Post #2150: www.pink-tutu.com
Oh, darling! It's the 2nd of February 1840, and guess who just arrived? Me! Yes, your girl Emma's landed right here in the heart of Victorian England, thanks to Magic Meg, my trusty pink sparkling shire horse with hooves that glitter like spun gold. Isn't she a vision? We made a dash from the stables, with her white mane and tail whipping in the breeze, and landed right outside the beautiful Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, London! It was a blustery, snowy morning, but that's never going to stop a pink tutu-wearing ballerina, eh?
And talking of ballerinas, well, you know that's the first thing on my list. To discover what this enchanting time has to offer the world of ballet! The moment I saw the beautiful Georgian theatre with its intricate carvings and dazzling grandeur, my heart did a little pirouette. Oh, to be whisked away to the elegance of a grand opera house! But you know me, darling. I'm always after the backstage gossip, the juicy details. I had to see if 1840 was as glamorous as I imagined.
And you know what? This Victorian ballet scene is even more intriguing than I hoped! Today, on this particular February 2nd, I discovered that London was just teeming with ballet talent!
But before I go off on a whirlwind of all the brilliant things I found, just imagine it: the snow falling silently on the city, while inside the Theatre Royal, the music swirled and danced with the movement of the most captivating ballerinas. This is exactly where I belong. And with Magic Meg outside ready to whisk me away, we're on a journey to see it all!
Ballet Blossoming: A Victorian Adventure
The first thing I discovered today, darlings, was the burgeoning of the "balletomania" that was taking Victorian England by storm! This was the age of the famed Jules Perrot, a Parisian ballet master who brought the dazzling style of French ballet to England and truly made it flourish. Perrot, you see, had come to England in 1837, captivating Londoners with his incredible talent and unique choreographic vision.
At the Theatre Royal, a beautiful production of his most famous ballet, "La Esmeralda" - a tragic love story set in the 15th-century Paris - was just taking centre stage! I snuck into a backdoor performance, feeling just a little mischievous (in my best ballet bun, of course!), to watch the magnificent ballerinas swirl and pirouette through the incredible scenery. The passion of the dance and the sheer elegance of the costuming…ooh la la! I even saw a glimpse of the famous French dancer Carlotta Grisi as Esmeralda, an iconic ballerina who truly owned this performance!
My satchel is overflowing with theatre programs, sketches of costumes and, oh darling, did you know that some of these ballerinas were using actual flowers in their hair for an enchanting effect? Imagine a stage ablaze with delicate blooms, with a scent as enchanting as the dance itself! This, darling, is my kind of history.
The Dance Goes On:
But it was far from just the big shows, darling. Ballet was truly everywhere, even in everyday life. Imagine strolling along the fashionable boulevards, and suddenly seeing a young gentleman or lady dressed in full 1840's fashion gracefully practicing their "pas de basque". Yes, this Victorian era saw the rise of ballet instruction for all levels - even for people who couldn't attend the grand opera house.
As you've probably gathered by now, I’m smitten by these fabulous costumes of the era! The women, oh darling, the women! Their long, flowing skirts, the graceful tucked bodices, the elegance of their satin shoes and all those beautiful decorations! But my heart truly fluttered when I saw a ballerina at a salon practicing her poses in a tutu. Yes! The beginnings of the iconic pink tutu can be found in this beautiful era! Just think about it! A ballerina in a flowing, frilly tutu dancing against a backdrop of intricate décor… it just sets my imagination on fire!
It’s these little gems, these intimate glimpses into the ballet culture that make me feel like I am living through this magnificent era!
Time To Say Au Revior to 1840:
Oh, the world is so beautiful! I could easily spend weeks in London, lost in its beauty and the exciting stories it holds, but my travels have a much larger map to explore. The magic of time travel always beckoning! But this little taste of 1840 will stay with me forever. I think my pink tutu just found a new home!
Oh, but before we gallop off to our next adventure, let me give a nod to another wonderful piece of ballet history happening today. In 1840, at a little ballet school in the French city of Lyon, a baby named Marius Petipa, one of the greatest ballet masters in the world, was just learning to walk! *Isn't that extraordinary? *
My darlings, I’m already eagerly awaiting next month’s trip, packed and ready for another ballet escapade! Remember to visit www.pink-tutu.com for updates, new blog posts, and the most incredible ballet stories the world has to offer.
Until then, wear pink tutus and embrace your own personal "balletomania."
Love, Emma, your time-traveling pink tutu ballerina!
