#BalletHistory during 1880 11 November

Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, ready to whisk you away on another dazzling journey! This month, we're heading back to the late 19th century, to a crisp November day in 1880, for a taste of the ballet world of the Victorian era!

My trusty steed, Magic Meg, my pink shimmering Shire with golden hooves and a cascade of white mane and tail, was ready as always, eager for our adventure. As I strapped on my trusty leather rucksack – perfect for collecting precious ballet souvenirs from each era - I couldn't help but feel a wave of excitement. Today, we're going back in time to discover how ballet was changing and evolving in the final decades of the 19th century!

On this date in history, ballet was truly thriving in many parts of the world. Back home in Derbyshire, England, I'd have been thrilled to catch the latest performance at the Royal Opera House in London, which was then the home of the Royal Italian Opera, as it's been for generations now. Back then, London was truly a melting pot of artistic cultures, with performers from all over the world bringing their talents to its grand stages.

As I adjusted my own pink tutu for the journey, I imagined the graceful forms of the ballerinas and the thunderous applause of the Victorian audience, entranced by the dramatic tales brought to life through dance. Oh, to have seen the celebrated Swedish dancer, Mathilde Kschessinska, in all her glory! Her career as a ballerina stretched back to 1881, just around the corner, when she started her impressive journey with the Imperial Ballet in Saint Petersburg. Now that would have been a sight worth travelling through time for!

The City of Lights, Paris, would have also been abuzz with ballet, naturally. My imagination was alight as I envisioned a visit to the grand Palais Garnier, then in its prime, witnessing the artistry of dancers from the Parisian Opera. Back in those days, there were ballerinas like Marie Taglioni, her famous white tutu swirling on stage – perhaps, one day, I can travel back and see that myself! But even without travelling that far back in time, imagine the beauty and spectacle! It was the era when stars like Lucille Grahn were setting the Parisian stage alight with their grace and talent, making this city the centre of the ballet world.

My heart, however, was back in Derbyshire, envisioning the dancers performing in a more intimate, yet still enchanting setting, in the beautiful, rolling hills of my home county. A local theatre would have offered a delightful glimpse into the captivating world of ballet, a source of both wonder and entertainment. Just imagine the delicate steps, the intricate choreography, and the costumes – perhaps even pink ones! It’s amazing how dancing transcends time and allows us to connect with the artists from those days, regardless of where we find ourselves!

This month, my blog post, Pink-Tutu.com, is a little different from my usual ballet journey – there are no specific stories or ballet relics, but I am celebrating the beauty and power of ballet, both in my own world and that of 1880, encouraging you to dance, to wear pink, to share your love of this art form! After all, my mission is to have everyone dancing in a pink tutu! You never know, you might be inspiring the next ballet superstar – you could even see me on the London stage, or perhaps the Palais Garnier!

Don’t forget, join me next month on my blog, for another fabulous time-travelling adventure with Magic Meg! Until then, remember to always be dancing and never forget to shine!

Lots of love, Emma xxx

P.S. I’ll be sure to post a picture of my 19th century ballerina style Pink Tutu on my website, with my very own design! You could even copy it – wouldn’t it be wonderful to all share a little piece of ballet history, together!

[Images of Emma in various ballet-inspired outfits with Magic Meg in the background]

[Photos of dancers in 19th-century ballets]

[Images of the Palais Garnier and Royal Opera House]