March 2013: A Whirlwind of Tutu and Tutus
Darling, this March has been a kaleidoscope of exquisite artistry, a whirlwind of tutus, and a symphony of pirouettes. I simply had to share these absolute triumphs from the world of ballet – a feast for the senses, you know!
My journey started with the absolutely exquisite **Romeo and Juliet** at the **Royal Opera House**, where the legendary **Natalia Osipova** absolutely captivated. Her Juliet was a whirlwind of emotions, fragile and fiery, tender and tempestuous – quite simply a masterclass in storytelling. Her **Romeo**, the ever-handsome **Steven McRae**, perfectly complemented her with a fierce and brooding intensity. And the final scene? *Swoon* – a heart-wrenching masterpiece. I practically wept with the audience – what a production!
Then, the utterly divine **Swan Lake** at the **Paris Opera**! **Aurélie Dupont**, oh my goodness, she simply is the White Swan. Her ethereal grace and lightness transported me to a dreamlike world. Her Black Swan, however? A darkly captivating creature – I nearly fainted with delight. I have never seen a more spellbinding duality.
Let’s not forget about the incredible **Royal Ballet**’s **Sleeping Beauty** at the **Covent Garden** – a glorious spectacle. **Marianela Nuñez** brought a delightful sweetness and ethereal presence to Aurora, and the Prince, danced by **Vadim Muntagirov**, was quite simply divine. I absolutely loved the fairytale magic of the production, the gorgeous costumes, and the sheer joy that shone from the dancers’ faces.
But the real surprise of the month, darlings, was a trip to New York City, where I was lucky enough to catch the **New York City Ballet**’s production of **Balanchine’s The Four Temperaments**. Honestly, the precision and speed of the dancers were mesmerizing – it was pure athleticism combined with extraordinary grace. The final, frantic "Choleric" movement? It simply took my breath away! The raw energy was breathtaking!
- Speaking of raw energy, did you hear about **The Bolshoi** in Moscow?! A controversial new production of **The Nutcracker**, oh my goodness! Their young ballerina, **Olga Smirnova**, was nothing short of a sensation in the role of Clara, she had this unbelievable charisma. I adored the more contemporary feel of this take, so wonderfully modern and refreshing.
- And who could forget the **Nederlands Dans Theater**, a bastion of contemporary brilliance. This month, their production of **Cacti** was utterly hypnotic. It is a piece about human interaction, full of awkwardness, grace, and beautiful despair. It really stuck with me long after the curtain closed. This dance company just knows how to keep you guessing, how to push the boundaries – they really are the cutting edge of modern dance!
- To round out my ballet explorations, I finally saw the **Ballet Preljocaj**'s production of **Roméo et Juliette**, based in Arles, France. Their unique interpretation of the classic tale was simply captivating, oh so different. It was raw, visceral and very modern. There were beautiful costumes and such gorgeous choreography – it really moved me, and left me feeling wonderfully uplifted. You know I just love finding gems like this, so beautifully unconventional and wonderfully surprising!
Of course, my little ballet adventure didn't stop there. You know, my dear reader, there is so much more out there: a world of stunning performances, each with its own unique beauty and style. It's this diversity that keeps me captivated. My eyes, they just crave a glimpse into that universe!
This month, I'm captivated by the growing role of art in the world of ballet. My beloved art galleries are awash with new exhibitions focusing on dance, and my Instagram feed overflows with beautiful, provocative, and sometimes whimsical, depictions of our passion.
- At the Tate Modern in London, the **Dance Perspectives** exhibit was a captivating mix of photography and film. Stunning photos from the archives of the Royal Opera House and the Paris Opera? Yes, please! And then they unveiled these powerful dance films by cutting-edge artists. I even saw an exquisite video projection of Mikhail Baryshnikov. Absolutely divine!
- At the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, they had a magnificent exhibition titled **Degas and the Dance**. Seeing these iconic Degas sculptures alongside original photographs of the dancers who inspired them was truly something special. You felt so connected to the past – and these powerful, almost tormented figures were beautifully brought to life.
Speaking of inspiration, I’m completely smitten with this young, British artist, Ewan Kidd. His vibrant and colorful style celebrates the beauty of the human body, and the passion he evokes with these bold strokes of color is simply irresistible. He calls his paintings ‘a homage to ballet’. How fantastic is that?! And you know, these paintings, they tell a story! Just like we do, when we dance. And honestly, these artworks are some of the most striking, gorgeous depictions of dance I have ever seen. I could spend hours lost in their beauty.
As always, the art world has truly moved me this month. The power of the visual language, its ability to encapsulate raw emotion, captivating movement - the dance itself! It all feels wonderfully intertwined – you simply can’t separate one from the other.
And lastly, darling, it is so exciting to see a resurgence in ballet fashion. Yes, I am truly talking about **The Tutu Revival!** It's a delightful trend! These graceful forms are starting to appear in the most surprising of places – from runway collections, to magazines and street-style. So wonderfully charming!
- I’m so tickled to see a handful of new designers incorporating those fabulous tulle skirts into their Spring/Summer collections. Yes, even on the red carpets! From delicate blush pinks, to dazzling metallics and deep navy blues, it's all so enchanting. The look feels simultaneously feminine and sophisticated. I dare say, my darlings, it's the perfect way to inject a little ballerina chic into our everyday lives. *Sigh* – so much style!
With so much beauty surrounding me, I can’t help but feel overwhelmed with excitement. This world is vibrant and full of passion and joy – from the stage, to the galleries and onto the streets. Truly a testament to the beauty that ballet has brought into my life. Oh darling, isn’t this the perfect month to slip into your most beautiful pointe shoes and join us in this delightful whirlwind of artistic beauty?