Hello my darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels, the only blog dedicated to bringing you the most fabulous ballet adventures throughout history, one pink tutu at a time!
This month, I'm thrilled to whisk you away to the delightful year of 1862, a time of burgeoning change and thrilling ballet spectacles.
I was feeling a little extra girly today, so Magic Meg, my dazzling pink shire horse with her golden hooves and flowing white mane and tail, whizzed us straight to Vienna, Austria, for an extraordinary encounter with the Vienna Imperial Ballet. My pink tutu twirled with delight as I explored the majestic opera house, taking in the rich velvet seats, the intricate gold gilding, and the scent of history wafting through the air.
I was in luck! A captivating production of Giselle was being performed, and it was quite the spectacle. The choreography, delicate and expressive, drew me into the world of the ethereal wilis. Their airy leaps, graceful arms, and sorrow-filled expressions touched my heart. The principal dancer, Madame Fanny Cerrito, simply captivated the audience. It’s no wonder that she is considered one of the most influential dancers of her era. She was truly breathtaking!
This led me down a delightful rabbit hole of research. I discovered that, on this very day in history, a grand charity gala was being held at the Covent Garden Theatre in London. A performance of The Soldier's Daughter featuring dancers such as Mademoiselle Pauline Leroy, with whom Mademoiselle Cerrito was said to have been friends, was scheduled! You can just imagine the vibrant costumes, the elaborate sets, the energy of the London theatre scene in full bloom - just dreaming about it sets my heart a-flutter.
After all that beautiful ballet, my inner shopaholic couldn’t resist taking a trip down Vienna’s bustling streets. It’s simply amazing what I found. Beautiful antique lace, vibrant silks, and exquisite ribbons to decorate a dancer’s dreams! You simply must see the amazing pearl-encrusted combs I found tucked away in a dusty antique shop – they would look incredible tucked into a ballet bun. Imagine those dazzling pearls, glistening under the stage lights, making a pink tutu look even more spectacular.
And speaking of the magic of pink tutus... My dear friends, did you know that during this era, ballerinas weren’t exactly sporting the vibrant shades we know and love today? Oh, the times have changed! Ballerinas then mostly favoured classic white, and that made my heart ache. Don't you just know that a splash of pink would have elevated their performances? Why just a delicate touch of rose would have brought joy and a touch of the extraordinary to those delicate steps! I can already picture how those ballerinas would shine in gorgeous shades of pink. Imagine the elegant rose colour swirling across the stage, and the beautiful way that the light would catch the satin – a dance under a spotlight, that’s what that’s called, my dears!
From Vienna to London, and all those gorgeous details and insights into the world of ballet in 1862 - the magic just never stops, does it?
And remember, my darlings, every single day offers new and thrilling ballet moments, just waiting to be discovered! Keep those pink tutus close, let the love of dance ignite your heart, and follow your dreams. And never forget, that with every pink tutu we wear, we create a little bit of ballet magic in this world!
I hope this post has sparked some joy and inspiration within you. Until next time, keep your spirits high and your tutus twirling!
Love and pinks,
Emma xx
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