AI Ballet Review 627

Ballet Blooms: A July Review

Dearest readers, welcome to the intoxicating month of July, where the sun shines on every bloom. Ballet, that enchanting art form that mirrors life's highs and lows with elegant, intricate steps, has taken centre stage once again, captivating hearts and leaving indelible marks on my very soul.

This July, ballet's global panorama shimmered with both familiar and avant-garde productions, reminding us that even as the world embraces a new dawn, the ballet’s power to transport, enchant and inspire continues to blossom. Here are a few blooms that took my breath away.

Oh, how I love London in the summer. It’s a symphony of vibrant colours, and the ballet performances only add to the enchantment. My beloved Royal Ballet has once again exceeded expectations. A dazzling, newly staged **Romeo and Juliet**, infused with a fiery energy and captivating storytelling, transported me right into the heart of Verona. The raw emotion that oozed from every plié, every pirouette, truly tugged at my heartstrings. And darling, the choreography by Liam Scarlett is a masterpiece – the love, the heartache, the passion, he truly captured every essence of Shakespeare’s timeless masterpiece. My dear friend Marianela Nuñez is exquisite in the role of Juliet, and her duet with the incomparable, charismatic Vadim Muntagirov as Romeo? Oh, let’s just say it set my heart aflutter. The production itself, a tapestry of dazzling costumes, and breath-taking set designs, took us back to the golden era of dance, adding an aura of romance that left my senses enthralled.

No summer would be complete without a trip to the Bolshoi! Moscow, a city that hums with art, culture and passionate artistry, and the Bolshoi's summer repertoire this July has been absolutely spectacular.

The enchanting world of Giselle truly came to life in their exquisite staging. Every exquisite detail of the classic romantic ballet was captured - the hauntingly beautiful choreography by Jules Perrot, the ethereal movements of the wilis and the breathtaking portrayal of Giselle by the talented Ekaterina Krysanova were truly sublime.

One ballet that truly blew me away was **"A Symphony of Dances".** The Bolshoi dancers, their bodies honed and poised, transformed each part of the work into an explosion of technical skill, and a testament to their incredible strength and artistry. And that final scene with the grand pas de deux! Pure magic! Oh, to have such exquisite movements at my command!

Paris, always the epitome of grace and elegance. The ethereal** "La Bayadère",** a symphony of love, betrayal, and ultimate sacrifice, danced beautifully by the Ballet de l’Opéra de Paris, is an experience I would recommend to any balletomane. The breathtaking visuals, from the temple scene to the beautiful celestial kingdom, were an ode to the art of stage design. I’m so deeply enchanted by this production that I must visit Paris again to watch it one more time.

But let’s not forget that Parisian dancers aren't just about the classics, oh no. The Paris Opera Ballet premiered a new work **"The Dreamers,"** by the visionary choreographer Angelin Preljocaj. Now, darling, it was truly bold, provocative, and experimental - not a dance for the faint of heart! This wasn't a ballet where love conquered all, this was about pushing boundaries, a haunting exploration of desire and dreams, delivered with striking physicality and emotion that stayed with me for days after.

From the traditional to the modern, July brought exciting news of ballet innovation around the world! The Australian Ballet, with a boldness that only our Aussies can deliver, presented a breathtaking new production of **“Manon”,** inspired by the famed 17th century opera. The choreographer Graeme Murphy injected his signature flair into this production – blending the traditional elegance with modern fluidity, all with a distinctive Australian character that was so captivating!

Of course, we can’t speak of innovative ballet without mentioning New York City, darling! It is a place where artistry never sleeps. The American Ballet Theatre has been exploring new possibilities with **“The Modern Age”** – an incredible collection of contemporary pieces by innovative choreographers like Alexei Ratmansky and Christopher Wheeldon. The vibrant energy and fresh interpretations reminded me why I remain an ardent devotee to contemporary ballet - a realm where artistry meets innovation.

No ballet experience is complete without the glam! This July was not short of style inspiration for any fashionista, let me tell you! In London, a gala for the Royal Ballet saw the crème de la crème of society, and of course, every designer frock under the sun! My own ensemble – a bespoke gown by my dear friend Erdem Moralıoglu – sent quite a flutter amongst the attendees. It was all lace and femininity, but with a modern twist. And as the music started and I took my seat in the Royal Opera House, darling, the entire theatre felt alive!

Over in Paris, it was the same scene but with a distinct Parisian flavour. For the Ballet de l’Opéra de Paris opening night gala, everyone went all out – and I was right there in the heart of it! My Valentino couture number with a dramatic, floor-length train and a cascading cascade of ruffles was a real head-turner! A stunning piece that encapsulated the sheer joy and exuberance of a night of balletic spectacle!

With ballet reaching such new heights and heights across the globe, July has cemented itself as a month of artistry and enchantment. From the grand elegance of **“Swan Lake”** in St. Petersburg, Russia, to the revolutionary fusion of traditional ballet and modern street dance in the **“Black Swan”** show in Tokyo, Japan, this July was a kaleidoscope of colours, a tapestry of human stories told in exquisite, expressive dance. Every step, every leap, every pirouette has deepened my appreciation for ballet, and it makes me more certain than ever that ballet will forever be a captivating language that we will never cease to speak.

As we embrace August, my darling readers, may we always carry the spirit of the dance within us, and remember that even in this new era, beauty, grace, and expression will forever find a way to bloom, and we are blessed to be able to witness its dance.

Until next month, keep twirling.

Yours in Dance,

Isabelle