Hello darling ballet lovers! It's Emma here, your time-travelling ballerina blogger, bringing you another exciting entry from the depths of ballet history. Today, I’m whisking you back to the enchanting era of September 1874! It was an era bursting with the elegant grace of the Romantic Ballet, with its dreamy tutus and delicate storytelling. Just imagine, my darlings, the whispers of silk on silk, the scent of flowers and the mesmerising twinkle of candlelight. Oh, I do adore a bit of history!
My trusty steed, Magic Meg, and I had quite the journey this time! Her golden hooves clopped on cobblestones, and her white mane and tail danced in the wind. We set off from Derbyshire with my trusty pink leather rucksack strapped to my back, ready to absorb the ballet magic of the past. You know I adore filling it with treasures like old playbills and vintage dance cards - the best bits of bygone ballet worlds.
This month, our trip landed us in Paris, a place synonymous with all things fabulous. And, of course, we simply had to stop by the legendary Paris Opera! Just picturing myself dancing beneath the grand chandeliers in my pink tutu… oh, how delightful! And believe me, darling, even back then, Parisian women were the most fashion-forward! It was such a treat to take in the swirling ball gowns, delicate lace, and feathers galore – all those gorgeous gowns!
Speaking of gowns, September 1874 brought us a very special ballet premiere at the Paris Opera! You're going to want to hold on to your tutus for this one, because La Source, a ballet by Léo Delibes, had its world premiere. Just imagine, darling, the audience, dressed to the nines, their faces lit up by candlelight. Such glamour, and with that French style – magnifique!
But, of course, no trip through time is complete without a stop by a dance studio, or two! I always love to soak in the different teaching methods, the rhythmic tapping of feet, and the quiet concentration of young dancers - the very essence of ballet! I actually managed to learn a bit of "Balançoire", which is a little like "Russian Balançoire", but even more refined! You've just got to try it, darling, it's so whimsical! And the best part? It looked utterly smashing in my pink tutu, even if I was only dancing with the ghost of dancers from 150 years ago.
Let me tell you, a quick glance at the ballet posters back then showed a huge selection of ballets! Giselle, the beautiful story of love, betrayal and madness. The Sleeping Beauty! Always a showstopper. And then the romantic and lyrical Coppélia, where I could almost feel myself being swept off my feet! Now wouldn't that be the dream, my dears!
But the true magic of these trips lies in the connections. You know I always manage to chat with dancers from different eras - and sometimes even find myself invited to a grand dinner party! Oh, what stories they have to tell. There are the whispered secrets of royal balls, the legends of passionate dancers, and the stories of tireless dedication that make this beautiful art form what it is.
Before I let you go, darlings, remember that our monthly ballet performance at the local Derbyshire Theatre funds my exciting adventures. And as always, we are raising money to provide pink tutus for every little ballerina out there – after all, the joy of dancing knows no boundaries, especially when you are adorned with a pink tutu, because pink, is truly the best colour in the world. If you feel so inclined, do donate, because everyone should experience the wonder of a pink tutu. Until next month, keep dancing!
And, of course, be sure to follow our website at www.pink-tutu.com for all the latest updates on our adventures through time and more information on our fundraising campaign!
See you soon, lovelies!
XOXO
Emma
