Hello my darlings, it's Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time travelling ballerina! I hope November is treating you all sweetly, my dears!
This month's blog post takes us back to a very special date, November 11th, 1786. You might be asking, what's so special about that date? Well, darlings, it's the date the exquisite Mozart presented his timeless masterpiece, "The Marriage of Figaro," at the Burgtheater in Vienna! Can you imagine the magic in the air that night? The opulence, the elegance, the music...pure bliss!
As soon as I knew this date was coming up on the ballet calendar, my heart leapt! I had to travel back in time to experience the grand premiĆØre, of course! It wasn't long before I had saddled my faithful companion, Magic Meg, my shimmering pink shire with her golden hooves and glorious mane, and we were whisking through the ages!
My lovely Magic Meg galloped us through the fields of Derbyshire, past the Peak District's breathtaking scenery. Before you know it, we were standing, not at the opera house, but outside Vienna's stunning Burgtheater. This incredible building, constructed in 1741, has a history almost as fascinating as the operas it houses. I mean, just imagine, being a ballerina performing in front of royalty in this beautiful venue!
Inside, everything was as one would expect a grand Viennese theatre to be ā lavish and opulent, gilded and gilded again, and packed to the brim with elegantly dressed men and women, each with their own sparkling jewels and fashionable wigs. As soon as we stepped into the atmosphere, I knew we were in for a treat.
To my delight, it was here that I discovered something rather remarkable. Even before ballet became its own established form, its beauty and artistry was finding its way onto the opera stage! Mozart's opera actually had a dance interlude which, from what I gathered from the attendees, featured two lovely danseurs - dancers! I couldnāt wait to see it myself.
The theatre's golden-robed and powder-wigged usher directed me to my plush red velvet seat and I prepared myself for a night of magnificent spectacle and stirring sound. Then, as if by magic, the curtains opened.
Mozart's āFigaroā - Oh my dears, it was so simply incredible. From the poignant melodies that swelled with such passionate emotion to the thrilling plot full of wit and humour, every single second was enchanting. And, as promised, there were some breathtaking dance sequences! I canāt describe how elegant and fluid the movement was. These performers understood their bodies so beautifully, making every step tell a story in its own right. Even as a seasoned ballerina myself, I was left speechless. It really felt like the early seeds of ballet being sown - what a beautiful discovery!
Even better, while in the Burgtheater, I managed to make some friends! There was this delightful woman, Maria - so talented, she was a performer! Although she was only nineteen at the time, she had a certain confidence, elegance, and charisma that had her already becoming a rising star on the stage. Of course, as soon as we started talking about all things dance, I invited her back to my time with me to experience the magic of modern ballet! Who knows, maybe she will even try on a pink tutu while she's there?
Oh, and my friends, don't forget that there's always something special waiting for you in the Ballet Time Travels rucksack. Today, we're getting a real look at some wonderful costumes from the period. Did you know the gowns worn in 1786 featured enormous puffs of silk and a huge quantity of satin and lace, with layers of frills, ribbons, and elaborate hair decorations? Imagine wearing that whilst trying to perform, my darlings! But, how romantic, and how beautiful, to see these performers expressing themselves in such elaborate costumes, making every step, every gesture so powerful, and full of emotion.
My darling readers, if you ever get the chance to see a performance of Mozartās āThe Marriage of Figaroā, make sure you book it right away. Itās a true classic and one of the best pieces of entertainment in the whole of theatrical history.
Until next month, may your pirouettes be precise and your arabesques breathtaking. Donāt forget to check out my website, www.pink-tutu.com, for more details on my ballet adventures and news on future travels.
Keep dancing,
Emma
P.S. Iāve added photos from my time travel to this monthās blog post - I do hope you enjoy them! Don't forget to like, comment, and share! I'll be back soon with a brand new post!
