Darling, can you believe itâs March already? The weather outside may be a bit drab (although I heard whispers that spring is on its way⊠how divine!), but the world of ballet is blooming with excitement! From the crisp lines of contemporary works to the ethereal beauty of the classics, this month is a veritable feast for the senses. Let's delve into the world of pirouettes and pointe shoes, shall we? ?
Paris, oh lĂ lĂ ! This city, always chic, has been particularly captivating this month. The exquisite Paris Opera Ballet have unveiled a dazzling new production of âGiselle.â It's a masterclass in romance and heartbreak, the tragic love story amplified by exquisite choreography that seamlessly blends classic elegance with contemporary flair. Honestly, dear, I nearly cried during the Wilis scene. Those ghostly dancers, fluttering across the stage, left me quite spellbound. Such ethereal grace! Afterwards, a divine little dinner at Le Jules Verne â it wouldn't have felt right to resist the allure of the Eiffel Tower, you see? - with its panoramic views of the twinkling city below, just perfect for dissecting the performance with fellow enthusiasts.
Across the pond, the Royal Ballet continues to reign supreme. A revival of "The Sleeping Beauty" in London had me utterly entranced. The exquisite costumes, those vibrant colours, were simply stunning. And speaking of stunning, did you see Marianela NĂșñez in the role of Aurora? Breathtaking! Her lightness, her technical prowess, it's just effortless elegance. And darling, those fouettĂ©s⊠just phenomenal! The Prince, I think they called him⊠charming but I wouldn't say he stole the show quite like the radiant Aurora did. (Must find out who is starring in next weekâs performance, for all you know, a real Prince Charming could be lurking on stage...)
Speaking of charming, **my travels have taken me to a truly remarkable production at the Bolshoi in Moscow** â a daring, fresh interpretation of "La Bayadere" by a brilliant up-and-coming choreographer. The costumes were so evocative, almost avant-garde, and the staging had a contemporary feel that complemented the powerful story of love, betrayal, and sacrifice. It felt modern yet still classic - so intriguing, so thought-provoking, my dear. This certainly made for a wonderful, thought-provoking evening in Moscow, and a fabulous excuse to visit the world's most renowned department store â GUM on Red Square! Their cashmere collection is simply divine.
Letâs go on a thrilling adventure to the exotic East! I spent the weekend in Tokyo. I swear the air here is always charged with excitement, so vibrant and buzzing with energy, and it's hard to know where to look first - beautiful geishas in silk kimonos walking by on a crisp morning or a breathtaking art installation around every corner. It is, of course, ballet Iâm here to talk about though, and I must confess to having my expectations pleasantly shattered by the Tokyo Ballet's interpretation of âSwan Lake.â The dancers moved with a lyrical beauty, the ethereal quality of the swans in the lake scene truly captivating. The corps de ballet â so well drilled, and incredibly beautiful. A true testament to the discipline of the dancers! Thereâs a strong artistic vibe in the air here and even a visit to Tsukiji fish market with its seafood stalls feels so artsy! Itâs certainly made me wish I had invested in a more extensive sushi-making course!
I confess I was a little apprehensive when I first saw the name of the ballet: **"The Rite of Spring."** Sounds rather intense, right? And I will say, itâs not for the faint-hearted! However, Iâve been hearing whispers for ages about a contemporary ballet being performed in Berlin that really pushed the boundaries. Iâm quite drawn to experimental work you see. And well, it certainly was! It's a raw, visceral piece that throws off the shackles of tradition, exploring primal instincts with fearless abandon. The energy of the dancers - I just had to take my hat off to them â their power and precision was so arresting, you were on the edge of your seat. I confess my nerves were rather shot afterwards and it really did put me in a contemplative mood. Thankfully I booked myself into The Ritz-Carlton, one of Berlinâs most luxurious and beautifully located hotels, right beside the cityâs grand opera house, so it was easy to just relax after a day of so much artistic exploration!
Now I donât want to give away all my ballet secrets just yet, there are more amazing performances to be enjoyed this month. Hereâs a quick little taster of what's still to come, darlingâŠ
- **New York, New York!** I hear the American Ballet Theatre has a fantastic, all-star cast for their upcoming production of âRomeo and Julietâ.
- **St Petersburg** - the home of the illustrious Mariinsky Ballet, always offers an unforgettable spectacle, this month bringing an exciting new version of "Don Quixote", I hear, and it's already creating quite a stir amongst my circle! The city itself, is a breathtaking place of history and glamour, just make sure you bring along a very roomy suitcase. You need to have ample space to fit your best dresses, to match the elegance of the theatre, I always say! ?
- **Munich's Bavarian State Ballet** will be holding their gala, and it is always an opportunity to see some of the finest dance talent on display. Oh, and be sure to stay at a Bavarian palace - those high-vaulted ceilings with beautiful hand-painted frescos, the lush gardens, pure fairytale charm!
There's so much to experience and embrace. It's an incredibly exciting time to be a ballet enthusiast! So, go on, put on your most elegant attire and soak it all up, darling. Ballet is a transformative experience, don't you think? And donât forget to check out my latest Instagram post â Iâll be sharing all my fashion tips for attending ballets and a few exciting snapshots from my journey! ?