Hello darlings! Emma here, your pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, back with another delightful slice of ballet history for you!
This month, we're whisking ourselves back to September the 9th, 1803 - a most exciting day for ballet! It was, after all, the very day the brilliant Charles Didelot made his debut at the newly-opened Théâtre de la Gaîté in Paris! You know me, I love a grand opening, and there was no opening grander than this. Can you imagine the excitement?! The theatre was built specifically for the Italian Opera, and the grand ballet was the cherry on top of a truly opulent occasion. I, naturally, couldn't miss this fabulous event!
With a quick whisper to Magic Meg, my trusty pink-sparkling Shire horse, we were off! Now, I'm not sure what sort of time travel you might imagine, darling, but it's not always about whizzing around in a sparkly carriage. More often than not, it involves galloping across the Derbyshire countryside, the wind in my hair, before popping through a little bit of time-spacey magic and finding myself somewhere entirely different. And what a delightful spot Paris turned out to be!
I arrived, quite naturally, wearing my very best pink tutu - how could I possibly wear anything else? A bit of shimmer is always a good idea, don't you think? Magic Meg and I then strutted right up to the grand Théâtre de la Gaîté looking every inch the Parisian fashion plate, our outfits a splash of vibrant pink in a sea of 19th-century elegance.
You see, it wasn't just the ballet that captivated me on that glorious day. It was the entire experience! The very air seemed charged with the electricity of this opening night. The bustle of people dressed in their finest finery, the scent of perfume and powder mingling with the anticipation of the night, the glorious architecture - every aspect was pure joy!
Inside, the theatre itself was breathtaking. Imagine, darling, plush red velvet seats, intricately painted ceilings, the gleam of crystal chandeliers... a setting worthy of the most magnificent ballet performance! But here's the thing - that night, the star wasn't just the stage. The entire experience was the performance itself.
Didelot's ballet was called "The Feast of Bacchus," and my, oh my, it was truly a feast! We all know Didelot was a master of theatrical ballet, pushing the boundaries of technique and artistry, and this performance proved it. Imagine the grand leaps, the captivating mime, the exquisite choreography... it was a celebration of the human form at its most beautiful, dynamic, and powerful. I nearly burst out of my pink tutu with sheer joy!
Oh, the costume design! It was nothing short of divine. Every dancer looked positively radiant in elaborate silk gowns, flowing fabrics, and glittering embellishments. I must have added those sketches to my ballet-inspired leather rucksack twenty times over! There were whispers of innovative new moves too, showcasing Didelot's daring innovation, which certainly had the audience on the edge of their plush seats.
Of course, after the performance, it was simply essential for me to visit one of Paris's elegant boudoirs for a little shopping! The beautiful, elegant dresses and bonnets simply called to me.
And then, it was back to Derbyshire and Magic Meg. I have to say, travelling through time takes its toll. After all, I'm not a teenager anymore, darling.
However, nothing beats a delightful hot bath with lavender bubbles and the comfort of my comfy pink slippers when you're a tired ballerina who has just travelled through time. But all that time travelling does fuel my ballet blog! I am just so very thankful for the privilege of sharing my experiences with all of you, lovely readers. I really do want everyone to share in the joy of wearing a pink tutu.
That's all for this month, darlings, until next time.
Yours in Pink,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
