Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your monthly dose of all things ballet and a sprinkle of time travel magic! This month, I'm whisking you away to a rather chilly January 1st, 1851, for a peek into the world of ballet through rose-tinted glasses.
You see, while January isn't usually associated with a flurry of balletic brilliance (my dear Derbyshire, in the depths of winter, is particularly quiet!), history has a funny way of surprising you. So, pack your imagination, grab a warm shawl for this chilly journey, and let's hop aboard Magic Meg!
She’s a sight to behold, isn't she? A glistening pink Shire with a tail like spun sugar and hooves that shimmer with golden light. And today, she’s carrying us back to an era when ballet was flourishing in France, Russia, and even right here in good ol' England.
A Glimpse Through the Victorian Curtains:Imagine stepping into a Victorian theatre in 1851. The air is thick with the scent of jasmine and lemon, and the hushed anticipation is almost tangible. On stage, a prima ballerina with an ethereal air is gliding through her choreography. In the audience, ladies in elaborate bonnets and gentlemen in their finest frock coats, all absorbed in the magic unfolding before them.
While this may sound like a dream straight out of a ballet novel, this was very much reality. 1851 was a pivotal year for ballet, filled with performances and artistic innovations, even if January wasn't bursting with opening nights.
The Ballet World Awaits:In 1851, the Parisian Opera was buzzing with activity. The illustrious Ballet Master, Jules Perrot, was busy preparing his new work, "La Fille du Danube". It would premiere later that year, bringing forth a story filled with drama and sensuality, all delivered through elegant movement.
Over in Russia, a burgeoning ballerina named Anna Pavlova was beginning her training, destined to become one of the most celebrated dancers of all time. She wouldn’t make her debut until later in her teens, but just imagine a young Pavlova practicing her moves at the Imperial Ballet School – her dedication and innate grace foreshadowing a brilliant future!
And while there weren’t any big premiers taking place in England in January 1851, our own ballet scene was far from sleepy. In the theatres of London, companies were performing classics like Giselle and Swan Lake. And if you were a fashionable soul (and of course I know you are, my lovely readers!) a visit to the Opera House or one of the numerous private theatres was de rigueur for a Wednesday or Friday evening out.
Time Traveling Treasures in My Rucksack:Speaking of fashionable souls, have you ever wondered what it would have been like to be a ballet dancer in Victorian times? I've been adding a few intriguing items to my rucksack during this trip.
For starters, a sketch I found in an antique shop, depicting a ballerinas in their signature short tulle skirts, a style so far from the sweeping tutus we are accustomed to today. It's quite a fascinating difference! I also discovered a lovely little silk scarf with intricate floral embroidery that, while not strictly ballet-related, was all the rage back then.
Imagine, darling! Wearing this silk scarf during one of your ballets - a bit of historical elegance! Now that's a pink tutu dream!
### Spreading The Pink Tutu Love:
Now, I know some of you might think my aim in life, getting everyone to wear a pink tutu, is a little... well, outlandish. But just imagine the joy of ballet - that feeling of pure delight! What could possibly make that feeling more wonderful than dancing in a sparkly pink tutu?
Remember darlings, ballet is for everyone! It's a magical art form that crosses borders and time itself, connecting us all in a beautiful, uplifting way. So let's bring that same joyful energy to everything we do. And let’s hope to make 2023 the year we finally convince the world to embrace the wonder of a pink tutu!
Till next month, when we embark on a new, pink-tinted time travel adventure.
Yours in ballet and bubbly,
Emma
P.S. Don't forget to check out my vintage ballet fashion haul, including that darling silk scarf, at the end of this post!
