My darlings, December is always such a wonderful time for ballet. The festive spirit fills the air, the lights twinkle, and the warmth of the theatre envelops you like a cashmere shawl. As always, this month finds us twirling around the world, indulging in exquisite performances and immersing ourselves in the artistry that keeps ballet so alluring. Let's dive into the world of elegant pirouettes and shimmering costumes!
Firstly, my journey took me to the **Royal Opera House**, where the iconic **"Swan Lake"** stole the stage. This masterpiece needs no introduction. It is ballet royalty, and for a good reason. I was, as always, captivated by the haunting choreography of Marius Petipa and the beautiful Tchaikovsky score that has captured hearts for over a century. The story of Odette, the innocent swan princess transformed into a cursed creature, and her love for Prince Siegfried is truly timeless. The delicate, feather-light choreography and the heartbreaking expression of the corps de ballet dancers perfectly embody the fragility of innocence and the weight of the curse.
But this year's "Swan Lake" was particularly special thanks to the divine Ms. Svetlana Zakharova's performance as Odette-Odile. Let's face it, we all know that the duality of Odette, the innocent swan princess, and Odile, the dark temptress, demands an artist of great emotional depth. Svetlana met the challenge head-on, and it is a performance that will surely leave you with goosebumps and stay with you long after the final curtain.
Her performance of Odile was utterly captivating; the black swan's dangerous and alluring beauty was a perfect display of both power and grace. I dare say, Ms. Zakharova was a real black swan indeed!
Then, off I flew to the glorious **Paris Opera Ballet** to witness **"The Sleeping Beauty".** Now, if you ask me, nothing is as truly enchanting as the Aurora's first grand awakening in the "Rose Adagio". This year's production starring the brilliant Marie-Agnès Gillot as Princess Aurora left me, as always, speechless! I must admit, I have a real soft spot for the choreography by Marius Petipa; every move in this ballet seems to perfectly embody the dreamy, delicate magic of childhood fairytales. And oh, those exquisite costumes by Olga Sheremeteva.
The sets, which featured an incredible detail, painted the most stunning pictures and allowed us to get lost in a world of fantastical ballrooms and charming woodland landscapes. The final Grand pas de Deux had me swooning! I tell you, Aurora's grace as she danced with the charming Prince Desiré made the very stage glow. It was as if the ballet was filled with pure, innocent, and true love.
Let's take a trip across the Atlantic, darlings! I found myself in New York City's **American Ballet Theatre** enjoying the powerful **"Giselle"**, which had me spellbound from the first choreographed step. Now, let's be honest, this story of the peasant girl Giselle's betrayal by the dashing Count Albrecht and her subsequent tragic transformation into a vengeful wili is an absolute tear-jerker.
It is hard to choose but for me, the first act, where Giselle expresses her yearning for a passionate and honest love with a delicate innocence, is perhaps the most heartbreaking part. Then, the ghostly world of the wilis in Act II had a beauty that touched the soul.
This production is certainly a triumph for the American Ballet Theatre, particularly with a spectacular performance by the divine Misty Copeland, whose breathtaking movements and exquisitely tragic expression truly did justice to the role of Giselle. I found myself, despite the dramatic tension of the production, whispering with awe at every gesture. A truly captivating piece!
Finally, a new creation caught my eye at the **Boston Ballet** - the newly released "**Solstice**". It is always wonderful to see young and fresh ideas on stage and this was truly unique! The work itself was based on the poetry of Robert Frost, but don't think for a minute that makes it boring. Solstice's unique use of lighting and minimalist sets left space for the dancers to explore their roles freely with real passion and vulnerability. The dance movements were full of expressive freedom and an amazing flow of emotions. There was a sense of a new era and exploration of ballet as an artistic form which thrilled me.
And speaking of exploration... while we are on the subject of ballet outside of the more classical and traditional, the **Rambert Dance Company's** latest show “ **A Dance for Two**, ” caught my eye this month. It is a contemporary dance piece that really showcased how contemporary dance is both raw and emotive.
What makes this piece particularly memorable is its raw and powerful portrayal of a relationship. The movements were full of passion, vulnerability, and real human emotion - a remarkable journey. There were times I felt that I could feel every ounce of their love, pain, and sadness - the two dancers managed to connect the emotions and energy of their characters.
Oh my darling readers, I am always amazed by the ability of ballet dancers to capture and translate such profound emotion through such precise movements! As for the dance pieces I have seen this December, it is a month to celebrate the true artistry and magic that makes ballet so incredibly unique, inspiring and captivating. I can’t wait to see what next month will bring!
Until then, remember, always twirl with style and elegance!
Yours, Fiona