Hello, darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels! It's your favourite Derbyshire ballerina blogger, Emma, back with another whirlwind journey through history! This month, we're twirling back to September 1818, and let me tell you, the world of ballet was abuzz with exciting happenings!
I've been quite busy preparing for this trip! My wardrobe has been brimming with pink perfection - delicate lace, swirling tulle, and a bevy of blush-coloured ribbons for my hair. Magic Meg, my beautiful pink shimmering Shire horse, with her golden hooves and flowing white mane and tail, has been polishing her hooves in anticipation, eager for our time-travelling adventure.
Don't you just love the way the moonlight sparkles off her coat? Oh, the excitement! It's just like a ballet scene unfolding before me, just waiting to be explored.
Where Are We Travelling?
My ballet rucksack is packed to the brim, ready to collect ballet treasures from this period! You'd be surprised how much history is contained in the stories of dancers, ballerinas, and their elegant costumes, especially back in this time!
For this journey, we're heading to London, a city teeming with culture and innovation. Imagine, darlings! The ballet world is buzzing with performances and debuts, a real kaleidoscope of dance talent just waiting to be discovered.
A Ballet Wonderland
1818 was a time of burgeoning artistic expression, and the ballet scene was positively flourishing. You can feel the anticipation! Ballet theatres were brimming with captivating stories, graceful leaps, and elegant costumes. Ballet was a social event, a night out for the aristocracy and theatre goers, all with the perfect blend of elegance, grandeur, and sheer brilliance that sets my heart aflutter.
Our First Stop: The Royal Opera House
Naturally, we have to make our first stop at The Royal Opera House, haven't we, darlings? It's like a grand palace of dance! Now, I've heard whispers of Charles Didelot, a visionary choreographer from France, who's set to transform ballet with his bold and revolutionary new ballets! Oh my, I can just imagine the excitement!
Imagine intricate steps and graceful choreography, showcasing athleticism and artistry – truly an awe-inspiring spectacle! I wouldn't miss a Didelot premiere for anything, especially as he is often celebrated for his romantic and emotive storytelling, bringing characters and narratives to life on the stage!
Now, I hear he’s often influenced by classic tales. Would he incorporate graceful nymphs, mischievous fairies, or even gallant heroes battling villains? Just picture the vibrant colours, the sweeping movement, the sheer artistry on the stage - it's a symphony of beauty, a true feast for the senses.
And the costumes, darling! I've been dreaming of delicate, flowing silks in every shade of pastel pink imaginable, adorned with sequins, jewels, and maybe even a touch of sparkling lace. What a treasure to discover in my ballet rucksack, a beautifully worn costume from a Didelot ballet! Imagine the story it could tell - perhaps a heartbroken ballerina or a whimsical fairy, their hopes and dreams echoing through its silk folds.
The King's Theatre, Covent Garden:
We simply must visit Covent Garden's King's Theatre, an emblem of English artistry and glamour! I'm envisioning rows of elegant ladies, perfectly coiffed hair, sparkling gowns, and glittering jewellery, enjoying the very best of English dance.
The King's Theatre was buzzing, darlings! This month alone, it has played host to an array of sensational performances, each with its own unique magic and brilliance. We've just caught the tail end of Giovanni Battista "Gianbattista" Viganò, a world-renowned ballet master from Italy! Can you imagine the stories in these movements, the passion!
He's famous for pushing the boundaries of ballet! You see, darlings, Viganò brought an unparalleled sense of theatricality, captivating storylines, and an unparalleled expression of human emotions!
But you see, what's really amazing is, back then, ballet wasn't just the dancers on the stage, darling. Ballet performances were often lavish affairs. The audience itself was a visual spectacle, decked out in shimmering gowns, elaborate hairdos, and dazzling jewellery! Such an elegant blend of dance and society.
Imagine, darlings, the shimmering dresses, the elegant hairstyles adorned with delicate pink roses, and a whirlwind of conversations before the curtain even rises - simply magnificent!
Beyond The Stage
Oh, darlings! It isn't just about watching, you see. This era, I think it truly understands that ballet is an art for everyone, for the ballerina and for those watching too! It's about immersing oneself in the grace and beauty of the dance, enjoying the artistry and stories that each performance tells.
A Waltz through History
While we're here in 1818, we have to do a little waltz! Back then, darlings, the waltz was considered daring, even scandalous in some circles. Imagine, graceful waltzing couples gliding across the ballroom floor, their movements flowing and harmonious! It's the perfect way to express elegance, romance, and pure delight!
I imagine myself whirling with the most charming gentleman in a glittering ballroom, his hand on my waist, my pink tutu swirling as I pirouette! Oh, I simply must try on a vintage waltz gown when we get back, imagine all the dreamy swirly ruffles and shimmering sequins. Oh, darling, don't you wish you were here?
The Rise of Fashionable Footwear
1818 is an absolute delight for footwear aficionados like me! This is the era of delicate silk slippers, intricately decorated with silk ribbons and exquisite beads. These delicate shoes were all about grace, elegance, and beauty. Oh, my little heart simply can't help but flutter! I've been dreaming about these shoes for months, you see! I'd love to slip on a pair and pirouette across the ballroom. Imagine, every step a whisper of silken luxury! A little piece of history to bring back with me!
* Ballet Style For Everyone*
Every ballerina, darling, knows the secret! It isn't just the performance that sets a ballerina apart. It's the style! In 1818, ballet fashion was becoming as fashionable as the costumes themselves! Ballet enthusiasts began dressing with that iconic ballerina style: delicate silks, beautiful lace, intricate ribbons, and enchanting colours, often with a sprinkle of whimsy and elegance!
My mission, you see, darlings? To spread this love for pink tutus far and wide, across every century and every time period. Just imagine it - a world brimming with pink tutus, a dazzling spectacle of femininity, and endless fun. What a perfect symphony of beauty!
Now, as I close for this month, darling, I encourage you to explore this era of dance, history, and fashion. Discover the fascinating stories, the incredible talent, and the unwavering passion of the ballet world from 1818. Remember to wear your pink tutus, dear readers!
Until next month! I can't wait for our next journey!
Remember, you can visit me on my website www.pink-tutu.com.
Love, Emma
P.S Remember, I am a little ballerina blogger from Derbyshire. My opinions on history are solely from the perspective of a ballet lover and are in no way intended to be a factual representation. My favourite thing is pink tutus, darling!
