Hello darlings, and welcome back to Pink Tutu, your one-stop shop for all things ballet! It's February, the air is crisp, and love is in the air – oh la la! It's time for a whirlwind adventure, a trip to Paris, and let's just say, it involves more than a dash of romantic flair!
This month, Magic Meg and I are venturing back to 2nd February 1806. Yes, my dear friends, we're taking a grand tour of Paris during the golden age of ballet. If you think I'm going to waltz straight into the Theatre de l’Opéra and catch a performance – you're absolutely right! I can practically smell the scent of orange blossom, see the sparkling chandeliers, and hear the whispered gossip amongst the ladies in their elaborate gowns.
But first, darling, the wardrobe. As you know, pink is the colour of my soul, and the ne plus ultra of chic, so I'm packing my most divine pink tutu, shimmering with hand-stitched sequins and delicate tulle. Oh, and don't forget my trusty leather rucksack! It's bursting with secrets, stories, and perhaps a couple of vintage ballet slippers – all found during our past journeys.
Now, about this trip, Paris in 1806 was a hub for the arts. Think romanticism in full swing – swirling costumes, grand gestures, and music that made you want to twirl and pirouette! The big names in ballet at the time were a trio of absolute stars.
The Queen Bee: Marie-Madeleine Guimard. A true grande dame of the ballet stage, Guimard had everything - a fierce talent, breathtaking technique, and a fierce spirit to boot.
The Daring Duke: Charles Didelot. Now, he was known for being daring! Imagine leaps and jumps so astounding that people thought he must be superhuman! The legend says Didelot even invented new dance steps for his daring leaps.
The Sweetest Swan: Pierre Gardel. Oh, my dears, his graceful elegance, and smooth, flowing style were what every young lady wanted in a partner. He is even rumoured to have created the first true ballet to ever use the famous swan theme.
I'm telling you, the theatre buzz was incredible! On this very day in 1806, at the Theatre de l'Opéra, audiences would have been transported by the spectacle of "La Vestale," a ballet by the talented Charles Didelot! With its story of a virtuous vestal virgin (that's a priestess, darlings!) torn between love and duty, it's guaranteed to have been a dramatic masterpiece!
I can practically feel the energy of the performance - the music swelling, the intricate movements of the dancers, the audience captivated by the spectacle! And, of course, there was the stunning costumes - think Greek-inspired draped gowns in luxurious fabrics like silk and satin. No doubt the stage would be alight with colours, shimmering golds, soft ivories, and – you guessed it – glorious pinks!
After the performance, it wouldn't be a trip to Paris without some indulgence! A stroll along the Champs-Élysées is a must. Can you picture me in my pink tutu, strolling by shops full of fabulous fabrics, shimmering beads, and feather boas? I can! Then, for dinner, a cozy café with a warm chocolate and flaky pastries, observing the charming Parisians as they go about their day! And oh, maybe a bit of fashion browsing at the Parisian salons - I just have a feeling that the French would love a bit of pink tutu inspiration, wouldn't they?
Of course, I'm always looking for stories, inspiration, and ballet relics to bring back with me. Today, I'll be keeping an eye out for anything with that elegant romanticism of the time, a few feathers perhaps for a future costume idea, and maybe, just maybe, a few sketches from an upcoming ballet – if I'm lucky!
So, until next time, darling, remember to always embrace the magic of ballet and dream big! Keep shining, and wear that pink tutu with pride!
Now, I'm off to saddle Magic Meg, a pink tutu can't travel itself!
*P.S. * Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com for more ballet adventures and news! I’ll post more about our Parisian escapade in a later blog, so keep checking back. xx
