A ballet evening in three parts.

Jiří Kylián, Bella Figura. Lovely baroque music, but I never quite managed to connect to the dance. The movements were too intellectual, too artificial. I couldn’t relate. It was as if each movement was a signifier of something important but unknown, but they made no sense without knowing the significance of each one.

Mats Ek, överbord (woman with water). Seen it before, and it was as striking and compelling as last time. A woman and a table and a glass of water, and it is as if she is meeting both of them for the first time.

There was also a man, but he felt almost like an afterthought. He flitted through, dressed in a black suit, poured water for the woman, but didn’t feel like a part of anything. I see from the photos that he was there last time as well – I had completely forgotten him and even thought he was a new addition in today’s version of this piece.

Forsythe, In the middle, somewhat elevated. About ten dancers in green and black. Their movements and poses are classically strict and very athletic. Groups emerge, cohere and dissolve, merge and move apart. Mesmerizing and utterly compelling.

All photos (c) Kungliga Operan/Carl Thorborg.