Hello my darlings, and welcome back to another enchanting journey through the history of our beloved ballet! As we usher in the new year, I, your Pink Tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, feel the excitement bubble up just like a pirouette - this time, we're diving headfirst into the glittering world of ballet in 1869. Buckle your pointe shoes, darlings, because we're heading for a dazzling adventure!
January the 1st, 1869. The air is crisp, the morning light paints a shimmery, almost-pink hue across the Derbyshire countryside. As the dawn breaks, I'm already feeling a familiar thrill – it's time for another journey through history!
Magic Meg, my sparkling shire horse with a mane and tail like spun moonlight, is pawing the ground impatiently. She knows what this means, another journey into the fascinating past, a time when the world of ballet was in constant flux.
My pink tutu swishes around me, feeling oh-so-much at home against the backdrop of frosty mornings like this. And on my back, my trusty leather rucksack, bursting with the treasures I've collected: faded playbills, sketches of costume designs, and maybe even a vintage pair of pointe shoes - all waiting to be shared with you lovely lot on www.pink-tutu.com.
This time, however, Magic Meg isn't carrying us to the grand opera houses or renowned ballet schools. Instead, we are setting our sights on Vienna. Oh Vienna, city of waltzes, waltzes, and more waltzes! You could almost feel the music pulsating in the air as we rode along the cobbled streets. It was this city that would become the focal point for a major ballet premiere just two months later!
Our destination? The Hofburg Imperial Palace. Can you imagine the extravagance? Imagine waltzing through these opulent halls, swirling like a rose petal on the breeze!
The heart of the ballet world is beating strongly in 1869. From Vienna to Paris, London, and St. Petersburg, dance troupes are touring with exciting new productions. The renowned Russian ballerina, Mathilde Kschessinska, is a captivating force on the Parisian stage. Across the world in New York, ballet is experiencing its own transformation, with the creation of the National Academy of Design offering ballet classes and solidifying its role as a prominent art form.
Even with all the wonderful ballets to be seen, one couldn't possibly resist venturing out to discover the fashion trends of the time! Imagine those bonnets with their elaborate plumes, and dresses that were like swirling clouds of silk!
I think the biggest fashion change is, quite frankly, a complete revolution in dressmaking! We see an increasing adoption of new textiles like crinolines and hoop skirts. And even though it's a stark departure from the light, breezy dresses favoured by ballerinas, it's so incredibly exciting to see this explosion of creativity!
Oh my darlings, this year promises so much for the ballet world. Let's hop into our pink tutus and swirl into the wonderful year that lies ahead! See you soon on our next time travel adventure,
Love always,
Emma xxx
Ballet in 1869: What's On?Here are just a few glimpses of the fascinating world of ballet on that special date, 1st January, 1869.
In Vienna, The Emperor Franz Joseph: He's a man who appreciates good entertainment, and Vienna is ready for a spectacular performance by the Vienna Court Opera! The opera house buzzed with activity as performers practiced for the upcoming premieres. Just a few weeks after my time travel visit, in March 1869, "Die Zauberflöte," (The Magic Flute) an enchanting opera composed by Mozart was due to premiere. Now, who wouldn't want to see that? I would have loved to attend, my dearest darlings, if only we could!
The Royal Danish Ballet, The jewel of Copenhagen, Denmark: As the new year began, the Royal Danish Ballet, known for their precision, were putting the final touches on an extraordinary production for the theatre-goers of Copenhagen. This time they weren't putting on just any performance. They were getting ready to perform an exciting ballet based on Shakespeare’s "The Tempest"! I couldn't have helped but be swept away by the stories swirling around ballet at this time.
London: London, oh, London! You never cease to amaze me with your wealth of cultural offerings. On the 1st of January, 1869, Londoners could find themselves attending the performance of the ever-popular "Faust." A romantic opera which, in its narrative form, would be presented in many forms throughout history - ballets, dramas, and even a popular book by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. You could hear whispers of it everywhere, from drawing-rooms to tea rooms and pubs! A perfect blend of music, dance, and drama, which captures the heart and imagination.
Paris, The Palais Garnier: As 1869 unfolded, the magnificent Palais Garnier in Paris would be in full swing! Can you imagine a ballet season in the home of opera and the French ballet? Paris was a hive of activity - it wasn't only the performance, the atmosphere! Oh, the costumes! The splendor! Imagine, all that energy flowing under one beautiful roof! I feel the magnetic pull already.
Fashion Flashback:1869 is a real treasure trove of interesting fashion trends! Remember when Crinolines reigned supreme in the 1850s, it was considered all the rage. Then, in the 1860s, hoop skirts replaced crinolines, providing more freedom of movement for a woman on the move! Just as our tutus are meant for dancing, this was fashion responding to the change in women's daily life.
The key elements are the dramatic bell shape that starts from the waist. A woman in an 1869 hoop skirt presented a truly elegant silhouette.
As for our favourite colour: Pink? Of course, darling, it's the color of femininity! If you'd been stepping out for the evening in Paris or Vienna in 1869, pink would have been all the rage! Think light pink hues with floral motifs. Or you could find some bold accents of crimson pink on the lace trimmings, a popular fashion trend for those times.
And I wouldn’t miss a chance to visit the latest "Magasins de nouveautés," in France. "Magasins de nouveautés", were shops brimming with the latest fashion delights - you know, all the essentials that add a bit of whimsy to your daily life!
I have already found some beautifully ornate bonnets, some delicate gloves, and a pair of pink embroidered satin slippers!
It seems this is an era where everyone wants to make a stylish statement with every move. And you know I just love this!
## Until Next Time
Darling, it's time to wrap this up, but just before we do, remember to visit my website, www.pink-tutu.com, where you'll find even more pictures and tales of my adventures in ballet history!
So, grab a glass of bubbly and dance the night away as we say "goodbye" until our next time-traveling escapade, always,
Emma xxx
