Darling, the year has just begun and the dance world is already buzzing with excitement! Letâs dive into the kaleidoscope of talent that graced the stages around the globe in January 2004.
London was, of course, abuzz, and a must-see was the return of the legendary **Royal Ballet**. I am a lifelong devotee of this company, so I had the absolute joy of catching their dazzling production of **âThe Sleeping Beautyâ**, a ballet which simply *never* gets old. My darling Marianela Nunez â always the epitome of elegance, grace and poise â absolutely blew me away. Her portrayal of Aurora was truly transcendent. I practically wept as her tender arabesques transformed into the bold fire of her royal entrance. She was simply captivating! Alongside her, Carlos Acosta brought such charisma to Prince Florimund. I mean, the man just oozes magic and those athletic leaps! You canât deny the allure.
Meanwhile, the **English National Ballet** wowed with their daringly modern approach to **âRomeo and Julietâ**, choreographed by the ever-innovative **Wayne McGregor**. It was an explosive, emotionally charged interpretation â full of angular, jarring movement. You simply couldnât look away from the rawness of their performance, which felt like a raw, visceral glimpse into the inner workings of a love story gone terribly wrong. It's a performance that stays with you, lingering in the depths of your soul.
Paris was as vibrant and stylish as ever, a veritable smorgasbord of artistic delight. I had a fabulous time soaking up the atmosphere of the **Paris Opera Ballet** in their magnificent new production of **âGiselleâ**, which was stunningly brought to life by **Rudolf Nureyevâs** exquisite choreography. My dearest Sylvie Guillemâs performance as Giselle was divine - the perfect blend of fragility and fire, capturing every nuance of the heroineâs love, grief, and eventual madness.
A real treat for me was a trip to **New York**. Itâs been ages since Iâve visited the States. Thereâs so much happening over there. I saw a fantastic performance of **"Swan Lake"** with the **New York City Ballet**. It was a beautiful rendition â utterly timeless, although the choreography by the legendary George Balanchine was truly refreshing in its modernity. My dear, **Darcey Bussell** just dazzles. She was magnificent as Odette / Odile â the transition between innocence and temptation was sublime.
But it wasn't all just the big names. A hidden gem I discovered was the **Martha Graham Dance Company**'s haunting revival of **âAppalachian Springâ.** The contemporary ballet world needs more dance pieces that look to the past, you know. Their raw energy, their intense connection with the story, was incredibly moving and absolutely captivated my heart.
As always, Milan, the heart of Italian elegance and artistry, delivered something truly special. The **Teatro alla Scala** hosted a world premiere â a piece from **Aventine**, titled **"Metamorfosiâ**, which really knocked my socks off. This new company, featuring incredibly talented young artists, offered a breathtaking interpretation of transformation â I don't think I've seen a more dynamic exploration of the human form. Their technique was faultless and so fluid â an absolute masterclass!
Then I jetted off to **Moscow**. Now, the Bolshoi Ballet are known for their incredible precision, strength, and virtuosity and, well, they didnât disappoint. **âDon Quixoteâ** with the iconic **Svetlana Zakharova** â my god! â was everything you'd imagine and more! Her dazzling performance of Kitri left me completely mesmerized. This incredible dancerâs ability to convey both playful charm and elegant authority made this production unforgettable. Her stage presence â magnetic.
It wasnât all just the classics, darlings! The **Berlin Staatsballett**, oh my, have just brought such dynamism to the stage with their captivating performance of the newly-created piece, **"Wakingâ** by **JiĆĂ KyliĂĄn**. A piece that challenges all norms, and truly throws itself head-first into the depths of modern emotion.
And who can resist the charming city of **Vienna**? I adore it. I fell utterly under the spell of the **Vienna State Operaâs** mesmerizing âSwan Lakeâ. The Viennese always bring an ethereal quality to their performance and it was absolutely glorious. My darling Nicole Seidl is an artist to watch, her rendition of Odette / Odile was as pure and elegant as a winter snowscape. Truly a masterpiece.
But I have to say, darlings, the true star of this month was **"The Nutcrackerâ** in San Francisco. **The San Francisco Ballet**, in a captivating production designed by the legendary **Alexander Vassiliev**, delivered a classic Christmas story with an unforgettable touch. The dancing was divine, with stunning costumes, the cutest snowflakes â just everything youâd imagine. They were able to perfectly capture the spirit of this ballet, taking audiences on an imaginative, magical journey from their comfy armchair seats.
It's so refreshing to see all these brilliant companies innovating and stretching the boundaries of dance! This January's dance season has left me positively inspired. Thereâs no doubt, my darlings, the world of ballet is as captivating and alive as ever. Letâs all make it our New Yearâs resolution to keep our feet on the dance floor.
Until next month, love,
xxx
Anya
P.S. A quick note on emerging talent. The Danish Ballet â absolutely thrilling! Thereâs a new star rising in **Cecilie ThĂžgersen** â her performance was divine, with that perfect balance of fire and grace!