Hello, darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time-traveller, and welcome to my blog, Pink-Tutu. Today we're waltzing back in time to the 3rd of March, 1880, a day overflowing with balletic beauty and intrigue!
I'm currently sat in the grand theatre of the Grand Theatre de Lyon, just in time to catch a stunning performance of Giselle. The auditorium is alive with energy, a sea of shimmering gowns and dapper gentlemen sporting top hats. It’s a true ballet extravaganza!
Now, let’s rewind the clock a bit. To get here, my trusty steed, the magnificent Meg, with her shimmering pink coat and golden hooves, took us across the Channel with an effortless grace that rivals even the most graceful ballerina. I felt a shiver of excitement as the waves churned around Meg’s powerful hooves, the crisp air carrying a tang of salt that promised adventure.
This is a time of great change in the ballet world. The Parisian opera is buzzing with excitement, celebrating the iconic Marius Petipa's triumphant return as choreographer! It was a brilliant period for ballet: audiences were enraptured by his artistic genius, and he was churning out magnificent ballets left and right.
In Moscow, the Bolshoi Theatre was about to premiere a new ballet: The Talisman by Ludwig Minkus. This piece is a grand spectacle with magnificent scenery, and the choreography was particularly innovative – showcasing the Bolshoi’s breathtaking athleticism.
Across the Atlantic in New York, ballet was still in its infancy. While the city's theatre was exploding with new and innovative productions, it would be another decade before the city really embraced ballet. But I suspect the seed was planted; the excitement for this exquisite art form was building.
But darling, what would time travel be without a little indulgence? After my adventures in the Grand Theatre de Lyon, we spent an evening strolling along the Rue de la République, where I picked up a breathtaking velvet shawl, perfect for adding a touch of French chic to my evening looks. I even snagged a little sketch of the Paris Opera Ballet in their new costumes - I'm planning on sewing them myself, so look out for those updates in the next blog post!
Of course, a journey through time is never complete without a visit to the atelier of one of the grandest costume designers of the time, Madame Rosa. Imagine, delicate lace and silk spun into a veritable cloud of creativity - exquisite craftsmanship in every seam and fold.
It was such an exciting time to be alive. Ballet was gaining a wider appreciation, moving beyond the courts and into the hearts of people all over the world. As always, I filled my trusty rucksack with snippets of this period's balletic magic - a crumpled programme from the Bolshoi, a hand-drawn portrait of Giselle, even a single feather from a dancer’s tutu. I intend to recreate each of these pieces in my studio back in Derbyshire, my very own ode to this time in history.
I know that this blog is all about inspiring everyone to wear a pink tutu, and you might think, Emma, how does ballet fit in?. Well, darlings, isn’t the joy of a pink tutu, all about making a statement, expressing your own unique personality, and just having fun? The elegance, the athleticism, the beauty of the ballet – it's a vibrant expression of oneself.
As we rode back to the familiar stables at my family home, Meg and I felt that comforting lull that follows a successful time-travel journey. In those few hours, I was transported to a world where ballet held a unique magic and glamour, a time when every performance was an unforgettable spectacle. It was a day that reminded me that ballet has always been about the thrill of being bold, unique, and powerful. And isn't that precisely what a pink tutu embodies?
Stay fabulous, my dear readers! Don't forget to tune in next month for another scintillating chapter of my balletic adventures! And until then, always remember: every day is an opportunity to twirl!
With love,
Emma
