Hello darling readers! It’s your favourite time-travelling ballerina Emma here, back with another scintillating journey through the world of dance! Buckle up your pink ballet shoes, grab a cuppa, and get ready for an exciting trip to… 1793!
As always, I’ve got my trusty companion by my side, Magic Meg, my magnificent pink sparkling Shire horse with her golden hooves and flowing white mane and tail. Meg is my best friend and the only one who knows my little secret - my ability to travel through time, fuelled by the magic of dance and a love for pink tutus.
Today’s adventure took me all the way back to August 8th, 1793. The air crackled with excitement - the French Revolution was in full swing, but amidst the turmoil, something amazing was happening: a ballet premiere!
I couldn't resist whipping on my newest, fluffiest pink tutu, complete with shimmering sequins and a charming pink satin ribbon, and I, with Meg trotting beside me, dashed into the opulent Palais Garnier. The grandeur of this historical opera house, all grand staircases and shimmering chandeliers, took my breath away. But it was the ballet that stole the show!
The piece was called "Le Retour de Psyché", a mythological story filled with beauty and grandeur, showcasing exquisite costuming and breathtaking choreography. As the graceful dancers, adorned in elegant gowns and feathered headdresses, twirled across the stage, I found myself captivated by the timeless beauty of classical ballet.
But my trip wasn’t just about soaking up the performance. I snuck into the costume department afterwards, my trusty leather rucksack slung over my shoulder, eager to snag a few fascinating souvenirs! Imagine my delight when I discovered a hand-stitched satin costume adorned with delicate lace and twinkling sequins - pure vintage ballet elegance!
I also stumbled upon a curious little book about ballet history. Its faded pages told tales of the legendary Italian dancer Carlo Blasis, considered a ballet guru of the 18th century. He advocated for a structured, formal approach to ballet, emphasising discipline and technique - not a bad thing to keep in mind for aspiring young ballerinas like myself, even though his methods sound a bit, shall we say, "strict"!
I must say, the world of ballet during this period was a far cry from today’s scene, with a focus on dramatic ballets inspired by mythology and classic literature. I missed the playful, contemporary dance moves that are my favourite nowadays!
Of course, a visit to Paris isn’t complete without a bit of shopping, so after a lovely stroll through the charming boulevards (a lot of cobblestones and horses in this era, thankfully Magic Meg had a spare pair of ballet flats with her just in case), I visited a millinery shop and came across a breathtaking, ostrich-feather adorned headdress. Perfect for adding a dash of vintage Parisian chic to my future tutu collection!
My trip to 1793 was a treasure trove of beautiful, historical dance treasures. Even though they did not have pink tutus (although they would look so fab with some lace, wouldn’t they!), there was a distinct elegance and drama to ballet then that we can still learn from today.
This visit to 1793 left me with a renewed sense of wonder and appreciation for the fascinating evolution of ballet.
Oh, and by the way, my latest collection of pink tutus, designed around the vintage-inspired French look of 1793, is already selling out on www.pink-tutu.com. Be quick or be sad, darlings!
Remember to come back next month for more thrilling adventures in ballet history and keep an eye out for my upcoming performance next weekend!
And please, tell me all about your own favourite historical ballet moments! Did you see something beautiful on your last trip to the ballet? Do share in the comments below!
Till next time, stay sparkly, Emma xx
PS: For those wondering, you can keep up with all my time-travel shenanigans on www.pink-tutu.com! And remember, every purchase helps fund my next thrilling adventure!
