Hello, darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back again from another fabulous jaunt through history! This month, we're swirling back to the 6th of June, 1816 – a date bursting with intrigue and the intoxicating aroma of grand theatre!
It's a crisp June morning and the air is positively fizzing with the excitement of a brand new ballet season! I've arrived in Vienna, Austria, nestled between the breathtaking architecture and cobblestone streets, all set for a ballet spectacle that's just about to ignite. It's a glorious time for dance and everyone's dressed in their finest - I do adore those long, elegant gowns and the beautifully patterned coats. Even my Magic Meg, my majestic pink sparkling shire horse, is looking dazzling with a fresh pink ribbon around her mane!
Magic Meg’s golden hooves carry us to the elegant Burgtheater, and oh, my, darlings, the splendour of it all! The very walls whisper stories of famous ballerinas and captivating performances. Just as I arrive, there's a bustle of excitement at the entrance, everyone eager to witness the masterpiece I've come to see – the premiere of “The Flower and the Butterfly: A Dance Symphony in Two Acts”! This exquisite piece was choreographed by none other than the legendary Jean-Pierre Aumer, who had left the Paris Opéra just a year before to create dance magic here in Vienna. Aumer, oh darling, was the epitome of creative brilliance – he's been compared to Shakespeare, his influence upon ballet, simply phenomenal!
Now, imagine a stage where beautiful costumes flutter, and dancers pirouette with grace and agility, transforming themselves into exquisite flowers and ethereal butterflies. It was an absolute whirlwind of artistry and beauty. I couldn't help but scribble down some observations in my trusty leather rucksack - you simply had to see the enchanting, almost weightless jumps, those effortless fouettes, and those delicate extensions, all so enchanting!
What makes this premiere even more magical is that it showcases a true innovator in the ballet world – Marie Taglioni. She dances the role of the butterfly and she is utterly captivating! Not only is her technical prowess awe-inspiring, but she embodies the very essence of ethereal grace. Just like a true dancing butterfly, she dances with such light steps and fluttery movement, a joy to witness.
Even after the curtain fell, I was filled with a vibrant energy, still caught in the intricate movements and breathtaking emotion of "The Flower and the Butterfly". A little birdie told me, there was a whisper that Ms. Taglioni would one day be dubbed as "La Sylphide" in a new ballet – that must be spectacular! My fingers are positively tingling with excitement!
To think, darling, all of this is taking place while a new, enchanting ballet company, "Les Théâtres Impériaux de Russie", is being established just a hop skip and a jump away, in St. Petersburg, Russia. Oh my, what a dance-filled year 1816 is! I simply can't resist the thought of a quick ballet journey across the globe to witness what this new company is all about! Who knows, perhaps a pink tutu could inspire them too!
That’s all for this month’s escapade, my lovelies! But before I leave you, I can’t help but ponder about the remarkable women I've encountered during my travels - those who brought joy to audiences and pushed the boundaries of ballet. I long to encourage all of you, even you my darling readers, to express yourself freely and discover your own joy in the captivating world of dance! I'll be sharing more of my adventures on our blog - www.pink-tutu.com. Until then, happy dancing!
Yours, always in pink,
Emma
