Been awhile since I did these. We’re in a lockdown in my state and with the terrifying rise in COVID cases, I’m not going out anywhere apart from removing my stitches in a few days time. Time to watch the ballet.
Today’s collection of ballets is inspired by the Royal Ballet’s gala at the Royal Opera House (UK) — yes, I sprung for a streaming pass because I like to keep abreast of goings-on in the ballet world. I am quite glad I bought the pass — I haven’t gone for live concerts since January and I last attended live ballets over a year ago. With everything that’s going on in the world and in my life, I think it’s nice to give myself these little treats every now and then.
During the gala stream (still on-going since I keep pausing to do other stuff like oh, practice music and do housework. And I also keep repeating certain sections) I am enjoying Balanchine, Ashton and Macmillan choreography and some extremely exquisite dancing. I can’t obviously show this on my blog but I can show what I have found on Youtube of relevant choreography. Both for your enjoyment and mine, long after the on-demand access ends, so I can watch these at leisure.
Here’s that gorgeous balcony pas de deux from Macmillan’s choreography of Romeo and Juliet (music from Prokofiev), also from the Royal Opera House
Here’s the closing scene of Macmillan’s Romeo and Juliet featuring the iconic and first duo performing this — Nureyev and Fonteyn
A full production of Ashton’s The Dream, a pared-down version of A Midsummer Night’s Dream with music by Felix Mendlessohn, performed by the American Ballet Theatre.
George Balanchine’s Jewels (full ballet) by the Mariinsky Ballet — they only showed an excerpt of “Diamonds” in the streamed Gala piece, but this one has everything. Here’s more information about Jewels and the pieces/composers used for each section.
And here’s the Orland pas de deux from Woolf Works, with music by Max Richter, one of my favourite contemporary composers. And well, Virginia Woolf is one of the authors who’s had the most influence on me. I really want to watch the full ballet. Not on Youtube, nor on Medici.tv…
Here’s another extract from YT. This one has some excerpts from Woolf.
As a bonus, something unrelated to the Gala that I’ve been watching on demand, a thrilling choreographed version of Rimsky-Korsakov’s Scheherazade, also by the Mariinsky Ballet (Michel Fokine‘s 1910 choreography)
That’s all for this week’s Sunday Matinee. Next week is likely going to be all about the flamenco! Stay safe, everyone!
Featured image: Nureyev and Fonteyn in Macmillan’s Romeo and Juliet.