Welcome back, dearies, to another edition of Pink Tutu Time Travels! This month, it's Post Number 2379 on www.pink-tutu.com, and itâs a real humdinger! Buckle up your pink ballet slippers and grab your magnifying glass, because weâre stepping into the captivating world of Parisian ballet in the year 1859!
As you know, dear readers, I canât resist a bit of historical ballet magic. And for this month's journey, my beautiful pink shimmering shire horse, Magic Meg, with her golden hooves and snowy mane and tail, has galloped me right into the heart of Paris, a city synonymous with elegance and, of course, the ballet!
As we rode along the cobblestone streets, with the scent of pastries and freshly baked bread swirling around us, I was positively bursting with excitement! My leather rucksack, always by my side, was ready to be filled with ballet gems and stories from this glorious period.
Our first stop was the glorious Palais Garnier Opera House, still very new at this time. Can you imagine, dearies, this breathtaking beauty of architecture, the grandeur, the anticipationâŠand me, my dear readers, right in the middle of it! Iâm feeling a slight touch of 'pinch me!' right now.
Let me tell you, the sheer size and opulence of the place nearly knocked my sparkly little socks off! Just being in the very building where legendary dancers like Marie Taglioni and Carlotta Grisi had performed made my heart flutter with awe.
Ballet Bonanza!
The day was March 3rd, and it was a Saturday, which meant that it was a grand performance night. My very own little ticket, purchased with funds from my last few ballet performances (did you see my whimsical âSwan Lakeâ with a touch of pink, by the way? Absolutely divine, my darlings!), got me straight into the main auditorium.
The atmosphere was electric, and you can imagine the chatter, the tinkling of jewellery, the ladies in their gorgeous gowns, the scent of jasmine, oh, I just love time travel to 'belle Ă©poque' Paris!
That evening, the renowned choreographer Jules Perrot was presenting a stunning new ballet: âFaust,â featuring the exceptional ballet dancers, Emma Livry and Adolphe DumilĂątre, the âpower coupleâ of the ballet world back then. The story itself was, of course, very romantic and beautifully tragic! Imagine: the famous sorceress, Marguerite, who had made a pact with Mephistopheles for love. I'm telling you, the sheer romance and danger of the whole story practically transported me into a gothic novel!
A Parisian Promenade:
Later that week, I took a charming stroll around the elegant Parisian streets, my trusty pink tutu swishing ever so daintily as I made my way through the bustling scene. It was truly exhilarating, from the shops showcasing the very latest ballet shoes and costumes (some absolutely divine, my dearies! ) to the gorgeous little cafĂ© on a corner, with its lace tablecloths and churning cafetiĂšre... oh, I could spend a lifetime right here! And thatâs just part of my enchanting adventure!
Time Travel Treasures:
While the Paris Opera was still very much in its âhoneymoon periodâ in 1859, there were still some older, and wonderfully enchanting, theatres which gave me a fascinating glimpse into the heart of ballet's history. In one enchanting old theatre, I stumbled upon an old, tattered programme. Now, this wasnât just any old programme! Inside it was the program for a ballet called "La Fille du RĂ©giment" (The Daughter of the Regiment). Isn't it such a charming title, darlings?! This was the very ballet where the dazzling dancer Fanny Cerrito performed a dance sheâd created herself, which, they say, she based on the âcachucaâ, a spirited Spanish dance! That sounds wonderful, doesnât it? I even got to meet an elderly man, the oldest ballet dancer in all of Paris, who had witnessed that very ballet performance and told me all about it. I am now diligently working on perfecting the âcachucaâ to show you all on my next pink tutu ballet class.
But enough about ballet! What's a fashion lover like me to do in the worldâs most stylish city without shopping? I mean, just look at my tutu, my darling readers, itâs enough to set my heart aflutter, wouldnât you say?! I do adore a good ballet store or a bustling boulevard lined with artisans showcasing their latest designs for ballet wear. That evening, I fell head over heels for an absolutely adorable hat store (not far from the ballet store!) , with beautiful feather trimmings on every bonnet, and hats in silhouettes that are a symphony of loveliness! Letâs just say Magic Meg had quite a journey back home from that shop! And oh, if you have not yet read it, I can highly recommend Charles Dickens' book "A Tale of Two Citiesâ. He captured that London â Paris comparison beautifully!
Sharing the Love for Ballet:
So, there you have it, darlings, my Parisian adventure for this month. What can I say? Paris is a place where time stands still, a city that makes you feel utterly timeless. A perfect city to dance around in your very own pink tutu I dare say! If itâs not already in your ballet wardrobe, well then, dearies, what are you waiting for?! Make that order, because your Pink Tutu life awaits, just a click away! I do hope you enjoyed this journey through 1859 and found some inspiration from my time-travel escapades. Remember, every month thereâs another story to be discovered!
Until next time, keep on twirling and never let your dreams dim, darling! âOn pointeâ always!
Emma x
