Hello, darling dancers! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-clad time traveller. Welcome back to another instalment of my magical monthly ballet adventures. Today, we're jetting off to the grand Parisian salons of 1871, specifically to witness a performance that had the city on its toes!
As always, Magic Meg, my beautiful pink sparkling Shire horse, is prepped and ready to gallop us back in time, her golden hooves shining brighter than a ballerina’s costume under the stage lights. We are, of course, adorned in our favourite shades of pink - I’m rocking my tulle princess tutu and a pink feathered boa, while Magic Meg sports a pink satin saddle and a fluffy pink mane. Ready for a trip back to the gilded age of Parisian ballet? Buckle up!
Paris - A Hub of Artistic ExpressionArriving in 1871 Paris, we are greeted by the bustling, elegant city. Even back then, Paris was considered the world’s capital of fashion and culture, and ballet was absolutely thriving. I simply can’t resist a little bit of Parisian fashion shopping!
I decided to check out a beautiful new hat shop right opposite the famous Opéra Garnier. It’s absolutely stunning with a lovely array of elegant straw boater hats adorned with flowers and delicate feathers – they reminded me of the charming bonnets worn by the ballet dancers at the Opéra in 19th Century performances! I found a gorgeous pink feather bonnet and couldn't resist adding it to my collection – perfect for a dance performance or afternoon tea in a fashionable Parisian salon.
It’s hard to resist shopping here. Just around the corner, I came across a haberdashery brimming with colourful silks, velvets and satins - perfect for designing ballet tutus of course! I must make a note to come back later. After all, what good is a pink tutu enthusiast without a touch of pink silk, eh?
At The BalletOur grand adventure leads us to the Opera Garnier, a stunning structure with the most amazing architecture! We made our way through a flurry of carriages and ladies adorned in elaborate gowns and shimmering jewels – truly breathtaking!
Inside, the theater was just as impressive as the outside. We secured tickets (using my magic travelling pocket watch for the money, naturally!) to the ballet “La Source,” a beautifully orchestrated ballet that debuted just a few months prior to our arrival. This romantic ballet tells a tale of love and sacrifice and includes a thrilling dramatic interpretation of water nymphs and spirits, it’s such a clever blend of drama and beautiful dance!
What captivated me most, apart from the spectacular ballet performances, was the dress sense of the Parisian audience. I can see how Paris earned the title “The World’s Fashion Capital!” Stunning dresses in vibrant colours and extravagant jewelry - just breathtaking. Imagine a sea of fabulous pink gowns - simply divine!
You see, in the early 19th century, opera houses and ballet performances were a place for the social elite to show off their wealth and their impeccable style. I mean, why else wear your fanciest ball gowns unless you were showcasing them in a stunning ballroom, right?
After the ballet, I enjoyed a delightful soirée with fellow ballet enthusiasts. It’s a privilege to witness these exquisite dances – they’re such expressions of artistic skill and graceful athleticism.
It's worth noting that in this period, ballet companies still often featured female dancers who hadn’t reached their teens. A rather young age for such a demanding art form, you would think! But, that just makes their skill all the more remarkable.
It's definitely exciting to see the incredible talent and passion that exists in the world of ballet, especially back in this historical period! And how lucky we are that such remarkable talent exists for us to learn from and be inspired by, through all of history.
I even met the world-famous ballet dancer, Emma Livry. We bonded over our love of ballet and even indulged in a beautiful ballet recital – I surprised the other dancers by adding my little pink tutu twist to their performance! We danced the night away.
The experience is truly a gift. I hope you're feeling the magic too!
Remembering our Time Traveller LegacyBefore leaving, I grabbed a few mementos, tucked neatly into my leather satchel, from this Parisian soirée - a beautifully crafted ballet programme, a snippet of music sheet, and even a drawing by an audience member. These snippets of ballet history, together with my stories from our pink tutu travels, make up my incredible collection from this fabulous time period!
Don’t forget - Pink Tutu Travels are just getting started! We will explore more amazing periods in history – there are so many stories to be uncovered in the wonderful world of ballet.
Join me next month when we venture to a different era, discovering even more incredible dances, and adding another exciting chapter to our Pink Tutu Adventures. Until then, practice your plies, polish those pointe shoes, and stay curious, darlings!
Emma xoxo
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www.pink-tutu.com 💖
