Darling, April has been such a whirlwind! I've flitted from London to Paris, New York to Milan, catching the most exquisite performances. I've been indulging in a symphony of styles, a breathtaking tapestry of grace and athleticism. So, grab a cup of Darjeeling and settle in, darlings, for my take on this season's most unforgettable ballet offerings.
First, let's take a trip across the pond to New York. I confess I was rather hesitant about **The Royal Ballet's** revival of **"The Sleeping Beauty"** at the **Metropolitan Opera House.** I've seen so many productions of this beloved classic! But darling, this was a revelation. Marianela Nuñez** as Aurora was pure, incandescent magic. Her technique is, of course, impeccable, but her characterization was utterly captivating. I could practically see the storybook prince unfold as she waltzed and pirouetted. The costumes? Pure opulence, darlings! Tchaikovsky's** score still brings me to tears. Iâve not felt so moved by a performance in years, itâs been added to my top 5 of all time. And who could forget **Steven McRae's** valiant Prince Desire? Those leaps, dear reader, were almost obscene! The performance left me utterly bewitched. And, wouldn't you know, darling, I was spotted in the front row alongside a certain fabulous Mr. **Tom Ford**!
While I was in New York, I was delighted to be able to catch **The New York City Ballet** at their exquisite **David H. Koch Theater** . Now, I have to say, darling, their recent interpretation of **Jerome Robbinsâ âAfternoon of a Faunâ** was not as exhilarating as it might have been. It was a touch⊠sterile. This was definitely not the whimsical, scandalous masterpiece I was expecting. Tiler Peck** gave a beautiful performance, her fluidity always a delight. The costumes by the great Karinska, were still breathtaking. A triumph of costume and technique for certain, but not the most memorable performance. I was in a little black dress, you know. Perfect for ballet but frankly more glamorous than anything I saw on the stage, ha!
My whirlwind travels took me next to the beautiful French capital. The sheer opulence of the **Palais Garnier** was a treat in itself, but my reason for visiting Paris was **The Paris Opera Ballet** , of course. What can one say about the majestic **"Swan Lake"**? Nothing short of spellbinding, my dears. Svetlana Zakharova** was, as always, absolutely magnificent as the Swan Queen. Her precision and control in those incredible solos were truly awe-inspiring, itâs worth the flight across Europe for a glimpse of her alone. Then there was the breathtaking final act; I practically wept! The Paris Opera Ballet is on top of its game right now. I couldnât have asked for a more stylish venue for the production either!
My Paris adventures took me to the chic **Salle Pleyel**, a fabulous venue, where I had the immense pleasure of seeing Martha Graham's **"Appalachian Spring"** performed by the Martha Graham Dance Company**. It is truly a remarkable piece, with an incredible choreography and stunning score, with Graham drawing the dance and costumes together as a brilliant piece of pure artistry. A testament to the importance of artistry in ballet. I went straight from the show to a sumptuous supper at Le Grand VĂ©four. What else could I do, darling, to get over such a magical performance?
Next on the itinerary was Italy's enchanting city, Milan, darling! Milan is a city of style and substance, and I was particularly excited to see La Scala** perform**"The Nutcracker". My dear! I confess that while I loved the setting, it was just a little too much of a "children's show". I am rather partial to Balanchineâs interpretation of the story and found the whole thing to be a little underwhelming. While I know **La Scala** has a stellar reputation. I didn't find it to live up to expectations. Though, a delightful afternoon in **Milanâs** shops followed the ballet was more enjoyable than the production!
Oh! Darling! I simply cannot forget the unforgettable **Royal Ballet** at **The Royal Opera House**, in my beloved London. Their âThe Winterâs Taleâ was a revelation, a production of breath-taking genius. The piece was staged to absolute perfection and gave a perfect glimpse into what modern ballet should look like. It truly pushed the boundaries of what ballet could be, with a spectacular set and costume design by the sensational **Christopher Oram**. The dance by **The Royal Ballet**, I should add, was sublimely impressive. This truly is what The Royal Ballet** is best at. It really showed its calibre as the finest company in the world. After that, it was straight to The Wolseley** , a true London staple, for cocktails with some wonderful company!
And lastly, my darling, a The Royal Ballet** performance I simply cannot overlook: their rendition of **âGiselleâ. ** As I settled into my favourite box at **The Royal Opera House** I knew this was going to be something special, and I wasnât disappointed! Natalia Osipova ** and ** Vadim Muntagirov ** were simply exquisite in the lead roles! It is a classic for a reason, darling, this production took all the timeless aspects of the piece, from the heartbreaking second act to the lightness and delicate choreography, and elevated them to breathtaking artistry. The ** Royal Ballet** at **The Royal Opera House** truly know how to show off what theyâve got!
So there you have it, darling! The crĂšme de la crĂšme of the world's ballet offerings! My favourite piece this month? **"Giselle"**. While it is impossible to truly pick a single performance of my favourites, I would not fault any one of my readers for selecting **"The Sleeping Beauty". ** I had the best time dashing from performance to performance across the globe. This truly is the Golden Age of ballet!
I can hardly wait for what next month brings, I can feel it, there are going to be more fabulous performances and a new collection of spectacular costumes in May, and who will be sat beside me in the boxes? Perhaps a **Delfina Delettrez** necklace and some Chanel pearls are called for! I must dash darling, I am in a meeting with a new, incredibly chic ballet boutique in **The Hamptons**!