nature reclaims its hold, this production felt like a ballet symphony. It challenged our preconceptions, offered commentary on contemporary issues with a striking and often shocking visual impact. It was truly unlike anything I've seen before, daring, and innovative. **The New Breed: Up and Coming Talent** Speaking of innovative talent, darling, we need to take a moment to celebrate the future of dance! I was especially thrilled by the performances at the Prix de Lausanne, that esteemed dance competition where we see the very best of young talent emerging. These young dancers, with their boundless energy, technical brilliance, and unquenchable passion, reminded me why I fell in love with dance in the first place. A future so full of potential… thrilling. **But Darling, It's not all Just About the Performance** It's all well and good to watch a beautiful ballet performance, darling, but the experience itself is truly enriched by the glamour. What do I wear to the ballet, darling? It's a dilemma we face every season, isn’t it? Well, I suggest a dress, a full-length silk, if you please. It has to be dramatic. Something red, a statement. With black opera gloves. For me, the look must be an homage to the ballets we’re watching. It should scream “refined, classic elegance,” all while letting my own style speak through it. A little bit of *oomph* – the perfect dash of attitude for a night of balletic bliss. Oh, and darling, a pair of delicate, dazzling diamond earrings – *de rigueur* for a ballerina’s night out. And of course, darling, what’s a balletic experience without a post-show dinner at one of London’s top establishments? I always choose a place with an old-world charm, that serves exquisitely prepared food, with the perfect blend of decadent elegance. A glass of champagne – something elegant with a little sparkle – it's a delicious, fittingly celebratory toast to a magical night. A little gossip, a few whispered observations about the evening's performance – and voila! The night is complete. **More Than a Dance: An Inspiration** Ballet, darling, it’s more than a dance – it's an escape. It’s the ability to take flight in the space of a theatre, to be swept away by music and movement, and to let ourselves be captivated by a different world, even just for a few fleeting moments. The world of ballet continues to offer so much, new discoveries every month, a fresh perspective. So, be sure to step onto your own personal stage this month, darling, and let yourself be swept away. As ever, darling, till next month!