Darlings! As the year draws to a close, it's time for the ultimate *tour de force*, the end of year ballet review! December is always a glorious flurry of twinkling tutus, elegant pointe shoes and breathtaking performances, isn't it? The world of ballet never ceases to enchant and I, for one, am absolutely positively giddy with the chance to indulge in such a wealth of exquisite artistry.
Let's kick things off with *that* show, *Swan Lake*, and who better to take us to the shores of that moonlit lake than the *Royal Ballet*. It’s no surprise that Tchaikovsky’s masterpiece is a crowd-pleaser. After all, *Swan Lake* is a ballet where every element is in perfect harmony. Every pirouette, every jump, every glance, each expressive movement is a stroke of genius. To have the *Royal* performing it, well, let me tell you, darlings, the very air itself seemed to thrum with excitement.
Marianela Núñez, as Odette/Odile, simply melted into both roles, so perfectly expressing the dual nature of the Swan Queen. Her vulnerability as Odette was a revelation, her despair palpable and breathtaking, but it was as the temptress Odile that she truly captured the stage. You could see the whole audience being drawn to her wicked beauty – I, for one, nearly fainted into my opera glasses. And darling, have you seen her fouettés?! Perfection.
And, naturally, it’s not just the *Royal* showcasing the artistry of *Swan Lake* - though we all know their *corps de ballet* are just *magnificent* - we must take a trip over to Russia for the *Mariinsky*. Their rendition of this masterpiece, featuring their resident étoiles, Svetlana Zakharova and Dmitry Semikhov, was *electric*! The chemistry between them, so palpable it almost cracked the very stage, radiated with a youthful energy and passion that simply swept me off my feet. Oh, darling, let me tell you, I shed a tear at their tragic, poignant embrace in the final scene – such emotion, such tenderness. The brilliance of their *jete* and their powerful *sauts de basque*, and of course, that magnificent *grand jeté en tournant*, *divine!* The *Mariinsky* were truly on their A-game!
From Russia, we *must* take a quick jaunt across Europe to, oh darling, *La Scala* in Milan, and catch their *Giselle*, now there’s a story for you! *Giselle*, an enduring masterpiece, this rendition offered us something entirely special – the captivating performance of Polina Semionova as Giselle. *Oh,* how her fragile vulnerability and heart-wrenching descent into madness simply captivated everyone. And darling, those effortless, airy leaps, the delicate, poignant movements that spoke volumes, simply exquisite. It's such a *privilege* to see such dedication to the art form.
Speaking of dedication, *La Scala* also graced us with an intriguing production of *Le Corsaire*, a whirlwind of intricate choreography, flamboyant costumes and that oh-so-grand spectacle. It's certainly a *show* to behold and the costumes, darling, divine! I adore how a dance production like *Le Corsaire* reminds us of ballet’s heritage, the drama, the grandeur and yes, that exquisite, intricate ballet that made ballet so very popular for centuries. Now *Le Corsaire*, oh darling, the spectacle and sheer skill of these dancers are a treat for the soul.
Now for some modern masterpieces. It would be utterly uncouth, my dear, not to include a few gems of contemporary choreography in this review. And while you’ve *all* probably heard of this next masterpiece, well, *I* can never tire of seeing it, I’m talking about Christopher Wheeldon’s *The Winter’s Tale* set to music by the incomparable Arvo Pärt, produced by the *Royal Ballet*. Honestly, the emotional power, the sublime beauty, the haunting narrative of Shakespeare, all melded together so seamlessly. Wheeldon’s choreography, darling, is just divine, that graceful fluidity, that poignant stillness. It is truly *haunting*. The whole production is such a masterclass in contemporary ballet.
We must, darling, take a quick jaunt over to New York and revel in the delights of the *New York City Ballet*, for it’s simply impossible to talk about ballet without mentioning this esteemed company. *They* truly are the heartbeat of ballet in America! They offered the world a splendid rendition of George Balanchine’s *Agon*, a bold, energetic dance work that simply burst off the stage. You have to remember darling, *Agon* was an epoch-making creation in its time! You can see why Balanchine was such a huge force in the history of ballet. And *these* dancers really understand the style, you know. You have to appreciate *Agon* for the sheer energy, the sharp, distinct movements and that *incredible* athleticism.
Speaking of *NYC Ballet* - it was in their season that the wonderful Justin Peck presented his breathtaking ballet, *The Times Are Racing*. This darling, was a piece infused with a captivating youthful energy that took your breath away. With its dynamic athleticism, it was quite a spectacle and one that captivated everyone, from ballet fanatics to casual fans alike.
But, darling, no end of year ballet review would be complete without some thoughts on *The Nutcracker*, after all, Christmas is around the corner, no? We wouldn’t be a fashion-forward ballerina, my dear, if we didn't know a good *Nutcracker* performance! Well darling, I simply had to include it, even if I am utterly *over* it at this point.
You can imagine my delight at seeing *The Nutcracker* performed by the *Vienna State Opera Ballet*. This charming, classic tale was truly breathtaking, a glorious spectacle for the entire family to enjoy. With gorgeous, traditional costumes and opulent, enchanting set design. What makes this performance so unique? It has this incredibly magical element, the way it’s presented – and darling, those beautifully skilled dancers! We all *love* a *Nutcracker* performance!
Honestly, what is *better* than enjoying a *Nutcracker* production? Oh! Let's not forget those wonderful Christmas ballets popping up everywhere. They truly bring back happy childhood memories, with beautiful decorations, vibrant costumes, twinkling lights and so many festive treats and sweets!
Now, *my dears* if you haven’t seen these spectacular ballets, *do go see them.* *Go!* Don’t let this exquisite art form escape you, take this opportunity to appreciate it in its entirety.
So, darling, that wraps up my whirlwind tour of ballet delights for this December. And as I say *goodbye* for now, please, I do beg of you, continue to indulge in the magic that is ballet. We are, after all, creatures of enchantment, and this enchanting world deserves all our attention. *And* don't forget to wear your dancing shoes! *See you* at the ballet! *Darling*!