Hello darlings! Emma here, ready to whisk you back in time with a dash of pink, a sprinkle of tutus, and a whole lotta ballet magic! Today we're travelling to July 7th, 1869 and oh my goodness, it's a doozy!
But before we step back in time, let's get all gussied up in pink! My favourite tutu for today is my shimmering blush pink number, with layers of tulle so soft and delicate it makes me feel like I'm floating on a cloud. And Magic Meg, my trusty shire horse with her pink shimmer and golden hooves, looks simply dashing in a pink braided bridle. You know, every journey with Meg is a ballet performance in itself! The wind ruffles her white mane and tail, she strides with such grace, it's like a perfectly choreographed arabesque across the fields of time.
Alright, we're ready to travel! *Waving goodbye to 2023 and hello to 1869! *
Landing gently on a cobblestone street, I'm met with the intoxicating smells of horse manure, wood smoke, and fresh bread – a delightful contrast to the 21st-century cityscape. Now, you can’t imagine my delight when I saw all the ladies on the street sporting stunning floral parasols. Isn’t it just glorious how even in those days, they understood the importance of adding a pop of colour and elegance? And talking about elegance, their hats! Oh my word, the hats were truly masterpieces, some adorned with feathers, ribbons and flowers.
Now, my journey takes me to the majestic Covent Garden Theatre in London - the heart of British ballet in 1869. Imagine my joy as I discover that on this very day, the renowned * "Le Roi des Aulnes" * was making its debut! Can you believe it? The world premiere, darling, right before my very own eyes!
Le Roi des Aulnes, which translates to The King of the Alder, was a ballet drama choreographed by the talented Arthur Saint-Léon with music by Jules Reyer. Now, it's a lesser-known piece but its legacy, oh it lingers. This beautiful ballet drama, inspired by the ballad of the same name, tells a poignant story of a father searching for his missing daughter, only to encounter a spectral figure that leads him astray, a story steeped in mystery and emotion.
I imagined the dancers’ fluid movements, the evocative music, the stage illuminated by gaslight, the gasp and hush of the audience! It was all just breathtaking! Oh to see that iconic performance first hand, it would have been so wonderful to experience its impact on the audience. But worry not my darlings, because, oh I’ve snagged myself a little memento for you - a beautifully worn programme from that premiere night! I’m adding it to my collection, I'm hoping to recreate its look and feel, for all you aspiring ballet fans. Wouldn’t it be lovely to imagine how ballet touched audiences back then, the costumes, the stories, the pure unadulterated love of the dance.
Next, it’s time to head off to the renowned Palais Garnier in Paris! *This, you see, was the place to be in the world of ballet! * A place where artists gathered to push boundaries and create timeless masterpieces. Of course, no visit to Paris in 1869 is complete without experiencing a ballet, and you can imagine my delight to discover that a new version of the "Swan Lake" was being performed by none other than the legendary dancer Jules Perrot. Jules Perrot, he is truly an innovator, his approach to classical ballet revolutionized technique, so this performance was definitely going to be worth my time! The grandeur, the costumes, the spectacle! It’s such an inspiration. I snagged a charming pair of ballerina shoes, and, just like a little bit of the "Swan Lake", they have found their way onto my backpack. They're beautiful, my lovelies, you’ll want to add this vintage look to your tutu ensemble!
My, it’s been a whirlwind of a journey, wouldn’t you say? I've felt the vibrant energy of Covent Garden and the Parisian elegance of the Palais Garnier, the joy of dance and the magic of time travel.
However, the best thing I got on my journey today was inspiration. It just makes me want to get out there and put on my tutu and dance. This is what I love, being a ballerina, dancing through history, feeling the history, seeing its magic, being a part of the legacy!
Join me next month, when I travel to another fabulous date, ready for more ballet magic.
In the meantime, keep dancing!
And, yes of course, don’t forget to add some pink to your wardrobe. Let's inspire the world to twirl in a pink tutu, and let the magic of ballet blossom wherever you are.
Lots of love, Emma www.pink-tutu.com
