AI Ballet Review 649

Oh, darling, it's finally May! The air is crisp and clean, and even the birds seem to be doing a little pirouette as they flit about in the sun. My goodness, spring has sprung, and with it a flurry of fabulous ballet productions around the world! **Let me tell you, the ballet scene is absolutely alight with brilliance this month!** I've had the sheer delight of witnessing some truly breathtaking performances, and my darling, I must share the wonder with you. The Royal Ballet's production of *Giselle* at the Royal Opera House, oh, what a simply divine affair it was! The delicate beauty of Marianela Nunez as Giselle, her exquisite execution of those soaring arabesques, left me breathless! I just adored the raw, heartbreaking intensity she brought to the role. And to watch her dance with the brooding yet tender Prince Albrecht, so flawlessly embodied by the magnificent Vadim Muntagirov, well, let's just say my heart was practically skipping a beat. The choreography was so moving, each step a poem of love and tragedy. * I do confess, the costumes had a touch too much tulle for my taste. I always think *less* is more, darling! But even that couldn't dim the splendour of the whole production. * The *Giselle* performance had me reflecting on the power of classical ballet. How it tells the most intricate stories, evoking every emotion under the sun. Honestly, even I shed a few tears. The beauty, the pathos, the technical perfection – it simply takes your breath away! **Over in the United States, I was utterly smitten by the New York City Ballet's take on *The Sleeping Beauty*.** Oh, I just adored the playful charm of the entire production. I particularly enjoyed the wonderfully whimsical, utterly divine costumes. Talk about bringing out the inner child in everyone! But it was the phenomenal artistry of Tiler Peck as Princess Aurora that left me utterly mesmerized. The grace and precision of her every move, it was as if the whole world melted away, just me and this beautiful ballerina dancing. * I have to admit, my darling, *The Sleeping Beauty* was rather whimsical, a tad sugary for my liking. I always crave a bit more drama, a touch of tragedy. But then again, a little light-hearted fun never hurt anyone, did it? * The entire evening was utterly enchanting. It was a true celebration of dance, full of breathtaking choreography and breathtaking costumes, all wrapped in the magical aura of a classic tale. Across the pond, in Berlin, I happened upon the most captivating production at the Staatsballett Berlin.** I just adore the way these Germans approach the classical ballet repertoire, they bring a sharp, almost intellectual edge to it. Their *Swan Lake* had me hooked from the very first haunting notes of the music. Natalia Osipova, my dear, simply oozes elegance and precision as Odette/Odile. Her portrayal was so emotive, capturing both the vulnerability and the power of the character in equal measure. It was quite captivating to watch the graceful elegance of her swan, and the fierce seduction of the black swan. Simply stunning! * The entire piece, darling, it's such a beautiful story, isn't it? You can’t help but fall head over heels for this romantic drama. Oh, the heartbreak and the passion! * And let's not forget the wonderful choreography. The director took the traditional work and infused it with his own interpretation, adding a modern sensibility to the timeless story. Absolutely magnificent! But you know, darling, it isn't all about the big, grand classical works.** There’s a delightful little gem of a ballet taking place right now at the London Coliseum - the English National Ballet’s production of *The Winter's Tale*. What a charming treat it was! I mean, Shakespeare and ballet? That's just ingenious! And I just loved how it breathed new life into the beloved text, bringing it alive with exquisite dancing and creative staging. * There’s nothing quite like the joy of seeing such raw emotion conveyed through the art of movement, it truly adds an extra layer to the storytelling, a dimension that brings it alive. * *The Winter's Tale* felt refreshingly original, even whimsical at times. I could have watched the company’s beautiful execution of the choreography for hours! I simply adore these elegant yet modern pieces. I often find they spark my own creative inspiration and encourage me to explore my own personal style. Oh, darling, there's even more!** A few weeks ago I found myself backstage at the *Grand Ballet Theatre of Geneva* in Geneva. I have to say, they certainly did *grand* justice to *Don Quixote*, and this ballet has my heart and my head dancing! It is absolutely chock full of incredible leaps and turns, dazzling and inventive, all under the brilliant guidance of an inspired artistic director. The costumes alone are a symphony of colour and extravagance, each layer a captivating visual feast! * As always, I admire how the ballet truly allows dancers to embrace their creativity, not only with movement but with facial expressions. To fully bring a character to life, one has to let everything flow from within. * *Don Quixote*, my dear, has a whimsical energy that makes for a joyous evening at the theatre. It's a perfect way to brighten up even the cloudiest of days. And to top it all off, this was my first ballet visit to the lovely Geneva – the city was just as elegant as the ballet. It’s hard to pick just a few of my favorites this month. With every turn of the stage, with each grand jeté, there’s something utterly enthralling. Every ballerina who takes the stage with the fire of creation in their eyes has their own unique journey to tell through their art, and that’s what makes ballet so extraordinary! It’s an intricate dance, a conversation that unfolds in the silent language of the body. And I, my darling, am truly enchanted to be a part of it. I hope you get the chance to see these exceptional performances, I assure you you won’t regret it!