Hello darling dancers! Emma here, back with another fabulous time travel adventure for www.pink-tutu.com. This month, weāre twirling back to 8th August, 1818, a time of burgeoning romanticism, waltzing melodies and...drumroll...the unveiling of a revolutionary new ballet!
Fancy a peek into this delightful dance era? Grab your favourite pink tutu (Iām sporting my hand-beaded number today) and climb aboard Magic Meg ā sheās neighing excitedly at the thought of another exciting adventure.
Our destination is Vienna, the heart of the waltzing world! Austria has always been a hotspot for elegant dances and elaborate costumes. The ballet scene is booming, and the theatres are abuzz with whispers of a new work from a maestro of dance - Carl Maria von Weber, a composer whose name would become synonymous with the most fantastical ballets of the time.
But darling, letās go back a little and get the full picture before I fill you in on the exciting new creation! This year saw the opening of Vienna's magnificent Burgtheater (castle theatre), with its opulent grand ballroom where waltz steps swirled amidst the most exquisite chandeliers. Imagine the sparkle and shimmer of that first waltz in such a breathtaking venue - I'd be whirling around till dawn!
However, as a passionate ballet enthusiast, my attention is drawn to the stage itself, to the "Theatre am KƤrntnertor". It was in this building that ballet legend, Marie Taglioni - the iconic ballerina who revolutionised the art form with her light, ethereal style - was captivating audiences with her stunning performance in āLa Sylphideā. Now, my darlings, this is what we call ballet history in the making!
Just imagineā¦ Marie in a flowing, wispy, gauzy tutu, so light and delicate, she seems to float rather than dance. Such grace! It must have been mesmerising! Can you imagine, the entire theatre hushed, the light catching the silk of her dressā¦ the romanticism of the ballet's storylineā¦ She was a real ballerina star!
Speaking of captivating dance scenes, did you knowā¦ a mere 14 years before our date in 1818, Marieās father, Filippo Taglioni, became the first choreographer to fully integrate ballet with the orchestra's score! This breakthrough really cemented balletās position as an art form in its own right!
Back in Derbyshire, I can't wait to delve into my collection of historical records - I'm sure thereās a newspaper clipping, or maybe a faded program, mentioning Weber's revolutionary creation: "Die drei WĆ¼nsche" (The Three Wishes)!
This romantic, fairytale ballet is based on a charming story about the magic and fulfillment of wishes - perfectly aligned with the fantastical spirit of 1818.
It's hard to resist a good wish or two, wouldnāt you agree? Can you guess which magical item I packed in my pink leather rucksack to bring back from Vienna? I'll reveal it all next month, along with more exciting news about ballet trends from the romantic era.
But darling, until then, keep on twirling in your pink tutus! Remember, the magic of ballet knows no boundaries, and even in 1818, there was always something extraordinary to dance for!
Sending you lots of pink, twirling kisses from Emma! Don't forget to subscribe to my blog, www.pink-tutu.com for all the latest dance happenings and time-travel updates. Stay fabulous!
