#BalletHistory during 1863 03 March

Greetings fellow tutu enthusiasts!

It's Emma here, back from another whirlwind trip through time, and oh, what a grand one it was! This month, my trusty steed, Magic Meg (whose hooves just happen to be a most glorious shade of shimmering gold) galloped us straight into March 1863. Imagine: 19th century fashion, burgeoning romanticism, and some spectacular ballet! This time period really is my favourite – the ballet world was in full bloom, and I was delighted to soak it all in.

This post's all about the wonderful ballet I found in London and across the globe. Just imagine: my pink tutu fluttering beneath the crystal chandeliers of a London theatre – oh, to see the expressions of surprise! I made it my mission to document this trip, so you too can experience the ballet magic of the era. So buckle up, dear readers, and let’s set off on a tutu-tastic adventure together.

It's impossible to talk about 1863 ballet without mentioning the heart of it all: the Royal Opera House. London’s vibrant theatre scene had reached a pinnacle and oh, how it drew me in! I'm a girl who loves a good theatre experience, and let me tell you – those Covent Garden shows were simply phenomenal.

The grand opening of the season was the 3rd of March with a magnificent revival of "Faust". That was truly a performance for the ages! They had just completed the rebuilding of the Opera House that year, and it felt brand new – not to mention a magnificent, gilded haven for a ballet-obsessed traveller like me. I snuck into the audience (not without some strategic ballet steps to draw attention away from myself and my, er, un-period dress) and witnessed some of the best dancing of the age. Oh, how I adore that classic grand ballet – "Faust" will always be a favourite for me! The drama, the intricate sets, the emotional choreography – it simply blew me away.

After the grand opening, the opera house kept going strong, presenting a host of beautiful ballets, one more spectacular than the last. They had “La Sylphide” and “The Sleeping Beauty” – two classic favourites, performed with elegance and grace that brought tears to my eyes. Each dancer, like a perfectly-timed ripple of energy, captured the magic and romance of those fairy tales. My backpack bulged with scraps of history – theatre programs, press reviews, even the occasional whispered gossip.

Speaking of gossip, one little tidbit I heard from the carriage drivers was about Carl Wilhelm, a celebrated dancer known for his captivating choreography, making quite a splash in Paris. Oh, it wasn't the graceful waltzing, but rather a rumour that he had taken the London theatre scene by storm with his audacious and rebellious approach. I immediately felt a kinship with him, after all, we’re both rebels in a sense – taking ballet beyond the expected, making it daring and beautiful! His revolutionary moves sparked controversy back then – I bet my pink tutu would cause a bit of a stir if I entered one of those old London dance halls!

1863 was the year that brought me to beautiful Paris, France! Paris, with its rich artistic culture and vibrant fashion scene, was just my style – just imagine my Parisian pink tutu, oh la la! I wasn’t alone in my love of Paris either, apparently Louis-Maurice Petipa, a famous choreographer, was in Paris that year too, working on a new production of "The Corsaire", a piece that, just like “Faust”, would later take London by storm!

Now, Paris might have its fashion, and the Royal Opera House its grand ballet traditions, but my travels took me further afield. This is one thing I love about time travel – there’s always something new to discover! Across the world, from Italy to the Netherlands, I found evidence of a lively ballet scene flourishing – a network of dancers and audiences connected by the shared love for ballet.

The stage became my window to the world. Ballet seemed to transcend borders, language, and even cultural differences, a universal language of emotions and movement. It really made me proud to be a part of this timeless art form. I can imagine, from a distance, a young girl somewhere in the world watching the dancers with the same wide-eyed wonder I had – maybe dreaming of pink tutus and dazzling performances, just like me!

I'll confess, I couldn’t help but bring a few lovely souvenir tutus back with me from each location – they are just begging to be worn by dancers from all corners of the globe!

No trip through time would be complete without a good dose of fashion, and the Victorian era definitely didn’t disappoint! I had to indulge in some shopping myself!

Oh, imagine, those elegant crinolines! The delicate silk and lace details on gowns were truly something else! But don’t worry, my fashion sense doesn't stop at elegant crinolines – because we have to be a little modern, don’t we? That's why my pink tutu stood out so strikingly amongst those fashionistas. I know a lot of the girls thought it was rather “shocking,” but that's why it felt even more special to stand out. And who knows, maybe a few of them will have their own pink tutu adventures someday.

From elaborate headbands to perfectly fitted corsets – my wardrobe gained some very stylish (but temporary, for obvious reasons!) upgrades. A Victorian woman's wardrobe is so luxurious - so much fabric and intricate lace – what a pleasure it is for my eyes! It’s also important to remember that even the tutus, a vital element of any 19th-century performance, had a certain vintage allure – imagine soft, ethereal fabrics that billowed gracefully around a dancer. This era truly captured the spirit of romantic ballet - elegant, fluid, and poetic – just like a perfect dance!

So, what did I bring back with me in my backpack? Not just lovely ribbons and brooches, but a plethora of stories and dreams – a little ballet magic tucked away in a pink pouch, ready for you to unpack at your leisure. As always, I find my journeys inspire me in new ways and fill my spirit with joy. I want to encourage every dancer (and every pink tutu enthusiast, of course) to embrace this journey of discovery – the ballet history of the world is rich with amazing tales that are waiting to be found.

My quest remains – to inspire everyone to dance, to spin, and twirl in the pink! So, how can you be part of this grand adventure? First, go to the link below and read some of those blog posts I've written - the journey's already started, but it’s not finished yet! Then, share the magic! Tell your friends about Pink Tutu Time Travel! Wear your pink tutu to class or even to the grocery store. Go to your local ballet and watch the magic come alive!

As I like to say: Let’s paint the world pink! See you next time, my lovely readers, and may your steps always be light, elegant, and beautifully pink.