Hello dearies! Emma here, back with another blast from the past, and oh my goodness, August 8th 1829 is quite a treat for a ballerina! Imagine: romantic ballet was ALL THE RAGE!
Magic Meg and I were whisked to Paris - such a glorious city - just in time for a show at the Opéra de Paris! It was pure magic! The entire world was celebrating a young, talented dancer called Marie Taglioni. Oh, the stories I gathered about her grace and artistry! They even called her "the fairy" in the newspapers, such a lovely description.
Now, I must tell you about her tutu. The tutu has always been my absolute favourite ballet item, and Taglioni's was exquisite! A diaphanous, white creation, practically floating above the stage. Can you imagine the excitement it caused? It was considered revolutionary! So much lighter than the old stiff corsets, and it allowed the dancers such beautiful movement - just like dancing on air. My pink tutu is nothing if not inspired by the likes of Mademoiselle Taglioni!
Talking of fashion, Paris was abuzz with all sorts of new and wonderful creations. Imagine my delight! I spotted the newest styles in ladies’ shoes – delicately heeled pumps with beautiful laces, all the way to boots with intricate patterns - just perfect for any ballerina. And the bonnets! Feathery, ruffled, and exquisitely adorned - a delight to see! Of course, my favourite find was a dainty, pink shawl. Imagine twirling on stage in the midst of all the romantic flourishes, with that delightful pink fabric flowing around you - a truly exquisite and feminine spectacle!
Oh, but before we rush on, don't forget the dance! Marie Taglioni was renowned for her "La Sylphide" performance - she really captured the romantic essence with every twirl. The whole concept was so delicate, so feminine. And you know, my dears, romantic ballet truly brought an ethereal quality to the stage. It wasn’t just about leaps and turns, it was about storytelling, emotion, and artistry. I mean, it is the perfect avenue to express the grace and elegance that we ballerinas naturally possess, isn't it?
So, off I dashed to grab the most beautiful pink feather boa for my ballet bag (all for a song! 1 franc!), and we hopped back on Magic Meg and flew to Italy. Oh, what a journey! The landscapes, the scent of jasmine...just like stepping into one of my favourite ballet operas!
We landed just in time for a performance in Milan at the Teatro alla Scala! You see, all this romantic ballet had become a global craze, and all the big cities were celebrating its grace. This was where the ballerina Fanny Cerrito held court! She, too, had an exquisite talent for expressive dance - she really knew how to weave a story through movement.
Now, in my leather rucksack, there's a lovely programme from the Milan performance with a note I wrote about her performance of “La Fille mal gardée". You know, for a truly Romantic ballet, the whole show was about a beautiful girl defying her father to pursue her love. It's pure theatrical escapism! And to make the performance truly fabulous, Fanny Cerrito’s costume was, well, stunning! It had layers upon layers of exquisite ruffles and a bodice that would make your heart skip a beat.
Before we depart for our next ballet adventure, I wanted to mention that 1829 was quite a year for all things ballet. The famous Vienna Ballet School was founded! It just shows that ballet is truly for everyone, everywhere. And the best part? We can keep learning from those incredible ballerinas like Taglioni and Cerrito, who inspire each of us to step on stage and twirl into our own dreams.
Now, I'm off to enjoy the lovely autumn colours in Derbyshire. Magic Meg's had a bit too much sugar today – and we'll leave the romantic stories of 1829 behind for a bit... But until next month, I hope you continue to embrace all things pink and twirly!
Keep shining, dear readers, Emma.
www.pink-tutu.com
