Darlings, the new year has begun with a flurry of thrilling performances and a sense of renewal. We, the balletomanes of the world, are in for a treat. From the cobbled streets of London to the dazzling stage of New York, the season's productions have left me breathless.
Let's start with **London**, shall we? The Royal Opera House never disappoints, and this month was no exception. Their **"Swan Lake"** is, of course, a classic, and the costumes were as magnificent as ever, all those billowing tutus and feathery wings. I especially loved the delicate and utterly graceful performance of the young **Natalia Osipova**, whose leaps were as if she were floating on air. The entire corps de ballet, those darling girls, moved like one, a sea of tulle and elegance.
However, the true jewel of London this season has been the English National Ballet's **"The Sleeping Beauty"** at the Coliseum. The production itself was simply gorgeous, lavish in a way that is a little out of fashion, but somehow so right for this piece. **Tamara Rojo**, darling, she is a queen amongst women, so majestic in her role as Aurora. Her performance was both regal and touching, and she conveyed the magic of the ballet flawlessly. The story of the princess and the curse is timeless, and this production brought new life to the familiar narrative. I simply adore Tamara and her fiery red hair, which adds just the right touch of drama.
Moving on to the glittering lights of **New York City**, one cannot ignore the New York City Ballet. Their recent performance of **"The Nutcracker"**, at the Lincoln Center, was pure delight. The costumes and sets are beyond spectacular. And the children who played the mice and the soldiers, oh, they were darling! Their energy and innocence made the performance truly magical. Though the star of the evening was the incomparable **Maria Kowroski**, who truly captured the beauty and grace of the Sugarplum Fairy. I simply adored her beautiful performance. It was almost ethereal.
And then, across the ocean in **Paris**, the grand Palais Garnier continues to wow me. The Paris Opera Ballet presented a wonderful **"Romeo and Juliet"**, the tragedy and passion unfolding under the watchful eye of the Opera's glorious chandeliers. **Sylvie Guillem**, always a force of nature, portrayed Juliet with heart-wrenching vulnerability. She is such an original dancer, you never know what she will bring to the stage. It's just utterly magnetic. There was also the stunning newcomer, **Benjamin Millepied**, so full of potential and power in his role as Romeo.
Now, no season is complete without a touch of something truly different, something that challenges our preconceived notions of ballet. This month that experience came from the innovative **Wayne McGregor**, whose work is a whirlwind of contemporary style. At the **Sadler's Wells Theatre** in **London**, **McGregor** presented his latest work, **"Chroma,"** an explosive collaboration with the Royal Ballet. It is nothing short of mesmerizing. A stunning combination of power, control and grace, defying all traditional expectations of what ballet should be.
**Moscow** too has brought a wealth of artistic treasures to the season. I must tell you about **"Giselle"** at the Bolshoi Theatre. There's nothing quite like the grandeur of the Bolshoi, its plush red velvet and gold-trimmed boxes, an opera house in every sense. **Svetlana Zakharova**, a star in the ballet firmament, portrayed the titular role with exceptional beauty and fragility. Her movements are a delicate tapestry of emotions and precision, truly breathtaking.
Finally, a bit of a detour: This month I also found myself at a performance by **Pilobolus** in **Boston**. This group isn't ballet in the strictest sense of the word. It is, shall we say, **"ballet by other means."** It’s all about athleticism and innovative movements, an artful and athletic celebration of the human body. These darling artists twist and turn, forming extraordinary shapes and patterns. The choreography is unique, imaginative, and simply stunning. **"Pilobolus"** is pure joy. It is certainly worth seeing.
These are but a few of the countless ballets that graced the stages of the world this past month. It was a season of exquisite dance and pure artistry. Every performance brought something new and exhilarating to the ballet scene, from the classical grandiosity of "Swan Lake" to the thrilling, edgy dance of Wayne McGregor. It seems the dance world is constantly evolving, but at its heart remains the timeless elegance of beautiful movement and emotion, all captured in the poetry of ballet.
We are lucky, my darlings, to have the opportunity to see so many spectacular performances. Keep your eyes peeled and your dance cards filled. There's always something new to discover. Happy dancing!
So, let's take a peek at a few must-see highlights coming up:- **The Royal Ballet's production of "The Rite of Spring" in London** (January 20, 2000), choreographed by the dazzling, the extraordinary, the brilliant **Wayne McGregor**. Now, I'm so excited! They are bringing out the "Rite," darling, that’s a bold move. I can't wait to see the fresh take that Wayne will bring. This is bound to be one for the history books.
- **The San Francisco Ballet's world premiere of "A Thousand Autumns" by Christopher Wheeldon** (January 26, 2000). This promises to be a showstopper. Wheeldon has that beautiful knack for storytelling, and this piece is sure to have all of San Francisco on the edge of their seats. The rumors of its visual splendor and emotionally evocative choreography are swirling already, making it the hottest ticket in town. Don't miss out on the world premiere!
- **The New York City Ballet’s revival of Balanchine’s masterpiece "Agon"** (January 29, 2000). A celebration of the work of George Balanchine, darling, one of the true icons of modern ballet. It is a masterclass in technique and pure movement, set to Stravinsky, it is both daring and divine. I have the feeling there will be plenty of talk about this revival around the city's best tea parties.
Let’s face it, my dears, a life without ballet is a tragedy! These spectacular performances have rekindled my passion for dance. Now, go forth and discover your own gems!