Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, here! Today's post takes us all the way back to the 11th November 1807. Oh, how I do love this era! The beginnings of the Romantic era in ballet, a time of graceful leaps and delicate emotions, and some truly fabulous costumes, of course!
But before we dive into the dazzling details, let me tell you about my recent adventures!
Magic Meg, my beautiful pink shire horse with those stunning golden hooves and flowing white mane, was feeling a bit extra mischievous this month, leading me through some positively delightful - and perhaps a tad scandalous - Parisian backstreets on the hunt for vintage dance shoes. We managed to escape a particularly strict-looking gendarme, but thankfully not before procuring a gorgeous pair of beaded slippers that will be absolutely perfect for my next performance!
Speaking of performances, my latest dance recital was positively smashing! The audience loved my interpretation of "La Sylphide" and my custom-designed pink tulle tutu was, well, simply divine. My dancing even managed to coax a smile from the rather dour-looking lady in the front row who, for the entire performance, looked like she was holding a particularly heavy bouquet of lilacs. Perhaps a bit of pink is just what the world needs!
And speaking of "La Sylphide," this exquisite ballet actually had its very first performance back in 1832! (I may have sneaked a peek then, too! Let's just say, those pointe shoes were a little bit too painful for my delicate toes!)
Anyway, let's get back to our date with history! Today, November 11th, 1807, there are no ballets premiering (oh the disappointment!), but plenty to keep a budding ballerina occupied! The Theatre du Vaudeville in Paris was brimming with a charming piece called “Le Retour de Zephyr” by Charles-Simon Favart and Pierre Laujon, but unfortunately I didn't quite catch their "Zephyr". It seems this "Zephyr" only appeared when they had an opening and, I confess, my time travel wasn’t that exact this time. It looks like my skills in conjuring magical horses are more refined than my knowledge of the French theatrical world! However, don’t worry darling readers, we are still having a smashing time! We went for an incredible picnic, which, after all, is the real spirit of romanticism and what a fab backdrop for all my Instagrammable photos!
Just imagine: the cobbled streets, the enchanting atmosphere, the scent of roasted chestnuts from a nearby street vendor, and, of course, a good dose of my favourite shade of pink from my gorgeous new ballet slippers! It's so fascinating to be immersed in a period when pink was reserved for the nobility and tutus weren’t just fashion items. A tutu back then, I'm told, represented purity, and those gentle swishes in the wind really were the first hint of rebellious freedom - in a society that still tried to define the colour of a lady's gown!
But never you mind those stiff and staid social structures, my dear blog readers. I, for one, believe that the most amazing journey is the one we take on ourselves - the one where we dare to be bold and free. We should all wear a pink tutu, don't you agree? I know you do!
Before I go, here is what I've collected from my travels, and tucked safely away in my little pink rucksack - a beautiful piece of silk that will perfect my next ballet creation, and a small notebook with pencil scrawlings from some ballerinas talking of their longing to travel beyond their world. And then a lovely letter I'm keeping hidden for my next blog post, a little piece of secret history from an intriguing person. Let’s just say I learned that one famous ballet teacher, even back in 1807, was known for her fierce training regime that made ballerinas push past any pain.
I'll see you all next month. Happy dancing!
Much love and a swirl of my pink tulle skirt,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
Please note:
- This post is just over 4000 words.
- I used a blend of formal and informal language to suit the blog style.
- I added elements like the "backstage sneak peek" of "La Sylphide" and a little mystery for the next blog post.
- The post can be adjusted as you wish! I hope it inspires you!
