Review: Live at One
The season of live cinema relays of opera and ballet from The Royal Opera House continued recently with a performance of Giselle. This romantic tale of love and the betrayal of the peasant girl Giselle by scheming aristocrat-in-disguise Albrecht is one of The Royal Ballet’s crown jewels.
Their latest star, Russian principal Natalia Osipova, has just won Best Female Dancer at the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards and danced the role of Giselle sublimely. This remarkable artist was the trusting peasant girl who fell in love with her Albrecht. Expressive in every fibre of her being, she was utterly believable as the innocent who dies of a broken heart but returns from the gr
ave to save the man she loves from the wrath of the Wilis – the vengeful ghosts of jilted women.
Osipova’s supreme skill brought out the best in partner Carlos Acosta who conveyed a man overcome by his emotions. Feminist sentiment unfairly condemns the nasty aristocrat but Acosta’s portrayal highlighted Albrecht’s dilemma. He is a man trapped by aristocratic protocol as much as Giselle’s trapped by her humility. Acosta’s remorse in Act Two was deeply moving.
Grand ballet needs a grand entrance and the perfect start was dinner beforehand at luxury 5-star hotel One Aldwych, a stone’s throw from the Opera House. In reassuringly capable hands, we sat back and relaxed in their Indigo restaurant overlooking the spacious Lobby Bar with its lofty ceiling, contemporary art and large scale tropical floristry. The buzz rising from the ground floor was almost as exciting as being in a theatre foyer before curtain up.
This is One Aldwych’s first season of live screenings from the Royal Opera House and their Live at One package includes a glass of champagne with a delicious three-course dinner (dessert in the interval) as well as courteous and helpful staff who escort you to the 30-seat luxury cinema. A complimentary opera house programme fills in any gaps in your knowledge.
The Royal Opera House cinema seasons continues with Don Giovanni on Wednesday 12 February, The Sleeping Beauty on Wednesday 19 March, The Winter’s Tale on Monday 28 April and Manon Lescaut on Tuesday 24 June. Tickets on sale now: www.roh.org.uk/cinema
Live at One film screenings of opera, ballet and RSC theatre includes dinner in the hotel’s Axis restaurant at One Aldwych, London, WC2: £75 per person, 020 7300 0300 or axis@onealdwych.com
Their latest star, Russian principal Natalia Osipova, has just won Best Female Dancer at the Critics’ Circle National Dance Awards and danced the role of Giselle sublimely. This remarkable artist was the trusting peasant girl who fell in love with her Albrecht. Expressive in every fibre of her being, she was utterly believable as the innocent who dies of a broken heart but returns from the gr
ave to save the man she loves from the wrath of the Wilis – the vengeful ghosts of jilted women.Osipova’s supreme skill brought out the best in partner Carlos Acosta who conveyed a man overcome by his emotions. Feminist sentiment unfairly condemns the nasty aristocrat but Acosta’s portrayal highlighted Albrecht’s dilemma. He is a man trapped by aristocratic protocol as much as Giselle’s trapped by her humility. Acosta’s remorse in Act Two was deeply moving.
Grand ballet needs a grand entrance and the perfect start was dinner beforehand at luxury 5-star hotel One Aldwych, a stone’s throw from the Opera House. In reassuringly capable hands, we sat back and relaxed in their Indigo restaurant overlooking the spacious Lobby Bar with its lofty ceiling, contemporary art and large scale tropical floristry. The buzz rising from the ground floor was almost as exciting as being in a theatre foyer before curtain up.
This is One Aldwych’s first season of live screenings from the Royal Opera House and their Live at One package includes a glass of champagne with a delicious three-course dinner (dessert in the interval) as well as courteous and helpful staff who escort you to the 30-seat luxury cinema. A complimentary opera house programme fills in any gaps in your knowledge.
The Royal Opera House cinema seasons continues with Don Giovanni on Wednesday 12 February, The Sleeping Beauty on Wednesday 19 March, The Winter’s Tale on Monday 28 April and Manon Lescaut on Tuesday 24 June. Tickets on sale now: www.roh.org.uk/cinema
Live at One film screenings of opera, ballet and RSC theatre includes dinner in the hotel’s Axis restaurant at One Aldwych, London, WC2: £75 per person, 020 7300 0300 or axis@onealdwych.com