Post #2195
Hello darlings! Emma here, your pink tutu-clad time traveller extraordinaire, back with another enthralling adventure from the annals of ballet history! November is in full swing, the leaves are a cascade of fiery colours, and the air is crisp and clean, itâs just perfect weather for a lovely dance, wouldnât you agree?
This month, we're skipping back to November 11th 1843, a day of exquisite Parisian charm. Imagine a world awash in the warm glow of gaslights, where ladies wear silk gowns with billowing sleeves and bonnets trimmed with feathers, and gentlemen are dashing in velvet coats and top hats. Such elegance!
Now, you know I love a good performance, so naturally I had to visit the ThĂ©atre de lâOpĂ©ra, a place that vibrated with excitement, filled with the intoxicating aromas of perfume and the murmur of eager anticipation.
This particular evening, I was captivated by a performance of "La Jolie Fille de Gand". You may not know the story, but trust me, this ballet is a real gem, with an adorable heroine who must choose between her heart's desire and duty to her family! Oh, the drama!
Imagine my delight at spotting a dancer in a delicate, blush pink tutu, much like my own. The intricate lace embellishments, the fluffy, layered layers, all were inspired by the Romanticism of the time. That tutu certainly stood out against the darker silks of the evening dress fashion. I snagged a tiny piece of lace from her tutu for my collection, donât worry darling, only a tiny bit, and made a note to myself to write a full post dedicated to "La Jolie Fille de Gand" later, its history and all the lovely details.
But what about ballet beyond Paris? My lovely Meg, with her white mane shimmering like a cloud under the moon, trotted us straight to London the following morning. We were there just in time for âAuberâs The Queen of the Carnivalâ at Covent Garden.
Here I saw a magnificent show, full of drama, vibrant costuming, and of course, that delightful twirling and leaping, all very popular with Victorian audiences. Although âLa Jolie Fille de Gand" is not particularly known outside of Paris, âAuberâs The Queen of the Carnival" enjoyed immense success across Europe! Just proves what we already know- great ballet knows no bounds.
Even if you couldn't get to the theatre, ballets like these were the talk of the town, with fascinating reviews and gossip spilling out from London's streets to Derbyshire where I call home. Ballet was definitely "the thing" back then! I'm always saying a little dose of the fabulous and fashionable can perk up anyone's day. We are all ballet enthusiasts deep down, whether we're spinning at the barre or enjoying the worldâs newest trend- the Ballet Blouse!
It's not all about Paris and London, of course!
While exploring the historical archives in London, I came across a most intriguing detail: ballet in India. I know! Isn't that amazing? Imagine graceful figures in brightly colored costumes performing stories on beautiful stages - such a treat for the senses. Itâs something I will definitely have to explore in a future post!
Of course, I have to show off the new acquisitions from my trip to London! A beautiful lace trim, a sketch of a tutu in a very lovely shade of peach, a feather that would look lovely in a top hat⊠And did I mention Iâve been perfecting a brand new spin that will put the ballerina world on notice, with a special twist for November - what do you think I should call it? "The November Whirl", perhaps, "The Pink Tutu Twirl"? Let me know what you think, I just can't wait to unveil it at the upcoming Ballet competition, but that's a tale for another day!
Remember my dear, I am Emma, and if I can convince the world to embrace the pink tutu, then the world is one step closer to a delightful and lovely whirl!
Keep swirling and twirling my sweet darlings,
Until next month!
