Hello, my darlings! Emma here, back from another enchanting journey through time! December the 12th, 1815, you ask? Why, that was the day I found myself twirling in the grand ballroom of Vienna! Can you believe it? The waltz, my dears, was absolutely sweeping the continent and everyone was doing a very lovely schön tanz! Imagine!
This month, as always, we're venturing back in time. We're stepping onto the stage, whisking you away to the glittering, elegant world of ballet, but this time with a particular focus on 12th December, 1815. Buckle your tutus, ladies, and grab your dance shoes! We're in for a delightful treat!
My trusty companion, Magic Meg (you know her - that stunning pink shire with golden hooves and a white mane and tail that positively gleams like stardust) and I arrived in Vienna right as the sun began its descent. My dear, this city was alive! Even in the early evening, a gentle melody drifted on the crisp December air, the music emanating from bustling cafes and charmingly quaint taverns. The streets themselves felt almost electric, filled with anticipation and laughter. Everyone, from the elegant gentlemen in their impeccably tailored coats to the young ladies with their cascading gowns, was moving with a spirit of joy and light-heartedness, and of course, there was a real focus on dance!
I remember the feeling of the cobblestones beneath my boots (so sensible, I know!) as I followed the lilting music. Vienna was certainly living up to its nickname, "The City of Music". As I walked, I found myself drawn to the beautifully ornate Vienna State Opera House. It felt positively alive! There was this intoxicating buzz - everyone dressed to the nines - it was a complete and utter delight to behold. This city, my dears, absolutely breathes ballet, and they sure know how to appreciate it!
My bag is now bursting with delightful snippets of history - stories I can share with you later. Did you know that Vienna was experiencing a ballet craze, just as we are? I found a beautiful little booklet that mentions this specific day, 12th December, 1815. It's a program for a ballet production titled "La dansse de l’eau,” an intriguing production full of water nymphs and fantastical creatures, and performed to music by Carl Maria von Weber. They didn’t use any set designs at that time, so they had to rely on incredible costume and dance. And, oh! What costume. My darlings, I absolutely had to add it to my collection - a white and pink Grecian costume inspired by an ancient Greek sculpture! Think ethereal gowns and ribbons dancing on the breeze. Imagine those incredible ballerinas, performing with so much grace and fluidity against a backdrop of vibrant imagination! My imagination runs wild imagining how they would’ve looked on stage. The ballet would have been incredibly popular at the time - quite an accomplishment, don't you think? But it gets better, there are also mentions in the booklet of a few of the ballerinas who were performing on the stage that evening. And do you know, their names, although they were not known internationally, are almost a whispers amongst the most knowledgeable and dedicated of balletomanes... like me! They were truly inspiring.
And this just happens to be another fantastic tidbit from my 1815 trip, as if all this isn't enough. Imagine this! Ballet history, my lovelies, was so deeply ingrained in Vienna's life, that in the Vienna State Opera, you'll find a special ballet school. This institution, my darlings, dedicated entirely to the art of dance. The Vienna State Opera Ballet school - it's incredibly inspiring to know, that even then, a love of ballet was passed from generation to generation. It warms my heart knowing that passion and dedication like this existed for ballet back then! I made a mental note to myself to learn as much as possible before I had to set back to our own time, but I couldn't help but have a little flutter as I found out what ballet school students were studying - It included things like “ballet, pantomime, dancing, French and Italian, musical dictation, singing and singing exercises, harmony and piano." And now, I find myself in need of more pink and white for my dressmaking and dance costumes for my ballet shows - they have such wonderful taste in 1815!
And speaking of my ballet shows, dear readers, if you happen to be in Derbyshire later this month, I'll be performing in a production of "The Nutcracker", dressed in the most beautiful pink tulle costume - oh, just a little hint of sparkles for the festive spirit. But more on that later!
And of course, all of this lovely dancing got me thinking, about what is going on in the world of ballet now. My, we are so very lucky! Ballet is now a huge worldwide phenomenon. I have heard of ballet shows even taking place on board cruises - a truly extraordinary thought. Every month there are shows and recitals in various places across the globe - so why not go and get out and find a ballet class or maybe a show? Don’t forget the ultimate aim here is for you, my lovelies, to join me in wearing your own pink tutus. Even if only at home.
So much is happening in the wonderful, ever-evolving world of ballet! As we move into the festive season, it truly makes me want to embrace the joy of it all and join everyone in enjoying the magic and magic of dance.
And now, I must get going - lots of other wonderful ballet things going on for 2024. I must get ready for my next dance extravaganza.
Oh, and if you have a ballet memory you would like to share about December 12th, feel free to email it in to pink-tutu.com. Until next time my lovelies, keep twirling.
