Oh darling, what a month for ballet! The season is truly blossoming and, as the cherry blossom petals swirl around my Parisian apartment, it is with a heart filled with joie de vivre that I begin my review of this glorious month's performances.
Let's start with the sublime "Giselle," a production which, although often revived, truly reached new heights at the Royal Opera House last month. The very air crackled with expectation as our darling Alina Cojocaru stepped onto the stage in the role of the bewitched Giselle. Oh, how beautifully her sorrow echoed in every turn and arabesque, her heartbroken heart pulsating in every flutter of her skirt. My dearest Alina has that effortless grace and vulnerability that sets her apart, you know - she dances the sorrow and heartbreak as though it were her own. Her Albrecht, a breathtakingly elegant Marianela Nuñez, brought a tender and broodingly romantic air to the role. Every partnering move was poetry in motion, so beautifully orchestrated and infused with unspoken passion. A true ballet coup - one for the books, darlings.
On the other side of the world, in the bustling city of Tokyo, I heard glowing reviews for "Swan Lake" performed by the Tokyo Ballet. This timeless tale always captures my imagination but something about the way the Japanese interpret this classic story always thrills me. Their attention to detail and the ethereal quality they bring to the dance is quite magnificent. And then, of course, their costumes, darling! One would expect nothing less from a company who truly values exquisite craftsmanship. I have a weakness for beautiful tutus and the delicate designs worn by these ballerinas are simply divine.
And now let's move on to New York City! The American Ballet Theatre has always been one of my favorite companies - a real melting pot of talented dancers with incredible energy. Their performance of "The Sleeping Beauty" was an explosion of artistry, drama, and beauty, a dazzling fusion of technique and passion. And, darling, what was the music like? Just breathtaking, absolutely breathtaking! "The Sleeping Beauty," with its timeless narrative of love, betrayal, and triumph, is always a feast for the senses. It's the quintessential ballet, so beautifully written and choreographed it takes me straight to another world, another time, and transports me completely! The costumes, of course, were fabulous. Everything flowed together beautifully, like a grand symphony for the eyes!
Across the river in Brooklyn, The Martha Graham Dance Company presented a breathtaking retrospective. Now, let's be clear, I adore Graham's style - it's raw, visceral, and intensely emotional. She really changed the landscape of dance! It's quite the juxtaposition to the more classic, traditional pieces we often see on stage, and that's what makes her work so brilliant! In her dances, we get to experience the unvarnished, the pure, raw, and very human side of movement. In Brooklyn, I watched as they danced with power and exquisite precision, drawing us in and revealing a story without a single word being spoken. That is the magic of ballet - it's an art form that speaks to our deepest emotions, even when there is no spoken dialogue!
Now, let me tell you, if there's one thing more fabulous than seeing ballet, it's the anticipation of it! So many exciting events are scheduled for this month, darling, and it makes me positively giddy just thinking about them.
- ** The Berlin Staatsballett ** are going to present a new interpretation of "The Nutcracker". I have always loved this Christmas ballet, so I'm looking forward to seeing their unique and artistic take on this classic story. And I hear that the costumes will be divine, inspired by the boldest avant-garde trends of the 1920s. Now isn't that just divine!
- ** The Bolshoi in Moscow!** It just doesn't get any more iconic than that, does it darling? And this month, they will be reviving a production of "Spartacus" with all the dramatic grandeur you can imagine! Now I am telling you - this is the ballet performance for anyone who craves drama and epic tales. Just a symphony of motion!
- **Back in Paris** there's a truly fascinating show happening this month. I’m simply dying to see the French-Senegalese choreographer Germaine Acogny perform. She is a living legend of dance - the first black choreographer to enter the prestigious Paris Opera. She uses the body in an entirely different way, creating something raw and primal, truly African.
- **And, of course, in London**, we have the "Strictly Ballroom" musical on stage at the Piccadilly Theatre. Darling, I am just tickled pink about this. Now, you might say, "Strictly Ballroom - is that really a ballet? " Well, it may not be your traditional ballet, but the choreography, the storytelling, the sheer energy and brilliance of this production are all truly extraordinary! My beloved friend Paul Merriman, a world-famous dance choreographer and friend, will be appearing in it. And just you wait darling, you will be dazzled!
And that's not all, darling! As if this calendar weren’t exciting enough, I have just discovered a new ballet boutique that has opened its doors in Chelsea. Imagine - a boudoir for balletomanes, filled with gorgeous outfits for both on and off-stage performance! There's nothing quite as exciting, is there? I found the most exquisite chiffon top, adorned with pearl beaded embroidery, and I can just imagine myself dancing a delicate pas de deux across a Parisian cafe in it. I am also on the hunt for some beautiful leotards. This one - with the exquisite lace-up back and a gorgeous ballet pink shade - is simply irresistible. A little slice of ballet heaven, wouldn't you say?
My dearest lovelies, let us remember, ballet is an art form that never grows old. It is always evolving, always reaching for new heights and offering a beautiful blend of elegance, strength, grace, and passion. This is a month full of wonder and discovery for any ballet lover. Enjoy the ride, and do tell, what are your favorite ballet experiences for the month? I would absolutely love to hear about them.