Hello lovelies! It's Emma, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, back with another peek into the wondrous world of ballet history!
This month, Magic Meg and I have trotted back to the 1870s, specifically the 7th of July, 1871, a date filled with fascinating ballet moments waiting to be discovered! My pink tutu and I were feeling particularly excited as this is the year that a very special ballet company made its debut, leaving its mark on ballet history forever!
As always, I love seeing what the world of fashion looks like back in time, especially where ballet is concerned! Now, 1871 was a glorious time for flowing gowns and beautiful bonnets, a time for dramatic fabrics and elaborate ruffles. I mean, can you imagine a ballet dress with all those gorgeous layers of ruffles?! My oh my, it would have been heavenly!
However, imagine my delight when I discovered that July 1871 saw the debut of the iconic Russian Ballet Company! 😲 That’s right, the company that would bring the likes of Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake and The Nutcracker to the world! The very company that changed the face of ballet! Can you believe it?! The world was already on the verge of being enchanted!
The ballet company's first performance took place at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, a theatre I must visit one day! I'm absolutely smitten with this little nugget of ballet history, and can you imagine, their costumes? I bet those ruffles and laces were perfectly suited to a grand ballet setting like that. Talk about royalty! 💖
As I always do, I had a wonderful time wandering the streets of Moscow, and even made a detour to the Bolshoi. It was a simply magnificent building with beautiful architecture, making my heart dance with excitement! I even tried out the stage, much to the amusement of a couple of children nearby who were happily playing on the cobblestones. It’s funny how much things seem to have changed, but how the magic of the theatre remains constant across time!
As always, I took plenty of pictures and picked up some interesting ballet books in the local market, one that explained how ballet shoes had to be so carefully made at that time. I guess they weren't as readily available as today! So I popped the book into my leather rucksack – every time traveller needs to carry the past with her!
But of course, no time travel would be complete without experiencing a show. And let me tell you, the performance I saw at the Bolshoi was absolutely breathtaking!
Imagine: the soft glow of gaslight, the delicate melodies of the orchestra, the expressive dancing, all set against the gorgeous backdrop of the theatre. Even my trusty steed Magic Meg seemed captivated, snorting gently in admiration! It was truly unforgettable!
Although I missed out on being able to visit the Bolshoi ballet company at their prime, I did have a chance to talk with a dancer from a lesser-known company. Now, remember how I told you that women dancers used to have to use ribbons to lift their dresses while performing? This lovely dancer said they sometimes found it very inconvenient! Imagine the frustration of constantly pulling on your skirt, or trying to hold it while you’re trying to leap, arabesque, or perform an elaborate pirouette! I wonder if those ribbons added to the dramatic effect though, maybe! It’s funny how these things change with time.
You see, I simply can't resist sharing the fascinating tales of the ballet world with you, dear readers. Every story is a step back in time, and it brings me a bit closer to understanding the dance that I love. And while my own passion is pink, and tutus, I’m learning just how diverse ballet is, and what makes each era so unique!
Speaking of pink… I was a bit disheartened that I couldn’t find a single pink tutu anywhere. Can you imagine, the joy and colour a little pink tutu would have brought to the stage? Alas, the people here are just starting to find the beauty in dance, so a lot of it still feels very serious. Not quite as exciting as my flamboyant, colourful life. Maybe I'll come back and show them what a pink tutu can do. wink
Until then, remember: wear pink tutus, travel the world of ballet history, and let your own passion shine through! ✨
