Dreams of Albrecht

Marcelino Sambe and Anna Rose O'Sullivan of The Royal Ballet in the pas de deux from Giselle. performed in June 2024 at Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival.

Edited by : Matthew Ball
Music : Richard Strauss, Also Sprach Zarathustra

Very often whilst watching from the wings I am even more aware of the superhuman nature of my colleagues. In many cases I actually enjoy watching ballet more from the wings. The glare of the lights, the proximity of the artists, the sounds of their heavy breathing and the physical exertion in pursuit of poetry in motion, (also I am able to move around which suits a fidgety dancer like myself.
This video is certainly on the dreamy and indulgent side but I often think that theatre and especially these romantic ballets are all about sustaining a moment of rare beauty, stretching out the ever passing time with displays of grace and gravity defying movement. I hope this little video taken on my phone from the wings @jacobspillow a few weeks ago will make some of you watching hold your breath for a second and feel the elation I felt watching these consumate performers. Of course we all know this well beloved ballet, but sometimes a fresh perspective offers an entirely new response.

I chose to set the video to Strauss' moving tone poem 'Also sprach Zarathustra'
Like Giselle I think it is another iconic work that could do with a fresh rethink as its cliched opening has almost drained it of its powerful drama and imagination.