Darling, what a month it has been! Just back from a whirlwind trip to Paris, where the energy crackled off the streets - a perfect preamble to an absolutely stellar month for dance, with shows all over the world - truly a ballet enthusiast’s dream. I simply must tell you all about them.
I arrived just in time for the Paris Opera Ballet's season opener, a truly spectacular affair. This time, they revived Rudolf Nureyev's staging of Swan Lake - always a personal favourite - with some inspired casting that really brought the story alive. The first night was a real wow! The young and graceful Sylvie Guillem is nothing short of magical in the dual roles of Odette and Odile, and I found myself mesmerized, particularly during the "Black Swan" pas de deux - it’s almost sacrilege, but it moved me to tears, you know, darling! Then there's the magnetic Mathieu Ganio - such elegant lines, such beautiful jumps. A real dreamboat. His Prince Siegfried was charming and vulnerable - absolutely swoonworthy! Such effortless leaps.
This ballet truly demands an enormous amount of physical skill. As a dancer, one never tires of watching Swan Lake - the beauty and poetry of it all, it truly takes my breath away! There's also an enormous emotional depth to the performance. Of course, my dearest dear, there’s nothing better than the sight of dancers gracefully gliding across the stage, and the sound of Tchaikovsky’s beautiful score… sheer magic!
Following the stunning Swan Lake, we were treated to a much more contemporary affair with Angelin Preljocaj's "Le Parc" a modern work, dark and moody, but compelling and oh-so-stylish. Preljocaj’s choreography is truly a thing to behold – always unexpected, yet always absolutely precise and with this dark, sometimes even menacing, beauty. There's so much power in the minimalist stage setting, all black and stark – an incredible counterpoint to the kineticism of the dancers, like creatures in an elegant, minimalist jungle. This piece will definitely stay with you long after the lights fade. I’ve never been one to appreciate purely abstract dance, darling, but this production was a real eye-opener! An extraordinary ensemble cast made up of Paris Opera’s leading dancers really brought out the dramatic themes of passion and loneliness – utterly captivating!
Leaving the glittering city of lights, my journey continued to the equally stunning Royal Opera House in London. And what a spectacle they were offering! The London's Royal Ballet's program, an enchanting trip through time and styles. Of course, darling, every ballet lover must go and experience the magnificence that is Giselle - simply exquisite! A little known fact is that this was actually the very first ballet I ever saw as a little girl, back when I dreamed of being on stage. And so I took the opportunity to share it with my little god-daughter – the child absolutely adored it! It must have resonated in the same way it did for me so many years ago – those wonderful emotions of joy and passion! The story is so powerful – how Giselle is tricked by the amorous Albrecht – a love betrayed by deceit…such a tragedy, but so romantic! I found myself entranced by Tamara Rojo - she’s definitely my favourite, you know? And she didn’t disappoint. She dances Giselle with a remarkable expressive power - an amazing balance between technical skill and absolute vulnerability. The whole cast delivered - particularly Marianela Núñez who danced a brilliant Myrtha – the Queen of the Wilis – simply breath-taking!
It's truly something special to watch such an iconic ballet with its history – a production so rooted in the ballet tradition - truly timeless. As always, this exquisite performance is a masterful blend of the technical prowess of classic ballet combined with a beautifully moving storyline.
Following this romantic affair, I found myself captivated by an entirely different production – A “Dances at the Old Vic” evening presented by English National Ballet’s very own Emerging Artist Program. The program itself was quite varied. The stand out, however, for me was the piece by William Forsythe titled "Artifact" - just incredible! An interesting piece in terms of how the bodies move - I found the fluidity and athleticism of the dancers, particularly the way Forsythe uses a combination of traditional ballet moves mixed with this more dynamic contemporary style simply captivating – I'm absolutely thrilled they chose it for their evening!
While on the subject of contemporary dance - you have to get down to New York. They’re always right at the cutting edge of modern dance - and they've just put on a completely phenomenal festival - Dance Reflections by Van Cleef & Arpels at Lincoln Center. It’s not a festival I usually visit, to be honest, as contemporary dance can be rather challenging, and it often leaves you confused, to say the least. But, as it turns out, the selection this time was quite something! The dance work by Paul Taylor, "Promethean Fire" was absolutely divine. It’s bold, visually spectacular and with such energy - truly memorable! Another favourite from this event, I have to say, was the stunning performance by the Batsheva Dance Company of Ohad Naharin's "Decadance". The choreography is simply sublime, darling. Not a show you’ll just sit and watch passively, my dear, as Naharin's choreography challenges the very definition of dance - completely experimental and totally fresh.
To be fair, the rest of the program included a plethora of choreographers who aren’t typically known for “easy-on-the-eyes” choreography! One of the shows featured a group of dancers who performed barefoot! It seems the new dance trend is not just the exploration of a physical aesthetic, darling. There’s so much emphasis on the mental and spiritual aspects, too, that it almost makes you forget that it’s a form of physical art.
On the lighter side of things - if you want something that’s pure joy to watch, you just have to visit San Francisco Ballet at the War Memorial Opera House for the company’s new season opening, "Ballet Under the Stars" a very impressive presentation, if I may say! This year’s production features a very well-selected program - both classics, like “Les Sylphides”, with its charming lightness, and also some much newer works - it’s a very nicely-curated program to introduce audiences to ballet if they are first timers, I think! But what was most impressive for me were some of the younger dancers who really stole the show – especially the incredible performance of a very young but supremely talented ballerina named Sarah Van Patten!
As you know darling, I have such affection for ballet – I love to see the way dancers bring their stories alive - I’m simply captivated by the beauty of the movement! I also like to see these fresh, vibrant and young performers. Their energy just bounces off the stage! The dancing in this new program was certainly more traditional in style and less provocative than some of the modern pieces I’ve seen this season - but that's why this program is absolutely perfect!
Last but not least – the incredible “Stars of Tomorrow” program presented at the National Ballet of Canada - now this, dear readers, is a real must-see! It’s not unusual to be mesmerized by famous dancers in a gala. But you can really get lost in this program watching future superstars take the stage! This was an impressive showcase featuring an incredibly talented selection of young, exciting dancers, each with an unique style! And I know - because I have danced for so long – that a truly gifted dancer is an incredibly rare talent – this is what you'll be witness to. So do yourself a favour and check it out, darling! And while you're at it, get yourself a little something sparkly to wear! I do so hope that this little tour of my dance adventures inspired you! You truly cannot escape ballet this month, darlings, it’s truly everywhere - enjoy! And remember, stay fashionable!