Hello, my darlings! It's your favourite time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back with another tantalising glimpse into the captivating world of ballet history! This month, we're waltzing our way to December 12th, 1828, a date brimming with excitement and intrigue. My oh my, what a time it was to be a dance enthusiast!
As you know, my love for ballet runs deep. But my heart also beats for fashion, particularly the kind that makes you feel like you could pirouette straight out of a dream – you guessed it, tutus! So naturally, when it comes to time travelling, my beloved Magic Meg and I are always decked out in our finest pink finery. My shimmering, blush-pink tutu feels absolutely perfect against the backdrop of this vibrant period. You know me, always seeking to share my passion for ballet and inspire others to embrace the graceful beauty of a pink tutu! 😉
But before we dive into the delights of ballet in 1828, let's talk about how this trip even happened! My latest fundraising performance, a spirited rendition of the "Sugar Plum Fairy" variation from Tchaikovsky's Nutcracker, was a smashing success. It seems that a tutu twirl never fails to enchant, even with a touch of time travel magic thrown in! Those lovely ladies and gents showered me with generous donations, enough to whisk us to a grand new ballet adventure.
This time, my sweet Meg (a pink, shimmering shire horse, as you know, with golden hooves and a mane and tail like spun sugar) and I have found ourselves in none other than the bustling city of London, where we can hear the echoes of the famed Italian opera singer, Giulia Grisi, ringing in the air. She is a truly breathtaking woman, who captivates her audiences with her powerful voice, much like my own sparkling personality on stage, you might say!
So, my dears, where can we begin in this dazzling time period? Well, this month, my little time-traveling adventurers, we are on the hunt for an exclusive glimpse into the very latest in ballet fashion, as well as to get the most captivating ballet news and gossip in the grand metropolis of London!
I've just spotted a glimpse of the delightful Madame Vestris, renowned as a breathtaking actress and dancer of her time, who recently returned from her trip to France! Madame Vestris has such panache! Imagine the Parisian fashion sense on display! You can imagine her in a glamorous satin dress, an abundance of delicate lace, with shoes adorned with dazzling pearls and feathers! My oh my! Perhaps she'll inspire me to find the perfect new, more dramatic piece for my tutu collection!
Speaking of Parisian inspiration, did you know that on this very day, La Sylphide, one of the earliest ballets by the French choreographer, Jean Coralli, premiered in Paris at the Théâtre de l'Opéra, and, just weeks after, in London at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane! This incredible work, which introduced ballet’s 'romantic' style to the world, captured the imagination of London’s society with its delicate choreography and enchanting storytelling. Can you picture a performance so captivating it becomes a legendary work? Oh, to have seen this extraordinary work first-hand! Just imagine! How utterly splendid! My heart skips a beat just thinking about it! I imagine myself gliding on stage, enchanting my audience with my elegance. The crowds must have gasped, the men smitten with such breathtaking artistry!
What a day for a true dance aficionado like myself, wouldn't you say? I can almost imagine my lovely Meg patiently waiting backstage, her glistening hooves patiently awaiting my return, while I stand backstage, listening to the enthralling melodies of the era.
However, while this particular time period doesn't boast any major premiere dates for ballets, that doesn’t make this period any less special, especially with London’s theatre scene teeming with artistry, my darlings. A great theatrical treat, in my opinion, would be to watch The Maid of Cashmere, a production bursting with charming music, a story of the mysterious Princess Amina, the ruler of Cashmere, seeking the hand of her own daughter in marriage for the beautiful Sultan! Imagine all the drama and excitement! Oh, the stories I could tell, especially as a glamorous ballerina with my knowledge of Parisian fashion! It would be simply divine!
However, that's not all! With Madame Vestris in town, our ballet news will be nothing short of exciting! I've already spotted several dance troupes, captivatingly performing in dazzling costumes that I can only dream of possessing. My heart practically explodes with excitement! We might even try to catch one of those grand spectacles, just imagine, seeing dancers like Madame Vestris herself – imagine, my lovely! My dear Meg is quite patient, but if we stay too long, she’ll start snorting, her delicate nose twitching with impatience. As always, my sweet Meg is my anchor to this beautiful journey through time, ensuring we never stay too long! But, as always, my precious Meg's heart also belongs to ballet! And a great ballerina has to have a great ballerina horse!
You know me – never one to be outdone! With my sparkling pink tutu, my faithful Meg, my vintage-style leather backpack overflowing with dance books, stories and ballet memorabilia from this historical era, we’re ready for another time-traveling adventure! Do you know, a bit later this month, Madame Vestris will be making history yet again as the first woman to be managing director of a London theatre! What a pioneer! I'd love to witness that historical moment unfold! My dear Meg will surely approve as well! And, naturally, we’ll make a grand fashion statement while doing so. Because for a pink tutu time traveller like myself, fashion is an art form!
So, until next month, keep those pink tutus twirling! Don’t forget, all my dearest time travellers, be sure to check out www.pink-tutu.com, my very own website! I'm always adding new photos of my latest ballet outfits, snippets from our past time-travelling excursions, and some fun facts about the captivating world of ballet! Keep dancing, keep shimmering, and most importantly, keep spreading the love of the pink tutu! 😉
Sending you all my love, Emma x
