Nutcracker at Opera Bastille

Cold Sunday afternoon in Paris, 2ºC and some snowflakes dancing here and there...

Christmas coming nearer by the second...

What a great opportunity then to go see Rudolf Nureyev's Nutcracker at the Opéra Bastille!

It was a special matinée organized to gather funds to support the educational programs "Dix mois d'Ecole et d'Opéra" and "Reve d'enfants, " and also to allow handicapped children to enjoy a spectacle of these unique characteristics.

And it was such a lovely afternoon!

The magic of Tchaikovski's music, the incredible perfection of Nureyev's choreography (created specially for the Opéra National de Paris in 1985), the profesionalism of the corps de Ballet, the Etoiles, Kevin Rhodes' musical conduction and the costumes... What can I tell you?

Fantastic the silvery white ones of the first act, the red ones of the second act and the golden yellow ones of the grand finale. I was quivering with excitement!

Such a pleasure for both ears and eyes...

Of course, tout Paris was there, starting with model Inés Sastre, acting as godmother to the event. She went with her new boyfriend, journalist and TV host, Jean-Luc Delarue. Together they've become one of the most exposed couples in show-biz. There were also many European Princes and Princesses and many important businessmen, always eager to support good causes.

But above all, there was plenty of children, all amazed and with their eyes clouded with fantasy, an effect this eternal piece has provoked and will continue to do so years and years on...