Welcome, dearest readers, to Pink Tutu Travels! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast and time-travelling ballerina! This month, my faithful steed, Magic Meg, a magnificent pink shire horse with golden hooves and a flowing white mane and tail, whisked me away to Vienna, Austria!
As I gallop through time, you can almost hear the gentle tinkling of Magic Meg's golden hooves. My leather rucksack is packed ready to capture the most dazzling ballet moments of 1877 - this is going to be a real beauty!
Post number 2597!
Before we dive into the Vienna whirl, let's talk about what the rest of the world is enjoying in the world of ballet on this glorious day, 5th May, 1877:
- In London, at Covent Garden Theatre: They’re gearing up for a performance of "Le Lac des Cygnes", one of my all-time favourites. Sadly, I'll miss seeing this, but I've packed my sketch book to jot down some design inspiration for my own swan-inspired tutu back home!
- Paris is buzzing with excitement as the Parisian Opera Ballet is preparing for a stunning "La Bayadère" performance. Imagine, intricate Indian-inspired costumes, the sheer drama of it all! I've already tucked away some beautiful sketches of the costumes in my rucksack - oh, how I love collecting precious snippets of history.
- The Russian Imperial Ballet is dazzling audiences in Saint Petersburg with "La Esmeralda". This one truly grabs me - those tragic tales of love, passion, and despair just pull me right in. It's just begging to be recreated in the world of contemporary ballet - I might have to put a few thoughts down on paper when I'm back in my Derbyshire cottage.
Now, let's head to Vienna - imagine Vienna!
It's a whirlwind of waltz music, cobbled streets, and the most beautiful Imperial Palace - it just seems to shimmer and shine in the warm sunshine. But Vienna’s charm isn't limited to its architecture; it pulsates with a ballet culture that's absolutely thrilling! I must tell you all about it!
The Vienna State Opera House, a masterpiece of elegance and grandeur, stands proudly in the heart of the city. The first thing that strikes me is its glorious façade - think majestic pillars and an air of regal charm. And inside…oh inside! The décor is a symphony of velvet and gold, making me dream of twirling on the stage, bathed in the soft glow of chandeliers.
But I'm not just here to admire the architecture; it's time to dive into the fascinating world of Vienna ballet, circa 1877!
The company at the Vienna State Opera was famed for its strength, technical brilliance and dramatic prowess back then, which they showed off during performances of classical masterpieces. Ballet stories, full of tragedy and drama, like "Giselle" and "La Sylphide", were staples in the repertoire. The dramatic costumes and powerful performances completely captivated me. Imagine long, flowing tutus, and a vibrant palette of colors – pure artistry! I actually had the joy of seeing the original "Giselle" at the premiere of the play last month in Moscow and was so taken with its raw beauty and emotional strength.
Then there was the avant-garde dance teacher *Carl Alt, * a true visionary of the Viennese ballet scene! His pioneering spirit infused the dancers with a unique, flowing style, a kind of effortless elegance I had never seen before. I even bought a little ballet-themed sketchbook from a charming antique shop in the Old Town so I could try and capture the fluid lines of his dance vocabulary - perhaps one day I will incorporate some of these moves into my own choreographies.
As for ballet fashion…it's a glorious blend of tradition and style! The graceful and long, flowing tutus have always been my favorite! But what really caught my eye here in Vienna, was the intricate embellishment. Delicate hand-painted flowers on tulle, layers of luxurious satin and intricate beading – these designs just had me completely mesmerized!
And the shoes, darling! It's not just pointe shoes (although the exquisitely crafted slippers that were worn on stage here were simply stunning). There were beautiful dance shoes worn for everyday practice - all hand-crafted leather, with intricate straps and delicate silk ribbons tied at the ankles - such femininity!
And while the shows themselves were mesmerizing, one thing that completely stole my heart in Vienna was a dance party.
I found myself in a grand salon with crystal chandeliers, dancing the waltz with dapper young gentlemen in their finest attire. I don't think I ever felt so feminine and elegant, swirling and twirling in my blush-pink tutu. Even Magic Meg seemed to catch the Viennese spirit as we rode back to our starting point, cloaked in the sweet scent of jasmine, which bloomed everywhere along the route, making it a perfect summer's night.
One of the joys of time travelling is capturing these precious memories. I’m off to find a local paper shop, I'm dreaming of creating an entire scrapbook dedicated to my trip. And perhaps, with Magic Meg at my side, we will embark on a new adventure to the beautiful city of Vienna soon. Until next time, I hope you've enjoyed our little waltz through 1877!
Always remember: Keep twirling and stay fabulous!
**With love,
Emma
Pink-Tutu.com
