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World of Arts:
'The Jewels' in his crown
Gwen Herat, from the Royal Opera House, Linbury
Having a love affair with the Royal Ballet is nothing new for me. But
it is different this time; it is live. It is the Jewels, a gloriously
magnificent ballet in three parts, originally choreographed by George
Balanchine of the New York City Ballet on 13 April, 1967 and later in
2007 for the Royal Ballet.
Today, they have done it again and it is the same version of
Balanchine and they are the Jewels in his crown though he is no more.
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Thiago Soares and Marianela Nunez in the Diamonds sequence of
the ballet Jewels mounted by the Royal Ballet with the original
choreography by George Balanchine. |
George Balanchine's ballet in three parts was a triumphant hit for
the Royal Ballet in November 2007 drawing high praise for the way the
Company infused the work with its own personality while honouring the
distinctly different styles presented in each part. Created for the New
York City Ballet in 1967, Jewels is in effect, three separate and
complete abstract ballets with a nominal link; each is colour-themed to
a gemstone and explores a choreographic style that reflects Balanchine's
dance influences and history. The romantic French manner of 'Emeralds'
which is second nature to the company's dancers from long acquaintance
with GISELLE, begins the sequence with music by Faure as drifting sylphs
and their cavaliers inhabit a courtly and malancholy dream-world.
'Rubies' is startling in contrast and brings a blast of mid 20 the
century pizzaz, set to jazz-inflected Stravinsky. The company's obvious
relish of the cheeky show-girl steps in 'Rubies' and the swank and
swagger of its male roles in infectious.
Lastly, the 'Diamonds' adopts the grand imperial ballet style of St.
Petersburg where Balanchine's career began, Using the three movements of
Tchaikovsky's Third Symphony, the magisterial duet for the leading
couple which is the dazzling whitetute'd ensembles and the final
exhilarating processional polonaise make 'Diamonds' a glittering homage
to the high classicism of Petipa.
The gem-uncrusted costumes, realized by Holly Hynes are based on
Baroara Karinska's originals. Jean-Marc Puissant's ravishing stage
designs Art Nouveau for 'Emeralds'. Art Decor for 'Rubies' and Tsarist
splendour for 'Diamonds' were commissioned by the Company for the
production. 'Jewels is one of the most glamorous and sophisticated
additions to the repertoire of the Royal Ballet in recent years.
George Balanchine (1904-1983)
- This Russian-American dancer was one of the best and illustrious
choreographers in the world. There is not great dancer that escaped his
choreography. He discovered many dancers and mounted new ballets both
classical and modern. He studied at the Petrograd Ballet School in 1914
and graduated in 1921. He created his first ballets in 1920 and ran into
trouble with the traditional-minded choreographers for some of his
unconventional dance productions. After Diaghilev's death in 1929,
Balanchine worked for the Paris Opera Ballet, the Royal Danish ballet
and R blums Russe De Monte Carlo. He struck up a life-long friendship
with Stravinsky whose music dominated most of his production. With the
Stravinskt Festival in 1937 where he choreographed most of the excerpts,
Stravinsky launched his phenomenal career that grouped all classical
ballets and the world's leading dancers under his command. Every ballet
found in most of the company's repertoires contain the
Balanchine/Stravinsky combination even today.
He received all the top international dance awards that includes the
Handel Medallion of the City of New York (1970), Legion d'Honours
(1975), Order of Dannebrong and the US Medal of Freedom (1983) just
before he died. |
