Dearest tutu-lovers,
Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where ballet takes us on the most magical of journeys through time! This month, my trusty steed Magic Meg and I are trotting back to the late Victorian era, a time of corseted ladies and gentlemen in frock coats, and oh my, did they ever know how to waltz!
We’re landing right in the heart of September 9th, 1876. And guess what, dear readers? It's the opening night of a new ballet at the Théâtre de l'Opéra in Paris! My little heart fluttered just at the thought! Can you imagine the excitement? It was an evening to remember, full of glittering gowns, perfectly coiffed hair, and a flurry of intricate steps, all under the soft glow of gaslight.
My heart thumped with excitement, especially since the ballet was none other than "La Source" by Léo Delibes, the master of French ballet. Imagine it: A whimsical score, a story of nymphs and fauns, a ballet so entrancing that you'd think you'd stepped straight into a romantic painting. My trusty leather rucksack was packed and ready for stories and snippets of history about the ballet – it’s my very own portable time travel scrapbook.
Before heading off to the grand opening of "La Source," Magic Meg and I had to catch the buzz about all things ballet in 1876. And let me tell you, things were bustling, much like a ballet performance itself!
A Look at the World of Ballet on 9th September, 1876:
Across the Pond: London was abuzz with rehearsals for the next ballet season, and whispers of the exciting, up-and-coming choreographers who would soon grace the stages were swirling amongst the dance elite.
The Ballerina’s Dream: Across Europe, the "en pointe" technique was still quite new, but gaining popularity rapidly. Ballerinas practiced rigorously to perfect the elegance of pointe work.
The Ballerina's Style: In 1876, the focus was on flowy tutus, a sea of tulle, with delicate, hand-stitched detail, all flowing with every pirouette.
Shopping for the Ultimate Ballet Look
You know I love my shopping trips, so my visit to 1876 included a stop at Maison Worth, a Parisian fashion house known for its beautiful and exquisitely crafted gowns. Can you imagine a whole collection inspired by ballerinas? Flowing skirts and tulle in every imaginable shade of pink? Ah, a girl can dream, can’t she?
I picked up a couple of sketches for my collection (more about that in a later post) and some gorgeous antique jewelry, fit for a true ballet goddess. I absolutely adore those intricate, Victorian-era pieces - pearls, diamonds, and a touch of delicate enamel! So elegant, like a story book come to life!
Magic Meg Makes an Appearance
I swear, Magic Meg loves the spotlight almost as much as I do. In 1876, Paris was filled with a symphony of colours – bustling markets, opulent carriages, and horse-drawn trams – all adding a touch of excitement and colour to the era.
Magic Meg made quite a statement, especially with her bright pink sheen and golden hooves. People stopped and stared, wondering what a shire horse like that was doing in the city, and she’d just whinny and preen like a ballerina striking a pose, with her beautiful white mane and tail swishing in the breeze!
A Time To Remember
The ballet performance at the Théâtre de l’Opéra was breathtaking! Every move, every gesture, every expression was perfectly balanced. I watched with wonder and excitement as the dancers brought the story to life, as though I were a part of their world!
The story of "La Source" was enchanting, like a fairy tale of love and passion, with its intricate choreography, the music and the elegance, simply captivating! My dear readers, I couldn't resist picking up a little ballet booklet that told me all about the dancers and the costumes - it’s already tucked away safely in my leather rucksack for posterity!
That’s it for this month, darling tutu-lovers! Magic Meg and I have another grand adventure lined up for next month! Until then, let the music move you, keep dancing and let’s keep spreading the magic of the pink tutu.
Until next time, Your dear time traveller, Emma www.pink-tutu.com
