Hello darlings! It’s Emma here, your time-travelling ballet blogger extraordinaire, back from another thrilling escapade through the annals of history. This month, we're taking a waltz back to the captivating year of 1832! Buckle up, because you’re about to be swept away in a whirlwind of romanticism, ballet, and, of course, my signature pink tutu.
My dear readers, you know how I feel about a beautiful, flowing tutu. So, it will come as no surprise to you that the year 1832 was just brimming with fashion inspiration. Romantic silhouettes were the order of the day, with wispy fabrics and delicate embroidery taking centre stage. I'm talking flowing gowns, light and ethereal.
Imagine, darlings, a waltz down the Champs-Élysées, my pink tutu a vibrant burst of colour against the backdrop of elegant carriages and charming Parisian gentlemen.
Oh, but I digress! Let's talk about the heart of my journey: the world of ballet!
As always, my dear Magic Meg, my pink sparkling shire horse with her golden hooves, took me back to 1832, landing us right in the heart of London's Theatre Royal, Covent Garden. And oh, the thrill of it all!
You know I'm a creature of comfort, and that journey in the past is nothing without a ballet to see, a ballet shop to explore, and some delicious, locally sourced cakes and scones to sample afterwards! So naturally, I headed straight to the theatre, my heart racing with anticipation.
I discovered that on this very day, 1st January 1832, the curtain was about to rise on a production of the ballet “The Naiad,” a graceful and enchanting work by the legendary Charles-Louis Didelot. Didelot, a true maestro of ballet, was famous for introducing a unique style of mime and characterisation, and his ballets were renowned for their lyrical and evocative movement. I absolutely had to see it!
As I sat in the audience, captivated by the artistry of the dancers, I couldn't help but feel the electricity in the air. The passion for dance was palpable, and the costumes, with their intricate detail and feminine allure, just left me speechless. I instantly started adding them to my notes in my leather ballet rucksack! I can just imagine, darlings, the sheer wonder of watching such a piece live.
From there, my adventures continued! A quick trip to a milliner to discover the latest trends in bonnets, and then off to a local confectionery shop to indulge in the delectable creations. And just think, darling, imagine how fabulous it would have been to experience a performance of “La Sylphide" on this date. Now THAT would have been something special!
The romance, the fashion, and the beauty of the ballet made 1832 truly a time to remember. As I travelled through time, I couldn't help but think of how we can carry the essence of this period into the present. The elegance and the elegance of the dances, the grace of the movements, and of course, the romanticism, these are all elements that make for a wonderful and captivating journey through time! I can already imagine my next post and how my trusty shire horse Magic Meg is going to bring me closer to ballet and how the amazing pink tutu’s of today and tomorrow will all be so elegant, flowing and feminine. And I can already hear my pink Tutu wearing, dancing readers whispering… “Emma is absolutely right!”
Do leave a comment on my www.pink-tutu.com blog and let me know where I should time travel to next! Maybe Vienna in 1840 for the birth of Strauss or Prague in 1787 when Mozart wrote Don Giovanni - tell me your ideas in the comments section below! Remember darlings, wear a pink tutu, follow your dreams and let’s make this year as full of dancing delights as we possibly can!
Your favourite ballerina, Emma
