Hotel Europe...

After having enjoyed "Hotel Europe" (by Bernard-Henri Levy, starring Jacques Weber) at its première in Sarajevo, I saw it again three months later at the Theâtre de l'Atelier, here in París.

I loved it even more, if that's ever possible, and I'm happy for its success.

I heartily recommend it!

Chantecler...

I love tango with passion. And I don't know how to dance it. I've never tried either, because I'm sure I couldn't do it... 

But every time there's a good tango show, specially in Paris, I never miss it!

That's why I happily went to the première of "Chantecler Tango", a musical by Mora Godoy, who will be performing at the Theatre Châtelet in Paris till November 3rd.

With a troupe of 23 proffesionals and an outstanding choreography, Mora proves to be the best Argentine tango dancer. She is so good she even allows herself to play Rita Hayworth in Gilda.

Among the audience were many Argentines, journalists and TV crews, plus the staff of the Argentine Embassy.

I enjoyed it a lot and, of course I felt really moved, as I usually do when I'm in contact with the "Argentinity" but in another country.

We then went behind the scenes to greet Mora and all the dancers.

Given the applauses and general enthusiasm, this will be a huge success... 

Kinky Boots...

On my last visit to New York, in April, I bumped into my good friend Gervasio, who was also in town. While we had lunch, he told me about this musical he had loved really much and that was new to Broadway.

As I knew I would be returning in May, I left all settled and bought my tickets to see "Kinky Boots." There was a time when I used to go a lot to Broadway... But, then, I kind of stopped for a while.

So, with much joy, this week I returned to Times Square and felt the usual magic.

"Kinky Boots" is the success of the season, it has 13 nominations to the Tony Awards (the Oscars of the theatre) and it's always sold-out!

And to tell you the truth, it's worth it! I felt bewitched:  by the story, the music, the leading actors (Billy Potter and Stark Sands, both nominated), the costumes and, above all, that professionalism, so American, that makes everything turn out just PERFECT. They all sing, dance and act amazingly.

I somehow felt sad for having been away from Broadway for so long... I realized I've missed the pleasure of enjoying a good musical... This is why I've decided to return sooner to the Broadway theatres.

"Kinky Boots," was originally a 2005 British movie and writer Harvey Fierstein and singer Cindy Lauper adapted it to transform it into a musical...

I truly recommend it...

I'm wearing a Lanvin's dress and Charlotte Olympia's shoes. The clutch, by Bottega Veneta.

"Le Prenom"

Le Prenom, in French, means "the name." Thus, the title of the play by authors Matthieu Delaporte and Alexander de la Patellière, which premiered last night at the Multiteatro in Buenos Aires.

I must say that I felt extremely proud to see that the Argentine production had nothing to envy its French counterpart, not only in the casting choices but in Arturo Puig's direction (although this was his directorial debut, he made an excellent job!). 

The production, by RGB, was also sensational.

Allow me to tell you something: two years ago I was invited to Paris' première of "Le Prenom," with the performance of Patrick Bruel, a friend of mine, and I loved it. I laughed out loud, and back home, I told my sister, who also went to see it. One thing led to the other and... voilá: "Le Prenom" is in Bs. As.

Last night, at the première, apart from the press, there were many guests, including famous actors, and my favourite: Ricardo Darin.

It's so nice to mingle with the "theatre crowd." With great joy, I took my seat and I wasn't let down... As all the audience, I laughed from begining to end!! Outstanding cast: Carlos Belloso, incredible; Germán Palacios, so handsome and excellent; Mercedes Funes, too. My favourite: Jorgelina Aruzzi... simply amazing.

I could tell you the plot... but I won't. so you'll go and see it. You'll thank me for it...

Ferragosto...

Since you've been asking, here's a brief wikipedic explanation of the Feast of Ferragosto...

Ferragosto is an Italian secular celebration that takes place on August 15th and which is usually an excuse to travel to vacations spots such as the beach or mountains.

The term Ferragosto derives from the latin expression Feriae Augusti (Augustus' rest) indicating a festivity set up by the Emperor Augustus in the year 18B.C. which was an addition to the existing and very ancient Roman festivals which fell on the same month, to celebrate the harvest and the end of the main agricultural tasks.

In the Catholic tradition, Ferragosto coincides with the celebration of the day in which Virgin Mary is taken to Heaven. 

In many cities and towns, local festivities are organized to celebrate that day and those to follow.

In Montepulciano, many tourists come to town to rest and escape from the heat of August in Italy.

The main event is the Bruscello, which means "arboscello," small tree branch.

Il Bruscello Poliziano has been taking place, since 1939, between the 12th and the 15th of August, in the Cathedral's Sagrato, in Piazza Grande.

The Bruscello is a type of popular Tuscan theatre, recited and sung by amateur actors. The themes vary year after year (epical representations, historical events or famous plays), and the scripts, costumes and set design are the work of the "bruscellanti," a group of people that do all this just for the love of tradition.

This year I saw "Orpheus and Eurydice."

But all comes to an end, and it's time to leave Montepulciano and its Ferragosto, to go to other countries and find new things to tell you...

Matinée Rêve d'Enfants...

Once again, I was invited to the special gala the AROP (Association pour le Rayonnement de l'Opera National de Paris), together with other patrons, offer to more than 600 kids, with no families or money, so that they can enjoy a performance of Opera.

This year it was "Cendrillon" (Cinderella), with music by Serge Prokofiev and choreography by Rudolf Nureyev. The choreography was, in fact, extremely original, presenting a modern-day Cinderella, who dreams of succeeding in Hollywood and who finds her prince charming in a movie director...

Wonderful set design and costume. Agnès Letestu, étoile de l'Opera, was really fantastic as Cinderella.

As usual, it was a pleasure to see the joy and hope in the eyes of the young people, specially three weeks from Christmas... 

Tonight I cried because I'll never know how to tango...

Although I've just arrived from Marrakech, tonight I went to see the last performance in Paris, at the Theatre du Chatelet, of "Tanguera." This amazing Tango show, created in 2002 by Diego Romay and Mora Godoy, has already toured the world with huge success and, for the second time (the first one was in 2008), is being presented here, in Paris.

I've already seen the show in Buenos Aires, but I couldn't help seeing it again on a different setting and, above all, in such a passionate city for tango as Paris is... By the theatre's doors, many handed out brochures announcing tango classes in different Parisian neighborhoods... Tempting!

But no, it won't be. After 85 minutes of the best tango in the world, danced by incredible professionals, I've realized I will never be able to tango dance... I have no talent.

Theirs, however, is huge. And all the audience perceived it so, because they were given a standing ovation and asked for more, which they happily complied. A pleasure.

As usual, everything that has to do with Argentina gets me emotional... It must be that my heart just belongs there...

Ballet from the Bolshoi Theatre at Paris' Opera Garnier...

Gala at the Opera Garnier. I invited my sister yo see the Ballet from the Bolshoi Theatre, which is giving a series of performances here in Paris. And tonight the special Gala is organized by the AROP (Association pour le Rayonnement de l'Opera National de Paris), presenting "Flammes de Paris," a ballet choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky, about the French Revolution.

All Paris was there: men in smoking, women in long dresses and very elegant.

The performance was simply PERFECT. Not a false step, nor a doubting dancer... Virtuosity as I've never seen before. Everyone danced with such grace, coordination and talent, that we were all left breathless.

A special congratulation for Maria Alexandrova, the étoile of the Bolshoi, absolutely marvelous.

And I don't want to forget to mention the splendid set design, costume and lighting...

We went out to the beautiful Parisian night, full of stars and crescent moon, with the sense of peace and fulfillment such artistic expression produce...

As you can see, I wore an Oscar de la Renta I've already used in Buenos Aires, on August 2010...

Concert at the Teatro Colón...

Since its opening, on May 25th 2010, I've been willing to go to the newly renovated Teatro Colón. My last time there was on May 2003 and I cried with Puccini's "Tosca."

Today, after so many years, I entered again the glorious Colón...

Thanks to an invitation from French Ambassador in Argentina, Mr. Jean-Pierre Asvazadourian, and Buenos Aires' Minister of Culture, Mr. Hernán Lombardi, I enjoyed an exclusive performance of French pianist Bertrand Chamayou, a 30-year-old talent that is considered a huge promise by the French. Since 2006 he is touring the world masterly performing music by Franz Listz, Félix Mendelsshon, Camille Saint-Saens... as he did exactly tonight. In an hour-and-a-half-long concert, just him, with his piano on the majestic stage, he delighted us all with his huge talent.

And what can I possibly say about the Colón?

I adore theaters, their halls, their red velvets and dorés, that mystery that surrounds them... I always feel the presence of a ghost moving around, just as in the Opera. And tonight I was not deceived. The Colón still remains as splendid as ever...

A special note for the Tandem PARIS-BUENOS AIRES, which is to bring us many more amazing performances and exhibitions.

Bertrand Chamayou

Back in Paris...

Et voilá, as the French say... I'm back in the cold Paris. I left behind the 32°C of Buenos Aires and was received by -3°C and grey skies. But this doesn't bother me at all, I love changes, even if they are a little abrupt as this one!

Women in the streets still wear their Winter uniforms: mini skirts or shorts, dark leggins, Uggs, feather jackets or doudounne, hat and gloves. Everything rigorously black. However, the French seem to feel rather happy. Winter is about to finish... a month and a half to go and soon Spring will be at the door. Parc Monceau, just in front of my house, already shows some trees with flowers.

On February 11th Winter holidays will begin and the most important ski resorts, such as St. Moritz, Gstaad or Courcevel, already have no vacancies.

There's no reason though to leave town, for there's plenty of interesting things to do here too. In few days, at the Musée du Luxembourg, will open the exhibit "Cranach et son temps," very awaited and extremely interesting. At the Centre Georges Pompidou is "De Stijl et Mondrian," which I've not yet visited and will be open till March 21st. Also in theaters there's plays worth seeing, such as "Une Journée Ordinaire," a modern comedy by Eric Assous, written specially for Alain Delon and where he'll be sharing stage for the first time with his daughter Anouchka Delon. They've already worked together on TV, but never in theatre. And although everyone thought it would be the typical play specially written to attract Delon's fans and show him in a familiar situation, it seems it's actually quite good and both do a great job.

As for the movies, I went to see Darren Aronofsky's "Black Swan," with Natalie Portman. I liked it very, very much. The story is strong and distressing, the cast amazing and Natalie Portman deserves the Academy Award! But in fact the entire ensemble works perfectly: Vincent Cassel, Winona Ryder (in a small but decisive role), Mila Kunis (I didn't know her, but she's an actress with a great future). I strongly recommend it to you!

And now I'll get my coat and will go out to the big city... There's always so much to discover...

"Lake Swan," at the Opera Bastille...

As every second Sunday in December, today we had the matinée "Rêve d'Enfants," organized by AROP (Association pour le Rayonement de l'Opera) so that more than a thousand kids can enjoy a performance of the Ballet of l'Opera de Paris. This year, fortunately, the ballet chosen was Tchaikovsky's "Swan Lake," my all-time favorite.

With the brilliant choreography of Rudolf Nureyev, created in 1964 and specially updated in 1984 for the Opera de Paris, it was a unique show: a marvelous luxury for the eyes, a display of pastel costumes and unreal light when all thirty swans appear on stage with their tutus, white as snow and purity... And the music! And the excellence of the dancers of l'Opera de Paris, who achieve such standards after hours and hours of repetitions and practice. Of course, there are no tickets from now on till February 2011.

I enjoyed it a lot and, as usual, when death captures the Princess-swan, leaving the Prince by himself, I choked with emotion...

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...

Le Moulin Blue

Yesterday I went to the new theatre Le Moulin Blue (El Molino Azul), on Rodríguez Peña and Corrientes, to see the Music Hall "Sugargirls".
The show's a creation on the talented choreographer Juan Emilio Guidobono, who was also in charge of the direction.
I must confess I liked it! Great dancers and singers and stunning costumes. Pure energy and talent on stage.
Go see it. I absolutelly recommend it.

What I wore?
A black sequined Prada dress with peep-toes shoes by Louboutin and a Judith Leiber miniaudière.