Watching an interview with the late New York City Ballet artistic director and choreographer, George Balanchine, on a DVD titled simply Balanchine (2004) led me to an interesting Guerlain reference. In an interview, Balanchine mentions that he liked buying perfumes for his dancers and especially Guerlain.
Although he did not name any specific perfumes, in another article I read that Mitsouko was among his favorites. The interviewer must have made a comment about the beauty of dancers as they trail perfume on the stage like lithe fragrant flowers, to which Balanchine replied, waving away the remark, “No, no, I just like to know once I get to the theater whether everybody is present and who is missing.” This was a quintessential Balanchine moment. Having such a grounded perspective in the ephemeral world of ballet is a true rarity.
Photo: George Balanchine and Suzanne Farrell in rehearsal.
2 Comments
Diane: What a coincidence! I, too, watched this doc and actually thought of you, darling. I also watched “Elusive Muse” another doc which is about Suzanne Farrell, Balanchine’s last muse and my favorite ballerina. I really enjoyed both, particularly the sight of Farrell’s dance. It’s mindbogglingly beautiful. I mean, I’ve never seen anything like it and I’ve watched quite a bit of ballet. She has this special gift as far as how she intertwines the dance with the music. Really rare and beautiful, as is she (still is). May 25, 2005 at 10:25pm
mireille: What a lovely site … and I’m excited to be able to read your reviews — justifiably famous — I look forward to more! May 25, 2005 at 8:06pm