Hello, my darlings! Emma here, back with another thrilling adventure through the annals of ballet history! This month, we're hopping back to the 11th of November, 1865, a date that vibrates with the exquisite magic of the Russian ballet scene. Imagine, my dears, a world without tutus! Or, at least, without the glorious, frilled and frothy pink ones I favour.
My trusty steed, Magic Meg, a magnificent pink sparkling Shire with a golden mane and hooves, snorted a burst of fairy dust as I adjusted my vibrant pink tutu for the journey. (Yes, I did try to persuade Meg to wear a matching one. But you can’t teach an old horse new tricks – although her sparkling pink saddle is rather splendid). With my leather rucksack – always overflowing with treasures I pick up from each historical adventure – strapped to my back, I was ready for another glorious ballet journey.
Our destination, dear reader, is St Petersburg, the Imperial heart of ballet, the land of opulent ballerinas and masterful choreographers. The date, 11th November 1865, was significant for two monumental ballet productions. One, a royal command performance of the beautiful and intricate 'The Sleeping Beauty' at the Imperial Bolshoi Theatre. The second, was 'The Pharaoh's Daughter', the captivating ballet premier at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre.
Can you imagine, darling? Not only two brilliant shows in the heart of Russian ballet culture, but one at the Imperial Bolshoi, a haven of dramatic dance performances, and the other at the Mariinsky, famed for its classical and elegant productions. Simply exquisite!
I arrived at the Bolshoi Theatre just as the Imperial court filed in. The grandeur! Oh, my dears, it was an absolute symphony of luxurious fabrics and sparkling jewellery, all punctuated by the glittering chandeliers above. But I was especially captivated by the sheer perfection of the ballet itself. 'The Sleeping Beauty', the Tchaikovsky masterpiece, so elegant, so intricate, was like a dream woven into every step and every movement.
Now, imagine the thrill of watching legendary ballerina, Ekaterina Vazem, twirling through the magnificent steps as the Sleeping Beauty! Every move, every flick of her satin pointe shoes, was simply perfection! I confess I could barely resist throwing myself onto the stage for a spontaneous twirl myself! (Thankfully, Magic Meg provided a firm reminder to stay out of the spotlight. One has to consider one’s reputation, after all!)
I ambled through the cobblestone streets of St Petersburg, the air perfumed by the scents of rich plum cake and steaming tea, a sensory journey all its own. But soon, I arrived at the elegant Mariinsky Theatre for the premier of 'The Pharaoh’s Daughter'. Here, too, a wave of history, of art, of grand performance. It was a sight to behold!
Even more delightful was the chance to browse the city’s grand department stores, filled with exquisite fashion – silks, velvets, feathers! Naturally, I took the opportunity to shop, as one should. The exquisite designs were simply inspiring. Imagine a pink satin corset, dear reader, trimmed with shimmering jewels – perfect for my own tutu, perhaps? A beautiful pair of lavender satin ballet shoes for a glamorous waltz? This beautiful city is a cornucopia of fashion inspiration.
As my adventure neared its end, I realised that even in this time period, passion for ballet ran strong. Just like now, audiences in St Petersburg were mesmerized by the graceful elegance of every performance, captivated by the art of movement and the beauty of storytelling in the ballet. Even in 1865, tutus were a central part of the balletic experience – even if the colours back then were more modest than my preference for dazzling pink.
As I hopped back onto Meg, feeling like a fairy princess returning home from a wonderful journey, I realised that my little blog about pink tutus has a bigger purpose than just spreading a bit of joy and promoting fashion. Ballet is a powerful language, it crosses time and borders, and, I truly believe, it holds a universal magic. That's why I’ll keep exploring, dear readers. And why I believe that, perhaps, we can all live a little bit more like ballerinas – elegant, graceful, and a little bit sparkly.
Stay tuned, dear reader, as my journey through the vibrant world of ballet continues next month! I can’t wait to show you what more magnificent dances, sparkling moments, and enchanting fashion treasures lie ahead. In the meantime, keep twirling and stay beautiful!
Always, with love, Emma xx
