Hello darlings! Emma here, back from another dazzling time travel escapade! This month, my pink tutu has taken me to a rather exciting moment in ballet history - September 9th, 1746! Did you know this was the very day that one of ballet's most iconic figures, the incomparable Marie Sallé, made her triumphal debut in London at Covent Garden? I just had to be there, didn't I?
Now, if you're a ballet aficionado like myself, you know that Marie Sallé wasn't just any ballerina; she was a true revolutionary! She challenged the rigid and extravagant styles of the French court ballet and paved the way for a more natural and expressive form of dance. Just the thought of being present for this historic performance sent shivers of excitement down my spine, all the way from my Derbyshire roots to the cobblestones of Covent Garden.
It was quite the scene! I arrived just before the performance began, nestled in the balcony with Magic Meg, my trusty steed. She's quite the star herself - all pink sparkles, golden hooves, and flowing white mane. She turns heads wherever we go, especially amongst the crowds at Covent Garden, and everyone was oohing and ahhing about her fabulous pink feather plumes. The air buzzed with anticipation! The whole theatre seemed aglow with an air of something new, something different - the promise of a fresh breeze blowing through the stuffy world of court ballet.
Before the performance began, I popped downstairs for a bit of pre-show browsing at the stalls. The bustling atmosphere, the enticing scents, and the beautiful fabrics just beckoned to my inner shopaholic. I found myself snagging some exquisite lace ribbons, some shimmering satin for my next tutu design (pink of course!), and a beautiful vintage ballet book about Marie Sallé herself - the perfect addition to my collection!
And then, the moment we were all waiting for... Marie SallĂ© stepped on stage! I gasped! I mean, itâs no wonder she was nicknamed 'The Comet'! Her grace, passion, and technical prowess just stopped the entire room in its tracks. The audience erupted into a roaring applause at the end of her solo performance. It was a magical experience! And the cherry on top was getting to peek behind the curtain afterwards and chat with a charming dancer.
He even shared a little secret: the story of how Marie SallĂ© had rebelled against the bulky, ornate costumes and heavy wigs worn by ballerinas at that time. Imagine, a ballerina forced to wear all those hoops and skirts and towering headdresses when sheâs meant to be moving and expressing herself! It made me so proud of Marie SallĂ© for defying those constraints and creating something new, something beautiful.
Speaking of beautiful things, have you seen the absolutely gorgeous costume Marie wore for this show? It's all about simple elegance and graceful lines. She basically revolutionized the look of ballet with that stunning gown. Not just any old gown, mind you. A flowing, whimsical gown! Talk about a game changer!
Itâs no wonder she was hailed as an innovator of whatâs known today as âThe Dance of Nature.â She was all about highlighting the beauty and natural movements of the human form! It just shows that it was those passionate innovators from the past who paved the way for the gorgeous performances we can enjoy today!
For my little pink rucksack collection, I acquired some very special souvenirs from my time travel. Imagine! An old, hand-written score sheet from the ballet, an inscription signed by Marie herself - "The power of dance is boundless"! Such a beautiful thought. It reminds me why we love to wear tutus! I will be making this little beauty my new inspiration as I dream up a fabulous new pink tutu design - my most ethereal yet!
If youâre ready to experience the wonders of dance yourself, check out this monthâs must-see performance at the Royal Opera House in London! The famed Russian Bolshoi Ballet company will be presenting "La BayadĂšre". It's a perfect way to indulge in all things dance, and maybe even get inspired to slip on a pink tutu and feel the power of dance coursing through you, like the beautiful, bold Marie SallĂ©.
Until next time darlings!
And never, ever, forget the power of a pink tutu to whisk you away on your own magical dance journey.
Keep swirling!
Emma xx
www.pink-tutu.com
