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From the Prima Ballerina’s Notebook: A Whirlwind Tour of April 2002 My darlings! Spring has sprung, and with it, a veritable bouquet of exquisite ballet performances that have my soul fluttering with joy! It seems the world is utterly consumed by the allure of this ethereal art form. Oh, the sheer elegance! The intoxicating grace! And the exquisite beauty of the costumes, which truly transport me to another time. Let me take you on a grand tour of some of the most captivating performances gracing the stages across the globe this month. A Glimpse of Parisian Elegance: Giselle at the Opéra National de Paris Ah, Paris, the city of lights and love! And this production of Giselle at the Opéra National de Paris was pure, unadulterated magic. Sylvie Guillem, as always, was captivating. Her interpretation of Giselle, the innocent country maiden transformed by heartbreak into a spirit of the forest, was poignant, tragic, and yet somehow filled with a strange, captivating beauty. Her movements were breathtaking, effortless yet powerful, and her vulnerability was utterly soul-stirring. And the ethereal, flowing costumes? Well, simply divine. The staging was equally magnificent. The forest scene, filled with shimmering mist and hauntingly beautiful music, transported me directly into Giselle's world of sorrow and despair. And the corps de ballet, all ethereal lightness and ethereal beauty, painted a captivating portrait of Giselle’s fragile world. If you are looking for the definitive, and I do mean definitive, Giselle then you must make every effort to catch this production, darling. Even if you are in the Outer Hebrides. American Sparkle: New York City Ballet in The Nutcracker I adore a good Nutcracker performance! It's a festive spectacle of breathtaking beauty and technical virtuosity, a charming escape from the dreary world, and New York City Ballet always deliver, as if the mere thought of Christmas could prompt them to deliver more magic than usual! The production itself is an utter masterpiece of theatre, overflowing with lavish costumes and ingenious, intricate choreography that captures the innocent delight of childhood, Now, I have a certain fondness for Darci Kistler. The dear girl always manages to infuse each movement with genuine emotion and heartfelt tenderness. She absolutely embodied the innocent, delicate Clara, a performance that filled me with nostalgic longing for a world filled with fairies and magic. Then, there’s the glorious scene where all the Sugarplum Fairy's subjects parade across the stage, each a tableau of pure delight, showcasing a wide range of incredible balletic talent. It is quite something! And the grand finale is the most incredible display of energy, precision, and grace imaginable! Honestly, one can't help but feel truly enchanted by it all. It's enough to make you wish for the return of your childhood innocence. And if you need any reminding of the season for love, and just love itself in general, this Nutcracker performance will be all you need! Royal Radiance: The Royal Ballet's Romeo and Juliet at Covent Garden Ah, the Royal Ballet! Nothing beats a night of pure, refined brilliance at the Royal Opera House. And their production of Romeo and Juliet was nothing short of breathtaking, especially with the inclusion of that charming, talented boy, Carlos Acosta, dancing the role of Romeo. You can just see the talent of this lovely man rising. It made this particular performance of Romeo and Juliet the one to see! And speaking of Romeo, the dear boy, was quite captivating. A handsome lad, with that delightful Latin grace and a technique so impeccable, it was practically seamless! Oh, the passion, the tragedy, the tender love—everything, you know, that makes Romeo and Juliet such a powerful ballet, was brought alive with the greatest clarity. But darling, what stole my heart was Alina Cojocaru's Juliet, a truly unforgettable performance. There was such depth of emotion, such vulnerability, and yet, a fierceness within her! Her interpretation of the doomed lovers' dance, with all its passion and tenderness, left me speechless. Oh, the drama! She really did transport me into that enchanting world! And, of course, the sheer spectacle of the Royal Ballet’s choreography is magnificent. The dancing of the chorus alone was enough to make me swoon. In short, a glorious reminder of why Covent Garden is truly a treasure of the ballet world. Beyond the Big Names: Emerging Talent It's always such a joy to see up-and-coming artists shine! At the Boston Ballet's spring season, there is a young ballerina, Emily, a rising star who captured my heart, even with just a single leap, in their new piece, Elusive, a choreographed meditation on solitude. Her technique is phenomenal, and it's the emotion she pours into every movement that elevates her performance into a true experience. She’s definitely a name to keep an eye on! I am continually struck by the brilliance, power and sheer artistry that flourishes across the world. This season, darling, the ballet world really has outdone itself with performances that have sent me soaring on the wings of artistry and pure grace! Until next time, be well, be happy, and dance with the passion of your soul! The Art of Ballet in Other Places: A Taste of International Flavour * Tokyo, Japan: A Whirl of Innovation at the Bunkamura Orchard Hall The Japanese love a ballet show. It’s been quite the tradition in Japan for centuries. But there is a company I truly have taken to and admire; the superb choreography and artistry of the K-ballet Company is captivating. It's not a simple traditional dance show at all but really encompasses modern styles with a touch of that uniquely Japanese artistry. You would be wrong to assume this would make their performances less classic. Not at all! In fact, their work transcends boundaries, blending classic techniques with avant-garde ideas to deliver performances that are, frankly, revolutionary! It’s not simply about tradition in Japan any more but also pushing the limits of their performance styles while also adhering to the timelessness that keeps audiences, especially Japanese ones, coming back. *Sao Paulo, Brazil: A Touch of Carnival Flair Sao Paulo! Oh my! It was pure Brazilian flair when I visited a production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The vibrant colours and rhythmic music – such an energy to this beautiful show. And the staging! Imagine my delight when the Brazilian dancers added some distinctly local dance flair that made the performance positively intoxicating! So, you could tell it was still that English story and, naturally, full of all the Shakespearian drama. However, this production included vibrant samba and bossa nova influences. You truly felt as if the forest, full of the loveliest of wood sprites and fairies, had burst into song and life, full of samba moves and swaying bodies. There are some artists who would really take issue with such creative adaptation. Yet, darling, let me tell you; if you truly love your ballet performances with passion and zest, then you will revel in the joy and colour. And trust me, darling, the dance choreography remains every bit as beautifully classic as you would expect. *Buenos Aires, Argentina: The Tango Ballet and Tango Fever Okay. Argentina and Tango, oh, how I do adore that music! And dancing! What can be more beautifully intimate and alluring? So naturally I had to attend a production of the Tango Ballet. What was not unexpected for me but always delightfully surprising are the dramatic poses! It truly is so intoxicating when it is performed properly. There is so much skill required in those intimate poses and turns and then, of course, there are those intense looks between the dancing partners, a passionate story in their eyes. This is an art form that demands attention, and frankly, you just have to be careful to not watch with eyes that are a bit too wide and look, frankly, silly. Yet, that is the joy of Tango - its unashamed boldness and sex appeal! And the staging? They know their Tango dancers and the production is utterly elegant; silky black costumes and stage lights and such intimate spaces to focus attention entirely on that love story being told with passion, with grace, and, darling, with that Argentine flavour that leaves you absolutely wanting to dance, as if in the grasp of your partner, through the long hot nights. A Ballet Connoisseur's Tips So, there you have it, a snippet of the magic that filled the world of ballet in April 2002! It truly was a spectacular month for the art form! It fills me with hope, darling, for the future of ballet, seeing so much talent emerge and the continuing evolution and ingenuity of choreography. However, in the pursuit of ballet, always bear these simple tips in mind, darling: * **The beauty of the classic** - There is something incredibly enchanting about witnessing the effortless elegance of classical ballet. * **Look beyond the big names.** Don't just attend the productions by the renowned ballet companies - search out performances by new and emerging choreographers and dancers! * **Don't forget your dress code!** The thrill of going to a ballet is also about putting your very best fashion foot forward, dearie. * **Get lost in the magic.** It's the combination of beauty, artistry, grace, emotion, and sheer skill that lifts the heart to such new heights. The perfect evening? Go to a ballet performance, then dine at a beautiful restaurant, perhaps one full of French chandeliers, with friends or a beau, and leave with that contented sigh as you realize you are a fortunate, happy soul indeed! **A note to my younger darlings, for your journey ahead!** My darling little swans, remember the grace, elegance and poise you exhibit onstage and beyond, because it matters. You may well grace some of the greatest stages across the globe - even just the smallest school performance in a tiny village in Wales or somewhere! As long as your heart and your soul are set on performing for others and on giving it your all, your art and performance will captivate. There are no limitations for ballet, darlings, or for you! As my dear friend Coco Chanel, another lady with that inimitable sense of style and poise, once said “A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous!” The world awaits you and remember: Be classy, be fabulous and dance with passion!