The Year Dawns, Our Tutus Turn: A Ballet-Lover's Diary
Darlings! As we enter the crisp air of 2009, can you feel it? A shimmer, a spark, a whisper of grand jetés in the breeze! Ah, the promise of a new year, brimming with the breathtaking grace and powerful artistry of ballet. I, your ever-stylish guide through the swirling world of tutus and tendus, am ready to divulge the very best in the global ballet scene this month. Buckle up, darlings, because this journey is as elegant as a pointe shoe and as exciting as a thrilling pas de deux!
First, let’s take a graceful pirouette over to London, the beating heart of the ballet world. The Royal Ballet, ever the standard bearer, begins the year with a glittering rendition of Giselle. Now, this is no mere revival, darling. This is a Giselle reimagined for the 21st century, a beautifully melancholic journey of betrayal and love with an astonishing level of athleticism. The stunning Alina Cojocaru, in the role of Giselle, is simply sublime, capturing the fragility and strength of the young, heartbroken heroine with masterful ease. She dances with such aching beauty, each gesture telling a tale of devotion and despair. It’s a breathtaking tour de force, perfectly complemented by the smouldering, almost dangerous Prince Albrecht, exquisitely danced by the magnificent Johan Kobborg. You'll leave the Royal Opera House buzzing with emotion, it’s ballet at its finest, truly a love letter to the art form.
While we are in the realm of the Royals, it’s time to make our way to The Royal Danish Ballet. You may think of Copenhagen as charming and picturesque, darling, but these Danes know how to put on a show! In their revival of The Sleeping Beauty, they showcase a stunning visual feast. Think jewel-toned costumes that gleam under the theatre’s lights, exquisite sets that transcend reality, and a masterful score from Tchaikovsky. The entire performance is as enchanting as a fairy tale, full of dramatic power and nuanced storytelling. Let me tell you, the Aurora, dancer Sofie Laurberg, is an ethereal gem – a vision in white silk, gliding effortlessly across the stage. This Aurora isn’t just beautiful; she is a creature of extraordinary grace and effortless technique, making even the most demanding of steps appear effortless.
But wait! The Parisian dance scene, always chic and avant-garde, is also abuzz this month. The Paris Opera Ballet presents a daring exploration of movement, Le Sacre du Printemps. This ballet, for the uninitiated, darling, is known for its primitivist energy and bold, disjointed movements. You can't quite understand what you're seeing, but oh, how fascinating it is. This new interpretation, directed by the inimitable Pina Bausch, is absolutely breathtaking, re-imagining the ballet with a modern lens while retaining the original power and drama.
Speaking of modern dance, darling, The New York City Ballet throws open their doors to celebrate a new work from the extraordinary Justin Peck, a young choreographer whose talent burns as brightly as a thousand stage lights. His work, The Year of the Tiger, explores themes of loss and resilience in a deeply moving and poignant way. The dancers are incredible – their athleticism and emotional depth are truly captivating. Don’t you just love a young, exciting artist shaking things up, leaving a splash of colour on the dance floor?
Now, for a touch of the whimsical, darling! We head to The Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow. They present a production of The Nutcracker, which will absolutely charm your socks off, even though it's something of a ballet cliché. The stage is aglow with a whimsical world of dancing snow fairies, toy soldiers, and of course, the charming Nutcracker. Here, you have the pleasure of watching Russian artistry at its peak, where precision and athleticism reign supreme. Their dancers are so impressive, especially when it comes to their acrobatic feats.
Let's indulge our inner fashionista with some Ballet à la Mode now! And what is more fabulous than attending the prestigious Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg? They're holding a dazzling display of Russian artistry in their performance of La Bayadère. Imagine, darling, costumes worthy of a royal ball, each embroidered with sparkling stones, glittering like a constellation. This is a performance that embraces the drama and elegance of the romantic era. You’ll feel yourself swept back to a more grand time with every twirl of a tutu. I recommend bringing your fanciest opera gloves to add a bit of flair!
Ballet Is for Every Body
And finally, darlings, I want to talk about accessibility, something close to my heart. You might be surprised to know that, this year, ballet is spreading its wings further than ever before. The National Ballet of Canada is hosting a wonderful initiative, offering special sensory-friendly performances of Swan Lake for audiences on the autism spectrum and their families. This initiative is making ballet even more inclusive and accessible to all, a wonderful thing indeed. I adore that ballet is not just an art form for the privileged but is finding ways to reach a wider, more diverse audience.
And it’s not just the stage, darling, where the magic happens. We also have ballet on film! The world premier of The White Crow, the biopic about the life of Rudolf Nureyev, will be held in January, promising an enthralling look into the world of ballet. This story, about the exiled ballet legend, is as fascinating as it is tragic. And just like a good dance, you can bet it’ll leave you spellbound!
It’s simply a brilliant time to be a ballet lover! There are so many incredible productions happening across the globe. With each elegant pirouette, every breathtaking jump, every passionate story, we are reminded that ballet truly is an art form like no other. This month, it's all about savouring the beauty of each performance, celebrating the artistry that moves and enchants. Have a wonderful time at the theatre, my darlings. And don't forget to wear your fabulous shoes – a woman needs her footwear just as much as she needs a grand jeté.
Your Guide to The Month’s Ballet Events
• **Royal Opera House, London, UK**: **Giselle** with Alina Cojocaru and Johan Kobborg, premiering 2nd January
• **Royal Danish Theatre, Copenhagen, Denmark**: **The Sleeping Beauty**, featuring dancer Sofie Laurberg, opens 10th January.
• **Palais Garnier, Paris, France**: Le Sacre du Printemps, Pina Bausch directs a new interpretation, a captivating performance from January 15th.
• **New York State Theatre, New York City**: The Year of the Tiger by Justin Peck. New York City Ballet premiere 17th January.
• **Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, Russia**: The classic The Nutcracker, a visually dazzling, impressive ballet begins 23rd January.
• **Mariinsky Theatre, Saint Petersburg, Russia**: The vibrant and stunning La Bayadère premieres on January 27th.
Film:
• The White Crow, the biopic about the life of Rudolf Nureyev, will premier worldwide on January 28th.
A Few More Recommendations
• **Dance classes**: Immerse yourself further into the world of ballet. Many local dance schools offer drop-in classes. It's a great way to reconnect with your inner ballerina.
•The National Ballet of Canada, Toronto is offering a wonderful series of Sensory-friendly Performances this month, including performances of Swan Lake. They cater to the needs of the autism spectrum and are wonderful for families and children.
And remember, darlings, the most important rule when it comes to ballet is this: let it move you. Let it inspire you. And most of all, let it make you feel completely enchanted!
With love, your dance devotee