Hello, lovelies! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travel, where I journey through time, spreading the joy of pink tutus and documenting the glorious history of ballet! This month, I’ve been whisked away to the vibrant Parisian streets of 1816, where I stumbled upon a remarkable event – the grand première of "La Vestale", a beautiful new opera-ballet! And guess what, darling? This is just the beginning of a truly wonderful tale!
Now, let’s take a stroll back in time…
The Horse and the Tutu: I arrived in Paris on the back of my beautiful Meg – that's Magic Meg to you! She’s a magnificent shire with golden hooves and a shimmering mane and tail that glistens like pink champagne. We left Derbyshire, England on the morning of the 3rd of March, 1816, the chill of winter clinging to the air. However, the anticipation of reaching Paris and witnessing “La Vestale” kept me warm. The air vibrated with a different kind of energy here in the heart of France! It felt alive, like a thousand fluttering tutus! I can practically hear the music in the air… Oh! And Meg? She adores the Parisian charm!
The World Stage: The première of “La Vestale”, which is, of course, an Italian opera with ballet in between the arias, had quite a grand spectacle surrounding it! Composed by Gasparo Spontini, the opera tells the story of a beautiful Vestal Virgin torn between duty and love. As for the ballet, it featured choreography by Jean-Pierre Aumer and the dancing of a young talent called Marie Taglioni. Can you believe? She was just eighteen, and she made the role of the Vestal utterly captivating. Such grace and expression – a true ballet enchantress! The audience loved it – cheers filled the theatre! I had to pinch myself to make sure it wasn’t all a dream.
A Fashionable Affair: And speaking of enchanting… Parisian fashion during the era was as intricate as a swirling pirouette. I felt like I had stepped out of a picture book! The ladies, adorned with delicate bonnets and elegant gowns, looked stunning – especially my gorgeous pink tulle dress and, naturally, the iconic pink tutu! It wasn’t just a fashion statement for me – it felt like my very own ballet uniform! Every flutter and twirl added an extra flourish to the day. Meg, by the way, looked dashing in her lilac and white carriage-horse harness – perfectly matched to my outfit! We drew attention wherever we went – it’s hard to miss a vibrant pink tutu in a sea of bonnets and bustles!
The Charm of the Parisian Stage: My time travel diary filled up quickly that evening, brimming with colourful stories. From the lively café au lait at a charming street corner to the delicious chocolate mousse served at the opera house (don’t you just love French cuisine?) every detail was pure magic. We saw people on the street wearing elaborate costumes for a festival, the children playing in the parks with a boundless joy – and even the old men gathered for lively card games at cafes. Paris in 1816 truly captured my imagination!
My Rucksack Tales: My leather rucksack, you see, holds more than just my travelling essentials – it's filled with relics of the past! A snippet of fabric from a costume from that ballet, a theatre programme from “La Vestale” - I'll tuck them safely inside my collection and write down every detail of this magnificent adventure. There's so much to share - even the scent of the old books in the little bookshop that Meg and I discovered later that day. You can imagine it – a beautiful scent of aged paper and wood, like a magic portal in time!
A Reminder for My Pink Tutu Sisters: As you step onto a stage, remember that each performance is a unique journey. Let the power of your pink tutu take you to worlds untold – from historical Paris to future-space and back!
Adieu, Darling Readers: As I close this chapter of Pink Tutu Time Travel, remember this – every day is a new ballet. It’s about the elegance, the joy, and the beauty that each one of us has within us!
Until next month, keep your tutus twirling!
Love, Emma
