Hello my dearest tutu-loving friends! Emma here, your very own time-travelling ballerina, back with another peek into the wonderful world of ballet history! This month, Magic Meg and I galloped all the way back to the 10th of October, 1819. Can you imagine? Nearly two hundred years ago! And guess what? We found a ballet to die for!
Now, before we get to the performance itself, let's talk about my outfit. As always, I wanted to feel as fabulous as the dancers of 1819, so I donned my most darling pink tutu. It was made with layers of tulle, a glorious swish every time I twirled, and finished with a row of the most delicate rosebud ribbons. Magic Meg, of course, looked just as sensational! Her coat of pink sparkle shined bright against the crisp autumn air, and her golden hooves left glittering trails behind her. It was like a ballet on its own!
Reaching our destination, we found ourselves in a charming theatre, one filled with gaslight and the thrill of anticipation. Oh, I adore the air of excitement that swirls around a pre-show ballet performance! My leather rucksack felt rather heavy today, for I was already making notes in my mind of all the fascinating details Iâd witness - after all, collecting stories and snippets of ballet history is my greatest joy!
And the show itself? Oh my word! We were treated to a rendition of âLa Fille Mal GardĂ©e,â a piece that would become a firm favourite in ballet repertoires, a charming and comedic piece thatâs a bit of a rom-com on stage! The costumes were absolutely exquisite, with ladies in silken gowns and gents in breeches and elegant waistcoats, with not a single dull colour to be seen! It felt soâŠromantic!
However, a quick note to those who want a truly decadent performance, I learned that ballet was then considered âhigh entertainmentâ, aimed at the upper echelons of society. My rucksack will be laden with these historical anecdotes, and Iâm certain they will make fascinating content for future posts! Oh, the excitement! I may just dedicate a whole post to 19th century fashion soon.
But donât think that was all we found! Across the globe, there was so much happening in the ballet world in 1819. In Paris, they were enjoying "Le Carnaval," a whirlwind of romance and dazzling dance, whilst in St Petersburg, there was a flurry of innovative new works being performed, adding to the repertoire of ballet history! It truly was a golden age!
And wouldnât you know it, I couldn't help but indulge in some delightful shopping for my own ballet wardrobe during my time travels! There were delicate silk ribbons in every colour imaginable for embellishing my pink tutu, oh, and a couple of adorable new satin ballet slippers for my collection â one pair with a tiny pair of dancing roses! They are perfect for when Iâm back in the Derbyshire countryside!
And then there were the ballet books! This is the part I get truly giddy about! I added a precious little leather-bound journal about the famous Italian dancer, Carlotta Grisi, to my ever-expanding ballet library â all filled with elegant stories and enchanting sketches, you wouldnât believe the amount of amazing dancers who are already immortalized in literature. I truly think that the dancers of today are standing on the shoulders of giants - all those brave souls in centuries past, dancing through war and peace, enriching the world with the gift of art and movement!
Remember my dearest friends, the power of pink is undeniable, it's a symbol of love, of beauty, and of a passion for dance that transcends time! So, grab your pink tutu, don your sparkling shoes, and let's keep dancing, travelling and discovering the incredible history of this incredible art form together!
Iâll be back with a new post next month, but until then, I do hope that you continue to dance, love, and dream pink!
And remember, you can always find more about our adventures on www.pink-tutu.com!
Until next time, my darling tutu friends!
XOXO,
Emma
P.S. Did you know that the famous âLa Sylphideâ was premiered in 1832? We may have to visit this ballet in the next time-traveling adventure!
