Post #2102 – www.pink-tutu.com
Dearest readers! This month, Magic Meg and I have journeyed back to the charming year of 1836. Just imagine, ladies and gents! We are gazing upon the world of ballet back when it was just beginning to blossom, when ballerinas danced on the tips of their toes, with strength and grace, and when tutus were still quite the novel idea! 💖
Now, I’m a firm believer in the importance of history. Knowing where we came from, especially in ballet, allows us to appreciate the evolution of the art form. And for this trip, I felt an especially strong urge to revisit the year 1836, a period which saw a number of groundbreaking advancements in the world of ballet.
Magic Meg, my trusty pink shimmering Shire with hooves like gold and a mane and tail as white as freshly fallen snow, galloped us through the cobblestone streets of Paris. Paris, as we all know, was the epicentre of ballet in 1836, a true cradle for talent. We were there for the debut of Marie Taglioni’s 'La Sylphide' at the Paris Opera on the 12th of March. Talk about an historic event! Now, I’m not talking about the original La Sylphide. The first staging of this legendary ballet happened way back in 1832 in Copenhagen, with the great Filippo Taglioni. But the Parisian premiere brought about the ‘pointe-shoe-explosion,’ with Marie's groundbreaking performance bringing new meaning to the art of ballet and changing the whole dance scene! Imagine a ballerina flitting across the stage as light as a feather, her pointe shoes practically kissing the floor. Talk about an inspirational and iconic moment, wasn’t it?!
Just a mere week before this monumental performance, however, something else important occurred at the Paris Opera, this time at a ballet performance known as Le Diable Amoureux. Imagine, a whole ballet centered around love and the devil – exciting stuff! The performance starred Louise, a captivating ballerina whose pointework was talked about across Paris, and who just so happens to be none other than Mademoiselle Taglioni's younger sister. This truly is a moment in history that makes me want to put on my favourite pink tutu and pirouette in joy! 🎉
While we were in the French capital, I found an intriguing historical document - an old programme from a ballet class being taught by Jules Perrot, a pioneer of Romantic ballet. I mean, Jules was the one who created the famed ‘white’ tutu (the ones I love!), you know, the ones that really do let you see the ballerina’s every movement like they’re just floating, gracefully gliding through the air.
He even mentioned the term tour, which you might find hard to believe, was still quite a novelty at the time, just appearing in choreographies. Can you imagine a ballet class where you had to think before turning?! You can learn about it now of course - this ballet choreography language became fundamental for the future development of ballet, just as I’ve seen, in the years ahead, right here on my magical travels.
Paris wasn't the only city bustling with ballet energy in 1836. Magic Meg, who was rather enjoying the Parisian nightlife and the warm Parisian weather, was quite ready to gallop onward to London. Imagine the London ballet scene – you can practically hear the swish of silk skirts and the melodies from Covent Garden. London was all about the dramatic choreography at the time, featuring spectacularly challenging and impressive movements, including those of the brilliant Fanny Cerrito. Her moves, the dynamic leaps, the rapid turns, and those perfectly controlled, swift, breathtaking runs – are legendary!
The Italian scene also made an impression in this period. In Milan, ballet, still heavily influenced by the Parisian model, was reaching new heights. This year, a dazzling spectacle of a production by Salvatore Viganò premiered, making waves throughout the country and drawing attention from as far away as Naples and Turin. Can you imagine, having an impact across a whole country by bringing a ballet show to your city? Talk about the impact of dance and the power of expression. The impact of that performance echoed through the entire Italian ballet scene. I can see why they’d choose to embrace a theatrical show full of music and dance! A true treat!
Oh, my dears! Our time-travelling exploits have been filled to the brim with enchanting performances and thrilling discoveries about this amazing time period. Not to mention that I've managed to collect some exquisite ballet items! Just look!
- I managed to get a glimpse of the amazing 'Le Diable Amoureux' performance at the Opera in Paris. And in a rare stroke of luck, I actually acquired a miniature replica of a poster for this historical ballet. Just imagine – I can now proudly display this tiny poster in my little London flat, giving my tiny living room a dash of ‘Romantic Ballet’ style! 💖
From the bustling heart of Milan, I found a tiny hand-painted porcelain figurine of a dancer in the pose that all dancers try to perfect at least once, you know - a striking arabesque pose! It looks exactly like something a 19th century gentleman would give his girlfriend! A perfect little token of the romanticism of 19th century Italian ballet.
Magic Meg even galloped into the heart of Covent Garden theatre itself, a truly majestic architectural delight that still fills me with wonder today. With a swift, dare I say magical swipe of her magic hooves, we snuck into the backstage. As we went along, I managed to nab an incredibly valuable ballet ticket from the 1836 season. I swear it must be at least worth a few quid, considering how sought after vintage tickets like this one are today! And I imagine how it was back in 1836 when those tickets sold out weeks in advance. I can see how these tickets are so valuable in the world of historical collecting – such treasures!
- My new bag, crafted of supple leather (that’s why my bag is so practical, ladies!), is now overflowing with these valuable historical artefacts. From Milan and Covent Garden to the grandiose opera house in Paris, this bag of mine has held some absolutely dazzling gems!
But more importantly, the ballet I've seen today has opened my eyes to a vital historical moment for the world of dance. It’s inspiring, it's breathtaking, it’s absolutely divine! So much of what we take for granted in ballet was conceived and refined in this very era. I’ve been to ballet performances in several cities throughout Europe and, trust me, the stories behind the dancing were the true stars of this amazing time travel journey.
You know, as always, I just adore seeing how ballet brings people together. As my rucksack is overflowing with historical artefacts, my heart is also full of inspiration for future posts for www.pink-tutu.com!
So, what are you waiting for? Dust off those dancing shoes, ladies and gentlemen, and let your passion for ballet carry you away. But do remember to join me on next month's Pink Tutu Travels. Let's go explore what lies in the future together – the possibilities are simply endless. Until next time, may your tutus twirl happily, always!💖
