Balanchine’s three-act ballet Jewels has become a global phenomenon. This autumn the ballet returns to New York City Ballet, the company for whom it was originally created (don’t miss this recent video where NYCB dancers Jenifer Ringer, Sterling Hyltin and Sara Mearns discuss each act), while the Royal Ballet presents this season’s final performance on [...]
Posts tagged as:
Romantic
If I were to write a book called “100 Ballets to See Before You Die” (perhaps there’s a market for that?), La Sylphide would certainly be one of my top 10 picks. It’s a ballet that digs deep, that still has much to say 174 years on. It centers on the pursuit of one’s dreams [...]
In this compelling article dance critic Alastair Macaulay examines what drives the archetypal “heroine of the water”, her allure, her psychological connotations. I recommend it as essential reading not only to those thinking about catching the last few performances of Ondine this week but also to any Swan Lake devotees. In La Motte Fouqué’s Undine, [...]
One of the attractions of a triple bill vs. a full-length ballet is the opportunity to discover a mix of different choreographers and dance styles, so that by the end of the evening you should find at least one ballet that is right for you. There is also the chance to discover up-and-coming dancers alongside [...]
Is this ballet for you? Go if: You are fond of white romantic vaporous tutus waltzing on the stage. Adagio (ie. slow) dancing makes you happy. Skip if: You prefer your ballets full-length and plot driven, with loads of pyrotechnics on the side. Themes Les Sylphides is a short (one act) plotless Romantic ballet, or [...]
Given the full run of Giselles, it is always very enjoyable to experience different casts and portrayals. This a challenge for the dancers; an opportunity to dare to find subtle ways of connecting with the audience and communicating the story. Giselle is the ultimate romantic ballet and a classic. The first act is full of [...]
