It is not for nothing that our family motto reads: Le Coq à chanté de bon matin! There I was - this holy Sunday morning - attending yet another performance of the SABT’s Sleeping Beauty at the Joburg Theatre which, for all intents and purposes, has become my church. And, believe me: It was worth the earlier rise!In today’s cast we saw the exquisite principal, Burnise Silvius, dancing an Aurora as she had never danced the role before! Arms, hands, feet – every elegant extension – were absolutely flawless. Coupled to her beautiful technique, Silvius is also intensely musical and well on her way to earning the title of prima ballerina assoluta. She is, without any doubt in my mind, the company’s star.
Today was the third time during this season that I saw young Humberto Montero dancing. This boy’s Prince Florimund had just become better and better during the course of this season. He is a really competent dancer and any ballerina, I am sure, would love to dance with a partner that shows off the very best of her!ChloéGrové as the Lilac Fairy is so beautiful and so delicious and so very very good! What more can I say Chloé?
In the pit was Sonja Bass, making a small JPO sound HUGE! Yes, girl, you now work that Tchaikovsky like a seasoned ballet conductor! This Madam had evolved from a very fast-paced and, at times, hectic opening night (it was a first ballet night for her!) to a remarkably sensitive and supportive Maestra, never taking her eyes off the dancers while controlling simultaneously the musicians with an iron baton! Had it not been for the sumptuous and scrumptious Sleeping Beauty that the SABT so magnificently unfolded on that stage this morning I could happily have sat with my eyes closed just listening to the exquisite tones of that JPO Big Band Sound!
To Trish Downing and Iain MacDonald: Good Stuff!
To the Company: Thank you for all the pleasures you gave me this season!
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