Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, your pink tutu-loving time-travelling ballerina, back with another entry from my Ballet Time Travel Blog! This month, I'm waltzing back to October 10th, 1859, a date brimming with theatrical excitement.
Now, if you know me, you know that I adore the colour pink. Pink tutus? Heaven! Pink dresses? Bliss! But even my penchant for pink couldn't compete with the vibrant charm of a true 19th century performance. You see, tonight, I'm not just any ballerina - I'm heading to the Théâtre de l’Opéra, Paris, for a dazzling spectacle featuring the famed Mademoiselle Celeste.
You know, history just wouldn't be history without the most dazzling dancers gracing the stage. And Mademoiselle Celeste was just that – a dazzling star. She was so famous for her beauty, her acting skills and her impressive balletic abilities, that even Emperor Napoleon III, and his wife Empress Eugénie, would come to see her performances!
Imagine the thrill! Can you just imagine seeing her perform on stage, my dears? And tonight, I’ll be seated in the royal box, watching the theatre erupt in applause. You know what they say, “the show must go on”! I love seeing shows from this time, so different from our modern ballets, filled with rich, vibrant, dramatic stories and, of course, exquisite costumes, designed by none other than the maestro of French ballet, Charles-Louis Didelot.
But, first, it’s off to Paris for an afternoon of elegant French shopping. You see, I can't possibly waltz into the Opera looking less than spectacular, my dear readers. Think layers of tulle and silk, maybe a velvet bodice and a charming feathered headdress - the very epitome of 1859 Parisian fashion.
While I’m there, I’ll be picking up some delightful trinkets to bring back to Derbyshire with me in my trusty leather rucksack. Think miniature figurines of the dancers, and maybe even some beautiful hand-drawn prints of the exquisite set designs, featuring intricate arches and breathtaking scenes of forests and enchanted realms.
A Ballet History Sneak Peak:
This month's blog post is my 2386th since I started sharing my ballet adventures!
But before I jet off, let's delve into the world of ballet on this date back in 1859. A few weeks before my adventure, October 10th, to be precise, ballet maestro, Jean Coralli, sadly passed away. This renowned figure from French ballet, his death shocked the world of dance.
However, ballet wasn’t left with no stars. As I'm going to witness myself, the beautiful Mademoiselle Celeste, famed for her dancing talents and beauty, took over the theatrical world that night. While the celebrated Russian prima ballerina, Fanny Elssler, enjoyed an extraordinary international career and even had an enormous bronze statue commissioned of her, Mademoiselle Celeste certainly shone her own bright light, too!
There are many, many great ballet dancers. I think it's absolutely enchanting and lovely how our world of dance brings beauty, romance, and culture together!
But before I go, my dearest friends, I'd love to hear from you!
*Tell me in the comments, what's your favorite ballet show, costume, or piece of history? *
Oh, and if you haven't already, don't forget to pop over to www.pink-tutu.com for a delightful selection of vintage and contemporary ballet outfits to get your tutu fix, and you might just even see photos of some of the wonderful ballets from the past, and maybe a little sneaky photo of yours truly, on stage or off, in my own dazzling pink tutu.
Until next time, keep dancing and may your days be filled with pink tulle and happy leaps!
Yours truly, Emma
P.S: Have you spotted Magic Meg's new sparkly pink harness, complete with a pearl-encrusted brow band? Isn't she a dream!
