Blood on the Velvet Curtains

The grand ballroom scene of Act Three was a whirlwind of dazzling gold costumes, swirling red velvet capes, and thunderous Spanish and Neapolitan dances. The tension in the auditorium was building to a fever pitch. Every seasoned ballet lover knew that the Black Swan pas de deux was the ultimate test of an artist's technique, stamina, and dramatic power. When Vivienne strode onto the stage in her black raven-feather tutu…