Hello my darling dancers! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, and welcome to my monthly ballet journey through time! Today, I'm whisking you all back to December 12th, 1813, a truly exciting date in the ballet world, wouldn't you say?
Let's pack up the rucksack with my trusty feather boa, my pinkest pink lipstick and a shimmering fan, and hop on Magic Meg, my majestic pink Shire horse with a mane of spun-gold and hooves like sparkling diamonds. She’s the only one who can carry us through the time-warp, and her pink coat perfectly matches my tutu – how elegant!
My aim, as always, is to immerse us all in the glorious history of ballet, but with a touch of my own flair, of course! And this trip to 1813 is absolutely brimming with opportunities for some delightful "ballet-spotting". Let me share all the incredible happenings of this era.
Dancing our way to the past
First things first, a wee bit of a history lesson, my lovelies. We’re entering the era of romantic ballet, a time of graceful leaps, dramatic narratives and emotions that made audiences gasp! Ballet was evolving rapidly, away from its aristocratic beginnings to reach new heights of beauty and expression. Just imagine all the swirling skirts, delicate arm gestures and breathtaking jumps… My heart is fluttering already!
Ballet Fashion: Oh My!
Of course, no time travel adventure is complete without a touch of glamour, and oh my dear dancers, 1813 was a triumph for ballet fashion! Ladies, the tutus were long and flowing, adorned with the finest fabrics like silk and lace, and oh those shoes! The ballet slipper design was starting to change, with silk ribbons adorning the toe to create a more elegant look. The delicate pink ribbons matched my tutu perfectly, you wouldn't believe the number of envious glances I received. We're talking delicate pointe shoes with tiny ribbons and silk slippers… utterly charming! The stage was just begging to be filled with vibrant colours and twirling silhouettes. I could almost hear the delicate swish of a hundred tulle skirts as dancers flew across the stage, each one more graceful than the next.
Where's the magic, you ask?
This year, I was so excited to learn that in Vienna, Franz Liszt (yes, that famous pianist!), had written a piece specifically for a ballet performance – what a wonderful marriage of artistry! Can you imagine the passion in those notes accompanying the grace of the ballet dancers? Imagine the stories of love, loss and joy unfolding on the stage with every single sound. Now that's romantic ballet!
Dancing Around the World!
This trip, my dancers, was like being a butterfly flitting through a ballet garden, with wonderful performances all across Europe. We started off in Vienna, as you know, with the vibrant atmosphere of ballet making every street feel like a stage! There, at the Hofburg Theatre, dancers like Marie Taglioni and Carlotta Grisi, both stars in their own right, took to the stage to delight the court and beyond. Can you imagine being one of the lucky ones to witness their exquisite talents? They truly moved the hearts of those lucky audiences!
Then, we whisked across Europe to Russia, where a whirlwind of ballet performances was captivating all! The famous * Bolshoi Theatre* in Moscow and the Imperial Theatre in Saint Petersburg, were absolutely bursting with talented dancers and a flourishing ballet culture. It was here where we caught glimpses of dancers Natalia Zherebtsova and Augusta Grilli, and believe me, their artistry left us breathless! I can still see those soaring leaps and the elegance of their movements. It truly is no wonder ballet captivated Russia at the time, and we got a front row seat to it all.
More than a Performance
You know, my dears, more than just the performances themselves, we get to see the whole fabric of life surrounding it! The workshops, the dress rehearsals, the whispers backstage! I was so happy to meet the designers and seamstresses, working with such intricate detail on the dazzling costumes that made each dancer shine on the stage. I picked up a gorgeous, embroidered ballet shoe for my collection – so wonderfully vintage! I couldn't resist adding a silk flower and a feather for my collection back at my home in Derbyshire. The way those delicate fabrics, soft silks, laces and satins felt against my skin... Ah, pure magic!
My Ballet Diaries:
Now, for the best part of every trip – the rucksack that holds treasures from each time period. Just look at this wonderful pink satin bow from the backstage of one of Marie Taglioni's performances in Vienna, and a handwritten programme for a Russian ballet with delicate gold ink detailing. I even picked up an antique dancing doll, her painted smile almost mirroring the excitement of the era. There’s a charm, isn't there?
More to Discover:
I simply cannot contain all the excitement from this era! From Vestris leading the way with his unique leaps, to the rise of Auguste Vestris and the elegant *Pierre Gardel... This trip was filled with so many remarkable dancers, and this world of vibrant culture.
So, my lovelies, until our next time-travel adventure together, don't forget to always carry the love of dance within you, and wear your pink tutus with pride! I leave you with this, as we fly off on the pink clouds of Magic Meg: "Ballet is a language of the heart that knows no boundaries". Happy dancing, dear dancers, and remember, www.pink-tutu.com is your destination for all things fabulous!
Until next month, Love, Emma xo
Remember, you can find all my posts and my love of everything pink on www.pink-tutu.com - a website that will be filled with inspiring ballet stories and journeys, because who doesn't love a good pink tutu adventure?
