Hello darlings! Emma here, back from another thrilling trip through time, this time landing on January 1st, 1857. I’m still basking in the rosy glow of this latest adventure, so get ready for some real pink-tastic discoveries!
My trusty steed, Magic Meg – the most stunning pink-sparkling Shire you’ve ever seen, with golden hooves and a white mane and tail like spun sugar - carried me right into the heart of Victorian England. You can't imagine the joy I felt, surrounded by cobbled streets, gas lamps, and those elegant horse-drawn carriages. The air was alive with the sounds of the city - a delicious cacophony of bustling vendors, jingling horse bells, and perhaps even a distant melody from a street performer.
This trip, however, wasn't just about exploring the bustling streets. My true mission? To dive into the vibrant world of ballet in 1857. Oh, you know me, always looking for a reason to get my pink tutu on!
My research revealed that this date, January 1st, was relatively quiet in the ballet world, unlike our usual exciting leaps into performance weeks! But I, for one, never get bored. I am always ready to uncover the hidden gems and secrets of this wonderful art form. I set off to my usual hunting ground – the British Museum library! It's filled with archives and diaries from dance critics, enthusiasts, and dancers themselves. My trusty leather rucksack (yes, you heard correctly – even I have to take my possessions on my adventures, and wouldn’t you just love the old ballet books I've collected? They even have notes in the margins by previous owners!) was getting quite heavy by the time I emerged, brimming with the excitement of uncovering snippets of 1857 ballet history.
A Glimpse Into Ballet Past:
So, what was going on in the ballet world back in 1857? Turns out, ballet was experiencing a time of great change. While it was certainly established in France and Russia, there was a rising enthusiasm for the art form in other parts of Europe, and even America, and, naturally, England too!
Here's what I unearthed from the archives:
A Change of Style: Ballet was gradually moving away from the heavy and complicated technique of the earlier Romantic era. The era was marked by longer tutus, pointed toes, graceful movements, and mystical storylines. However, a new wave of ballets were embracing lighter steps, intricate footwork, and a bolder sense of movement.
The Rising Stars: Many of the most iconic ballet names of the future, like Anna Pavlova (who would be born only five years later!), and the Italian dancer Pierina Legnani, were beginning their dance journeys.
London, My Darling: The biggest ballet buzz was around London. The Royal Opera House was already established, of course. The focus seemed to be on expanding the art form, both by supporting its own ballerinas and by welcoming world-renowned stars to their stage. You can't underestimate the power of a fabulous London performance!
The Ballet Fashion Finds:
This wouldn’t be a complete Emma time-travel trip if I didn't indulge my passion for ballet fashion. I made sure to pop into a few shops, and my, what gorgeous items I found! I wasn't surprised to see a big trend toward delicate fabrics like tulle and silk in gorgeous colors like soft pinks and dreamy blues - they always say fashion circles come round, you know.
- Elegant Footwear: You’ll be surprised to know that pointe shoes were still very much in their early stages of development! They were not the sleek beauties we see today, and there was lots of room for improvement! A few shop owners spoke of trying new materials to make them stronger and more supportive for dancers.
- Lace and Frills: My favourite thing? The tutus! Oh, I simply adored the ones with layers and layers of tulle and lots of delicate lace details! You simply can’t go wrong with some beautiful tulle.
- Pink, Always Pink! Naturally, pink was my primary search focus - I’m always a pink ballerina! I was thrilled to find gorgeous, silky, pale pink satin gowns, trimmed with a beautiful lace!
My pockets, as always, overflowed with lovely treasures and sketches!
A Little Reminder of My Time Travel Adventures:
It was quite an experience, even though it wasn’t a big show date. Remember, my darling readers, I time-travel every month and report back with my finds on the first day! I believe my travels are essential to getting everyone to appreciate ballet. And yes, to eventually make the world a pink tutu paradise. (Think about it!)
If you’d like to know more, make sure to join me on www.pink-tutu.com! I love hearing from my readers! Do let me know in the comments below what you’d love me to travel back in time to see, or maybe even where you would want to travel in time! Until then, happy twirling!
Yours truly, Emma
