Hello my darling tutu enthusiasts! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels! This month, Magic Meg and I have whisked ourselves back to the glorious city of Paris on 8th August 1838. Oh, how I do love Paris! The fashion! The romance! The ballet!
This time, my pink-hued heart was beating a little faster than usual. I had heard whispers that August 8th 1838 was going to be a particularly exciting day for the Parisian ballet scene ā and oh, how right I was!
The ThĆ©Ć¢tre de lāOpĆ©ra was positively bursting with excitement as it prepared to host the world premiere of āGiselleā, a story-ballet set to music by the wonderful Adolphe Adam. You'd think that, with such a name as 'Giselle', this was just a straightforward story-ballet. But darling, "Giselle" was anything but ordinary!
Imagine a young peasant girl, so naive and trusting that she's literally bewitched by the charms of a seemingly charming prince (the actual prince, I must confess, was actually a disguised Duke, or something similarly shocking, darling! ). Heās really not the dashing type, a bit of a ābounderā you know? Giselle is so head over heels for the dashing prince (with an underlying tragic touch, you know?), that when she discovers that his noble status makes it impossible for them to be together, and that heās actually about to marry a very different type of woman (someone rich and important, as you can imagine, my dears!)ā¦she completely loses it! And this darling, is when it gets truly interesting...
Letās just say that she dances, oh how she dancesā¦ into madness. She then wanders into the woods to meet some wonderfully romantic ghostly figures, and oh my goodnessā¦it just gets so very dramatic. She falls to her death and her sorrowful ghost joins these ghostly figuresā¦ The prince is there too (dressed as an absolute bounder still! I must say he gets to look rather good when his noble features take on a sorrowful appearanceā¦)
Of course, what do I find inside my leather rucksack, that my fabulous pink tutu has adorned for the occasion? I found a beautiful vintage copy of āGiselleā! You know that beautiful blue velvet cover with the gold print that everyone talks about? Oh my goodness! I couldnāt believe it, itās in such fabulous condition! I feel a bit sorry for it that itās going to be stored carefully for posterity and wonāt be enjoying its second-century birthday on my fabulous Parisian adventure!
I went shopping for the show in the finest department stores Paris could offer - I got the most incredible ivory satin gloves, an oversized black velvet shawl and oh my, just imagine it! Iām still completely flummoxed by the sheer luxury and loveliness of it all. You have to see this amazing shop! It has just got to be mentioned in my blog, itās called La Maison Martin! What exquisite lace and embroidery, it was truly the definition of opulence! As if a Paris outing is complete without some divine Parisian chocolate, itās got to be the decadent truffles with pink centres. You see, theyāre all just my colourā¦
After indulging in such treats, I, along with the hundreds of fashionably attired Parisians, crowded the majestic ThĆ©Ć¢tre de lāOpĆ©ra. It is quite the venue for the most prestigious shows. With its beautiful ornate architecture, chandeliers glittering above, it truly makes you feel like you are entering another world. And what a world to be in!
The performance itself was exquisite - from the stunning costumes (lots of white and flowing lines in āGiselle,ā a ballet known for the delicacy and precision of its movements) to the truly evocative choreography. I simply felt as though my feet had never touched the ground all evening. They say this was the start of what was known as the āromantic eraā in ballet.
The audience were captivated, and even after the performance, there was such a buzz of energy about the ballet! The critics, even those normally skeptical, wrote about how much they had loved "Giselle". I feel like āGiselle" will become a classic! If I hadn't been born hundreds of years later I am convinced I would have had the chance to study the dance for years!
As my feet carried me back out of the OpĆ©ra, I couldn't help but think about the way a simple dance can truly transport you back in time. That's the real magic of ballet ā how it transcends the boundaries of time, reminding us that even in the past, people still sought joy, beauty and escapism through this beautiful form of art.
And now, dear friends, my tutu time travels have come to a close for this month. Magic Meg and I are about to leave Paris behind.
*This monthās blog has reminded me why ballet history is so important. Let us all try to keep our history alive. This dance form is truly magical. *
I'll be back in a monthās time to continue our exciting journey back to the beautiful past. In the meantime, youāll find me at my regular haunts in my favourite Derbyshire dance schools - perhaps we shall see you there? And donāt forget, until next time, all good things to you in pink tutus, dears!
