Hello darlings! Emma here, your Pink Tutu Time Traveller! This month we're whisking back to the 1849s and landing in London, for a most delightful May day - can you even imagine a better date for a Pink Tutu Time Travel? May in London always feels magical!
Let's have a little chat, my lovelies. I was wondering - are we on a Pink Tutu kick at the moment? Maybe a pink tulle party planned, with your favourite Pink Tutu looks from the past? A lovely dance with some special pink satin slippers? Let's bring some fun to the day!
You see, there’s something about the 1849s, a whisper of romance in the air - don't you think? Like a beautiful waltzing tune with a sweet, playful beat. It’s a fabulous time for a ballet enthusiast to visit! So hop on your magic horses, dear lovelies - our pink-hued, enchanting journey is about to begin!
Magic Meg - my fabulous pink shire horse with her gleaming, golden hooves, white mane and tail like spun sugar, and shimmering pink coat - is all ready. You can almost hear her sparkly hooves clip-clopping as she anticipates the journey. And of course, my precious Pink Tutu, oh how I love this dancewear - it just makes the best time-travelling ensemble. So, quelle horreur! What’s in the time travel bag this month, I hear you asking...
My latest ballet-treasure hunt saw me uncover a gorgeous collection of 19th-century ballet sketches. Imagine, all these sketches just waiting to be seen! They depict ballerina costumes – and some were simply divine! Quelle elegance! They captured a ballerina’s poise, the flutter of their skirt, a pirouette, a grand jeté, everything - such perfect ballerina figures! Imagine their graceful steps and expressive hands - tout à fait extraordinaire.
Speaking of costumes… have you heard of the very famous Mademoiselle Rosine? I can just imagine her, twirling in that beautifully beaded, bejewelled ballet bodice... Oh, and can you imagine how a pink tutu would have shimmered in the stage lighting of the time?!
I have been so curious about the famous Paris Opera Ballet's 'Giselle', a ballet first premiered in 1841. Did you know? Giselle became a superstar of the romantic ballet world, adored for her grace and beauty. Can’t you just see her on the stage, leaping, dancing in her graceful tulle skirts, captivating her audience with the beauty of her movement, the pure drama of the performance? Just thinking about it makes me giddy with excitement - I simply must try a romantic dance in the style of Giselle!
A Look Around The London Dance World Of 1849
Back in our timeline, the London dance scene is abuzz with the premiere of the legendary opera Il Trovatore, the beautiful music by Giuseppe Verdi and the vibrant storytelling made it an absolute masterpiece. Don’t miss its grand performances - they were filled with romance and a good dose of drama - everything a ballet lover wants.
Meanwhile, back at the ballet school the teachers have been busy at work, whipping their students into shape. Ballet classes at that time focused on perfecting elegance and graceful technique – just think of the refined pirouettes and captivating movements they would perfect. They really honed in on their pas de bourrées. We can all learn from their dedication. Did you know - those lovely 18th-century tutus with their elegant, light, almost fairy-like fabric were the perfect complement to this exquisite style of dancing.
Oh, and speaking of tutus…. I love the elegant dance steps that are performed in a tutu – the beautiful balletic line of a dancer's body – it makes me want to waltz like I’ve just stepped out of a ballroom straight into my favourite ballet class!
And if that wasn't exciting enough - you can catch a performance by one of the best ballerinas of the time - Madame Carolina Rossi – a brilliant dancer in her day, she is a true gem, an inspirational dancer. And let's not forget, darling, that all these amazing dancers needed the perfect shoes - the beautiful ballet slippers – just imagine the gentle sounds they make as they twirl – so enchanting.
Don't miss out on a must see performance at the Royal Opera House - there’s nothing better than seeing these dancers take the stage, feeling the magic of the theatre at that most spectacular of theatres. It’s an enchanting experience to be cherished.
But wait… I almost forgot to tell you… It is the height of ballet fashion, so make sure you bring your own Pink Tutu and some absolutely fabulous ballerina-chic garments – a delightful tulle ballgown or a magnificent ruffled bodice - a touch of Pink - just what every discerning ballerina would love to wear.
What better place for ballet lovers to come and gather, and embrace the fashion? It was truly the hot spot for dancers in England at this time. And if you’re lucky enough, maybe you’ll even get to visit The Drury Lane Theatre for a spectacular performance of ballet d'action.
As the sun sets in London, I’m just imagining the magic. A sparkling night, with beautiful twinkling lights reflected in puddles in the cobbled streets…and the wonderful, warm glow of the London theatre, full of the beauty of dancing, and maybe the clinking of champagne flutes in the refreshment stalls. Ah, London ballet, what a delight.
Magic Meg is all saddled up for our journey home now… It's time to bid London 1849 adieu, darling. But not before we have one last little dance! I must try to do a beautiful Giselle-inspired dance in front of a pink-hued, moonlit sky.
And of course, you, dear lovelies, are more than welcome to join me in our Pink Tutu journey – whether it be with your Pink Tutu or with just a lovely dance, and of course, with a sparkling smile, for it is the beauty of movement that truly makes time travel magic!
Until next month, dear lovelies!
Emma - your Pink Tutu Time Traveller
www.pink-tutu.com
