Darling, my darlings, can you believe it’s 2005 already? The new year has begun with a flurry of beautiful dance performances, a truly glorious kaleidoscope of colour and movement that leaves me feeling invigorated and, dare I say it, downright youthful! From the ethereal grace of Paris to the electrifying dynamism of New York, the world of ballet continues to enthrall and inspire.
Let’s start with the jewel of Paris, the exquisite **Ballets de l’Opéra National de Paris** under the direction of the charismatic **Brigitte Lefèvre**, a true icon. This month saw the sublime **La Sylphide**, with a delicate and charming performance from the beautiful **Sylvie Guillem**. The ethereal, spectral Sylvie, simply melts the hearts of her audiences and truly embodies the purity of classical ballet at its best. She is the very definition of grace in motion, with the kind of poise and elegance that only comes from years of dedication. Her breathtaking leaps and the expressive intensity of her arms seemed to create a mystical air that enchanted everyone.
Speaking of inspiring performances, the **Royal Ballet** in London has, of course, been a real tour de force, particularly their recent production of **Giselle**. **Darcey Bussell’s** performance as the tragic heroine was absolutely phenomenal. The way she portrayed Giselle's descent into madness was truly harrowing and deeply moving, her emotional range exquisite. The whole production was beautifully rendered, the staging exquisite, and I adored the ethereal quality of the Wilis. I was particularly taken by the choreography in Act Two which conveyed both the tragic beauty and terrifying power of the Wilis. The music, of course, is always exquisite - it really lifts you to a different plane of existence. A perfect start to the year!
In New York, the always exciting **American Ballet Theatre**, under the masterful direction of Kevin McKenzie, has presented some exceptional productions, showcasing the company’s versatility. Their performance of **The Sleeping Beauty** was simply glorious. The iconic sets, opulent costumes, and of course the dazzling Tchaikovsky score really make the show so opulent. I particularly enjoyed the exquisite dancing of **Misty Copeland**, a remarkable ballerina who exudes strength and grace, making her Aurora a revelation of beauty, with remarkable technical precision. The whole company danced with impeccable precision, each performance an absolute delight.
Then, of course, we have the always captivating **New York City Ballet**, with its signature athleticism and captivating energy. They really brought a fresh take on ballet to **The Nutcracker**, injecting a youthful and vivid energy into the story. The company’s technical brilliance shone, but for me, it’s always about the emotional depth they bring to the roles. They are able to inject a humanity into what can often be a very formal style. And we can't forget the remarkable **Tiler Peck**, with her incredible acrobatics and electrifying stage presence.
I’ve also been taken with the new productions by **Royal Danish Ballet** in Copenhagen, who always give a beautiful, delicate take on the classics. And the **Hamburg Ballet** are pushing the boundaries with some very creative choreography from their Artistic Director John Neumeier. His work is often thought-provoking, sometimes even provocative, but he never shies away from exploring the deepest emotions of the human soul.
This season is truly one for the dance lovers of the world. New choreographers and brilliant interpretations are giving fresh, vibrant energy to this ancient art form, while timeless masterpieces continue to enthrall and captivate audiences everywhere. So let us continue to celebrate the exquisite elegance and athletic power of ballet with all its captivating allure! And for all of us dancers - whether on the stage or simply in the heart- be sure to hold onto the passion and beauty of dance which illuminates our souls.
Darling, as the great Rudolf Nureyev once said - "When you're dancing - you become invisible to the world around you, but you are able to touch people's hearts in ways that nothing else can". And in these challenging times, we all need that kind of love. And as always, I remain yours devotedly,
***
Now for some closer look at the season’s highlights, in a little more detail, darling:
From the Seine to the Seine : The Dance in Paris
In Paris, a truly captivating dance season began with a memorable revival of **La Bayadère**, a classic of the romantic ballet that is always a feast for the senses. The choreography is opulent and exquisitely detailed. But beyond the dazzling spectacle, the drama of the story really touched the heart, the tragic romance of the young Nikiya and Solor. I’d say it was the dancing that really made the performance memorable, particularly the incredible artistry and technical skill of the legendary **Manuel Legris**. Oh Manuel - so powerful, so charismatic! And **La Sylphide**, a beautiful story of unrequited love set in a romantic Scottish Highlands, is an essential stop for ballet lovers visiting Paris.
The Magic of The Royal Ballet:
London is never lacking in cultural events, and this season has certainly been a real treasure trove for the ballet aficionado. I must admit that I’ve been particularly enthralled by the **Royal Ballet’s** performances this month. They are really bringing a fresh energy to the classical repertoire. As always, **Darcey Bussell** was a standout in the new production of **Giselle**. The company itself was, as you might expect, absolutely exceptional, each dancer exuding power, grace and artistry.
The **Birmingham Royal Ballet** also opened their season with an energetic performance of **The Nutcracker** that left everyone in the audience enthralled. This charming version, directed by David Bintley, captures the whimsical wonder of Tchaikovsky's masterpiece. The children's performances were delightful - so full of energy, but so beautifully trained!
New York’s Dance Scene:
Across the Atlantic in New York, ballet fans have been treated to an abundance of talent and creativity. **The American Ballet Theatre**, as usual, have been dazzling the audience with their productions of both classical and contemporary ballets. One of their latest triumphs was **Don Quixote** – simply sparkling in its combination of drama and delightful humour. And **Misty Copeland** - a remarkable ballerina - has been bringing an exquisite grace to every performance. What a force of nature!
The always inventive **New York City Ballet** has brought the world some new and exciting performances as well. Their production of **Serenade** is a joyful celebration of the human spirit, the beautiful movement is so heartwarming - really gets you to feel what it is to be alive. Their **Western Symphony** is another standout production. It is full of grit and passion - the energy is just palpable on stage! The choreography really does a fantastic job of conveying the wild freedom of the American West - it really is spectacular.
International Flair
Across the world, the dance scene has been abuzz with activity and excitement. In Copenhagen, the **Royal Danish Ballet** have performed an incredibly poignant version of **Swan Lake**, so beautifully staged. You could almost feel the tragedy of the tale in the air - it was simply sublime.
The **Hamburg Ballet** has been doing something truly exciting - a very unique production of **Anna Karenina**, a ballet adaptation of Tolstoy’s famous novel. It was truly gripping - so well choreographed and the emotional intensity was superb, giving you a very modern feel for the classic story. John Neumeier is a truly brilliant choreographer. And then the **Stuttgart Ballet** with a beautiful new take on **Romeo and Juliet** - the love and passion are simply unforgettable.
The new year has begun with such promise and a plethora of extraordinary productions to choose from. For any dance lover, it truly is a golden age, where ballet is more relevant, inspiring, and creative than ever before. The world is filled with passion and beauty on stages around the globe, a veritable kaleidoscope of movement that lifts the spirit and continues to inspire us all.
As we look ahead to the rest of 2005, I simply can't wait to see what artistic brilliance awaits! And I will, of course, be here to share my experiences and observations with you, my darlings.
Until next time!
***