A perfect ballet

Fernando rehearsing

Dear Fernando
We had a wonderful evening. Giselle is a perfect ballet – a landmark in the story of ballet.
You were super, I’m so glad you are getting the roles you deserve.
Thank you, incredibly a lot for inviting us. Andreas had to rush. He had to leave next morning for the menswear show in Milan – that’s why we didn’t see you after. Thank you for the champagne!
Love you, Vivienne

I showed you a picture from the Christmas card sent to me by my friend, Fernando Montano, a young First Artist with the Royal Ballet. He surprised us with tickets to the Royal Opera House to see their performance of Giselle.
Of all Romantic ballets Giselle is the one to see and know. It’s a real drama – a story of betrayal, nights filled with supernatural spirits and love that transcends even death. Giselle is not merely an excuse for dancing, but lives because of the drama it expresses. It’s not just a regular favourite of ballet lovers but also a wonderful work through which anyone can discover the enduring appeal of classical ballet.

The brilliant British dance critic, Arnold Haskell, wrote:

‘The dancer in Giselle must have a very strong technical equipment, and in addition to that a great range of expression. She starts as a carefree village girl, fond of dancing and very much in love. Next we see her betrayed and driven mad, until she dies a suicide. Then in the following act, she is a spirit who must impress upon us the fact that she is lightness herself and so make a vivid contrast with the re-cheeked villager of the first act. This acting raises innumerable difficulties. The scene of madness cannot be naturalistic or it would be altogether out of the picture. It must be lyrical and fit perfectly within the classical convention. The latitude allowed the actress is minute, every gesture is circumscribed. To succeed in Giselle means a triumph of personality, a unique example of personality that is technically disciplined.’ (Arnold Haskell, ‘Ballet’, Penguin, 1938)

As I’ve said to you before, it is this high level of discipline that makes ballet a true art form – and Giselle is a revelation.
My recommendation this week is Giselle, performed at the Royal Opera House until 19 February. Very reasonably priced tickets are still available.