Musings on ballet, classical music, the violin, and life
Musings of a former ballet dancer who’s returned, years later, to the studio as a student.
San Francisco Ballet patrons love their story ballets, and the most beloved is surely Swan Lake. Whether it’s because of, or in spite of the 2010 film, Black Swan, seeing this ballet at least once seems to be on everyone’s bucket list. Next to Nutcracker, this is what draws the non-ballet-goer to the ballet. Artistic … Read more
Silicon Valley Ballet (formerly Ballet San Jose) did something really fun this winter: they flew to Spain and took their “Director’s Choice” program on tour. Twelve performances in eight cities, to sold out crowds and great acclaim, fulfilling a three-year goal of artistic director José Manuel Carreño to get these dancers onstage more. Last Monday’s … Read more
In January 2013, the news made headlines: the Paris Opera Ballet, that iconic institution, 355 years old, housed in one of the world’s most glamorous ballet venues (Palais Garnier – you can read my blog and see pics HERE), had chosen a director of dance to succeed Brigitte Lefèvre after her twenty-year tenure. The winner: Benjamin Millepied. He … Read more
So, I got to attend a second performance of San Francisco Ballet’s Nutcracker this past week, which confirms my hunch that, literally, I can’t get enough of this company and this production. Opening night or weekday matinee, it doesn’t matter. It was all brilliant. And watching a second performance is great fun because you … Read more
Interested in my dance-related fiction? Check out the Ballet Theatre Chronicles ( Off Balance , Outside the Limelight, Ballet Orphans), as well as A Dancer’s Guide to Africa. Just click on their titles! You see professional ballet dancers wearing them onstage. And this, you already know: they are beautiful, glittery, ethereal, like moving pieces of art. … Read more