Post 1817 – www.pink-tutu.com
Hello darlings! It’s Emma here, back from another fabulous time-travelling adventure, and this month we’re waltzing our way to the glorious city of Vienna in 1812! Vienna, oh Vienna, land of waltz kings, chocolate cakes, and oh so many glorious tutu possibilities!
This month I felt particularly drawn to the year 1812. You see, my dear readers, I’m rather fascinated by the history of ballet. Imagine a time when tutus were still fairly new, and ballerinas were just starting to really showcase their athletic grace and incredible flexibility. It was a time of burgeoning creativity and I just had to find out what the world of ballet was up to!
And so, I hopped on my trusty pink steed, Magic Meg, a magnificent Shire with a glistening golden mane and hooves (she even has a touch of pink shimmer around her tail, it’s utterly magical!)
“To Vienna, Meg,” I shouted, tightening my own pink tutu straps (my trusty “I’m-Going-to-Time-Travel” tutu, a vibrant shocking pink of course) and settling my leather rucksack firmly on my back (a rucksack specially designed to carry ballet treasures and history, my darlings, no ordinary rucksack for a time-travelling ballerina!)
Landing with a gentle prance in the heart of Vienna, the scent of freshly baked pastries and the sound of lively street music filled my senses. This was the time of Emperor Franz II, and you wouldn’t believe how opulent everything felt! The architecture was grand and sweeping, and the fashions – oh, the fashions! I couldn’t resist picking up a gorgeous, blush pink silk fan adorned with feathers at the first market I encountered. Perfect for my vintage collection and oh-so-in keeping with Vienna’s exquisite atmosphere.
Now, let's talk about what was going on in the world of ballet in 1812, shall we? It was a year for dazzling performances! Imagine the sheer magic of seeing the famous ballet dancer, Marie Taglioni, grace the stage at the Viennese opera house in a delicate white tutu, her every step and gesture radiating pure artistry.
I’ve been immersing myself in the ballet archives of the time. Apparently, Taglioni was one of the leading ballerinas of the romantic period, known for her ethereal style and light as a feather jumps. Imagine those exquisite, high leaps – pure, beautiful, and just a hint of daring! It was at the Viennese opera house where Taglioni and other dancers helped make the Viennese ballet a world-class experience, the envy of all the grand opera houses of Europe.
You can bet I’ve spent several evenings soaking up the atmosphere at the opera house, I’m sure I wasn’t the only one utterly mesmerised by the graceful leaps and the exquisite beauty of the ballerinas and their tulle skirts, shimmering in the candlelight! Of course, it was during a performance that I finally came face to face with the legendary ballerina Marie Taglioni! I mean, can you imagine?!
I confess I got a bit starstruck, but she was incredibly kind, her voice light as a whisper, almost as ethereal as her performances. We spent the entire evening discussing her favourite steps, her feelings about the evolving ballet style, and we even discussed her opinion on the perfect shade of pink for a ballerina! (Sadly, we’re keeping that conversation under wraps for now… but it definitely had to do with soft shades, delicate silks, and plenty of rose petals). And as I always do when meeting extraordinary women in the ballet world, I sought her out for some insider advice about the time.
“In the Vienna of 1812, darlings,” she said with a twinkle in her eye, “it is a matter of fashion. Elegance is everything, both on and off the stage. We wear elaborate costumes with cascading flounces and frills. The perfect dress has flowing layers and is a dream to swirl upon.” And she is so right.
Even off-stage, ballerinas embraced the grace of fashion! This year was particularly big for velvet gowns with sparkling embellishments, the perfect outfit for dancing the waltz and socialising after a grand ballet performance, wouldn't you agree?
While you might think all this focus on fashion sounds a little frivolous, think of it this way. Back then, the elegant attire allowed the ballerinas to become not just dancers but storytellers on stage, weaving tales of romance and emotion. The more ornate the costumes, the greater the feeling of the “romantic” movement that blossomed around ballet in that time! And isn’t it truly amazing how fashions influence our emotions, giving us the chance to tap into a mood or feeling just by putting on the right piece of clothing?
Taglioni and I also talked about the influence of this waltz-loving era on the world of ballet. Back then, Viennese waltzes became incredibly fashionable throughout Europe, especially as dance partners twirled gracefully, sometimes in public balls – and what was the perfect dance for a ballerina? You guessed it, a waltz.
That is why this time travel trip has inspired me to do something completely out of the ordinary! You know how I’ve been yearning for a ballet performance with a touch of the romantic period in my repertoire? Well, next month, we are putting together a special performance in my hometown, Derbyshire. Imagine the beauty of the music, the romance, and of course, all the sparkling gowns and, yes, the most gorgeous pink tulle imaginable! I can already picture it: swirling fabrics, twinkling lights, and that touch of Viennese flair, all set to the tune of an elegant waltz!
Now, darlings, tell me about your favorite ballet performances! Have you ever waltzed under the shimmering chandeliers of an opera house? Do you enjoy vintage ballet? Do tell!
As always, don't forget to check back in next month for another whirlwind adventure through time and a new tale to tell! And in the meantime, keep spreading the love of ballet and maybe, just maybe, think about donning your very own pink tutu! Because, darling, there’s nothing like the magical feeling of twirling in a tutu!
Love,
Emma
