Hello, my darling dancers and tutu enthusiasts! Emma here, your time-traveling ballerina, and today's blog post whisks us back to the year 1834! Oh my, it was a delightful jaunt, full of elegant moves and beautiful ball gowns! Just imagine, dear readers, stepping into a time when ballet was blooming! I love this period so much – there was a real magic in the air, as ballet was evolving from its early forms to a sophisticated, enchanting art form!
The weather was beautiful today, sunny and crisp as I set off from my Derbyshire cottage with my darling Magic Meg, her mane and tail sparkling like spun sugar! She’s so well-trained now she understands "1834, London!" and we arrived with nary a fuss, just a slight bump down cobblestones. The smell of wood smoke and warm bread was intoxicating, reminding me that I'll need to stop at the local bakery on the way home, I’m already dreaming of fresh rolls with a pat of butter!
Today's trip was a ballet enthusiast’s dream! Imagine my delight to stumble upon the Royal Italian Opera, a breathtaking space bursting with exquisite decor! You just had to love the rich fabrics and chandeliers shimmering with a thousand prisms. This was a jewel of a theater, steeped in history!
Ah, what ballet was on offer today?! None other than "La Bayadère" - the tale of a temple dancer in India. Now this is an absolute must-see, a classic story, rich with exquisite choreography! There were scenes of such grandeur and beauty, each turn, each leap sending shivers of pleasure down my spine. The costumes, my dears, they were an explosion of colours! Layers upon layers of shimmering silks and sparkling jewels! It would have taken my breath away even back then, though it was considered "very dramatic" in the day! Oh, the stories I collected for my rucksack today! So many interesting pieces for future posts, about costumes, techniques, and even some glimpses into the dancer's lives!
I’d love to be able to tell you all about the choreography, the intricacies of the movements. But the truth is, things have evolved SO much. You’d see leaps, jumps, and poses you wouldn’t find in ballet today! This "Bayadère" certainly had the audience enthralled! The energy in the theater, the anticipation before each scene, the sighs of satisfaction at the end - it was an absolute delight. And afterwards, what did I do, my darling dancers? I slipped into a Parisian coffee house, of course, where the chatter flowed as easily as the tea! I learned so much from observing the elegant ladies, the gentlemen, discussing this masterpiece of the art form! The perfect ending to my ballet day!
Before I forget! The news this week is full of excitement for ballet lovers! The "Corps de Ballet" are really making waves, their precision and unity is making heads turn, in a way, the "Corps" were almost as big a star as the lead roles! It is such a joy to watch such grace and artistry! You can almost hear the collective sighs of approval when they take to the stage.
And did I mention the tutus? Of course I did! Today, I added two beauties to my collection – one was a light-as-air affair, the other – a vision of delicate beauty in flowing white tulle! These were "real" costumes from that period!
I simply had to get them, they are precious to me. One day, maybe you, my readers, can come visit and see them up close in my collection, which now includes over a thousand costumes and articles, from silk ballet shoes to antique tickets from performances from throughout time! Imagine a ballet historian's dream come true, the past all brought alive for my own personal pleasure!
But wait, there's more! Today I stumbled upon a dressmaker, whose seamstress's nimble fingers work tirelessly on a bevy of the most enchanting gowns and accessories! They were creating the costumes for the theatre itself, and the intricate detailing! The fabrics they worked with were something else! Velvets, silks, delicate laces, even feathers. It made me long for the days of more hand-crafted clothing, I can't imagine sewing such intricate detail, it takes such skill and patience! Just a taste of what these ladies were creating!
But back to those tutus. What have I collected lately, dear readers? Oh, the thrill! Two beautiful, hand-sewn tutus! Both crafted by expert hands – one a delicate confection in light peach and cream, the other a more dramatic creation with layers of swirling midnight blue, finished off with a silver ribbon! Such masterpieces! These will grace my collection for years to come!
The excitement doesn’t stop there! As I wandered the busy streets of London, I was captivated by the stunning fashions! Such an array of colours! Bright yellows and reds! Deep, lush greens! My dear readers, it seems 1834 was an era of bold hues, unlike anything seen before! You wouldn’t find much "ballet pink" back then. They still had quite a way to go on the whole color scheme and the cut and fit of the clothing! But the dresses, even the more elaborate "street-wear", was certainly taking some inspiration from what was appearing on stage at the theatre!
Well, my darlings, the evening is here, so Magic Meg and I will be setting off back to Derbyshire. She’s enjoying the good life, eating carrots from local farmers' stalls and apples from orchard trees. Oh, but what’s this? My rucksack is suddenly feeling heavier! That can only mean one thing: another day full of treasure, a journey in time well spent!
Now off to the bakery, and maybe I’ll buy myself a dress with an ever so slight hint of pink! Perhaps 1834 could use some more colour! Remember, my darlings, it is never too early, or too late, to get dressed up in your finest pink tutu. It’s not about the clothes, it's about the joy you feel as you twirl and express yourself.
See you all next month, with more ballet time-traveling tales!
Keep dancing, and keep spreading pink tutus!
Emma x
www.pink-tutu.com
