Darling, let's talk ballet. May! What a month for dance, for art, for a graceful swirl of a feather boa. It's as if the entire world had taken one long, drawn-out plié and risen to embrace the poetry of the stage. I've had my fair share of jet-setting this month, and the journey has been divine!
A Breathtaking "Swan Lake" at the Bolshoi
Let's start in Moscow, shall we? I simply had to take a peek at the Bolshoi's latest "Swan Lake." They call it the jewel of ballet and, my dears, they are right! I've seen my share of "Swan Lakes" in my time, you see, but this production simply had that certain je ne sais quoi.
- The sets were exquisite - lush, glittering, a feast for the eyes. And oh, the costumes! The delicate tutus, the rich silks and velvets, so dramatic, so exquisitely designed. A perfect balance between the traditional and the new.
- Speaking of "new," the ballerina, darling, what a talent. Her lightness, her exquisite control, simply took my breath away. The famous white swan sequence? Mesmerizing. I was entranced. The black swan? A creature of shadow, an explosive firestorm of passion. Perfection. She owned the stage, leaving me feeling like a silly goose who hadn't known a true queen until this moment. The audience? We were swept up, in her talent, in the drama, the pure poetry of it all. It's rare you experience that complete, unyielding awe that makes the air thick and your heart beat faster.
You see, darling, good "Swan Lake" needs more than just great technique. It demands a sense of ethereal romance and utter drama, a fierce passion that crackles and seethes. And that is exactly what this production had. I found myself humming "The Swan Theme" all week later - an unwelcome sign that I had been properly smitten, but there it is, you see! I'm a simple woman, who can't resist the siren's call of good, good dance.
A Royal Soirée at the Royal Opera House
From Moscow, darling, I took a flight to London, straight to the Covent Garden Royal Opera House. The air buzzes there, an expectation that can only come with such an iconic location. This month's star was, of course, the exquisite "Romeo and Juliet," which was celebrating a certain 25th anniversary. You'll have to forgive me, but I'm rather fond of the Royal Ballet and I simply had to take in the grandeur, the sheer beauty and magic, you know.
- They had the whole works darling, costumes straight out of a Shakespearean ballroom, the music swelling and sighing, every nuance beautifully rendered.
- Of course, my eyes were glued to the dancers, and let's just say the love story blossomed. Such tenderness, such heartache, the ballet itself became an emotion, a palpable energy in the theatre. Romeo, he had such virility and heart. Juliet, my word, the sheer youthful abandon and heart-stopping grace. It was a testament to all things great and beautiful about art, of the delicate connection between drama, movement and pure emotion.
The final scene? Darling, they actually made me cry. It felt like watching an impossible tragedy, a poem that resonated in your very soul. It wasn't merely about the plot; it was about the performance. Each dancer took you right inside the play, allowing you to taste their pain, their joy, their deepest desires. I felt, for a fleeting moment, a kinship, the connection with a world of feelings that danced around the world on those talented legs. This ballet, I must say, it took me to a higher level of art. My soul soared!
Modern Marvels at the Guggenheim in New York
New York City, my home away from home, never fails to mesmerize me, darling. But my favorite spot this time was not at Lincoln Center, but uptown, at the Guggenheim. They had, well, the most interesting exhibit this month. Not the traditional "ballet", as we've been used to it, but an artistic statement in movement, one that went further and deeper. The world-famous choreographer, a maverick with a reputation for the avant-garde, brought a modern approach to movement.
- Darling, it was not for the faint of heart, the performance. There were stark lighting effects and unexpected angles that gave me a little twinge of stage fright! But thatâs how she plays the game, this choreographer. No costumes. Just the sheer raw human body and movement. We've had our fair share of costume design trends in ballet, my dears, but this production took it down to bare necessities.
- They call this âmovement artâ for a reason, you know. The dancers were like silent actors telling stories with their bodies, making bold statements about contemporary life. There was an urgency and truth to their movements that was a refreshing departure from traditional techniques. She doesnât just dance on the stage, she takes you off it. The sheer force of her bold visions and innovations leave an impact on you. I left wanting to run and experiment, try to discover a new way of feeling.
If I were a younger woman, a real dancer in the world, I'd go out and take notes from this woman, take my craft in an entirely new direction, explore new ways to interpret, innovate. It was inspiring. Yes, there are elements of the traditional ballet world that feel a bit âstale" in the modern age, you see. And what this bold, bold performance has achieved was a refreshing, dare I say it? ... radical departure from tradition! It brought back my energy, the hunger to experience and move beyond whatâs been deemed the âexpectedâ I don't always agree with the way they do things, you see, but I find it invigorating to have my sensibilities stretched. We should never stop looking at what's new and innovative!
Beyond the Stage: The Beauty of a Ballerinaâs Lifestyle
It isn't always about the productions themselves, my dears. You have to learn to savor the life as well. Being a ballet dancer, it's about so much more than the performances themselves, you see. Itâs an all-encompassing way of living that goes beyond the curtain, it bleeds into every part of you. Of course, there is always time for cocktails and the newest, sleek, couture designers, but we love a classic. Donât forget your diamonds, my darling! For there is nothing as refined and elegant as a ballerinaâs diamond necklace. But most importantly? My darlings, you must make a space for beauty. A world of balletic finesse demands we make a home for this elegance.
- My French linen sheets and those exquisite handmade velvet slippers? Essential for those long stretches and recovery. You cannot underestimate the simple things, you see! I do my ballet exercises before breakfast each morning. The morning sunlight on those crystal vases that sit on the dressing table. Nothing gives me that serene grace like watching those elegant shapes move in the sunshine. It sets the mood, the feeling for the day!
- You must learn to embrace grace. Be it in the form of delicate jasmine tea, or a simple bowl of lilies that sits next to you on a Sunday morning. Find a sense of movement within your home. Find the balance between your soul and your world, that space where you can allow the magic to flourish. Be surrounded by those tiny moments of beauty, my dears. And let them lead you to something magnificent! It all starts from somewhere, you see.
As you embark on your own May adventures, I implore you, let yourself be seduced by the beauty of ballet. Its power lies in its transcendence - a timeless, elegant art that unites us, that inspires and empowers us. Remember, darling, a good ballet, a stunning stage performance - it's just one part of a greater universe that touches us on the most beautiful levels.
Now go forth, my darling, and enjoy the show. The curtain is up! And, darling, for your ultimate fashion indulgence, this month we are swooning over the "Tutu-tastic Collection" from Balmain. Those sharp cuts and soft tulle, they remind me of some of the finest performances Iâve seen. A match made in heaven! But that's another story for another day! I look forward to reporting back with all of the latest dance trends next month!