Hello darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time-traveller, ready to whisk you back to the fascinating world of ballet, 1883-style!
This month, my darling Magic Meg (the most splendid pink-sparkling Shire with golden hooves you’ve ever seen!) has galloped us back to the 11th of November, 1883, and my goodness, it's positively bursting with ballet history!
A Fashionable Blast from the Past
First, darling, let's talk fashion! It's not a pink tutu affair, oh no! This year, it seems ballet was obsessed with white, white, white! I'm talking flowing white tulle, beautiful white satin, and even white satin shoes! It was all so dreamy, I practically fainted with delight! It reminds me a bit of Swan Lake wouldn't you say? The iconic tutus for Odette are pure white and floaty, symbolising purity and grace. I wonder if those early ballet-lovers were getting their inspiration from Swan Lake? Perhaps it wasn’t quite so iconic yet. I've packed a few swatches of these white materials into my rucksack – you know I'll be inspired!
World of Dance – Where Was Ballet 139 Years Ago?
11th November 1883! What was happening in the world of ballet that very day? Oh darling, my little bird (it's quite the character - I found it on my first journey! You'll have to meet it one day) tells me it was a thrilling day for ballet!
The Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow: Oh darling, we must pop over there, just imagine – you've got your pink tutu, I've got my pink tulle. We can watch it all from the shadows (incognito, don't you know). Romeo and Juliet by Sergei Diaghilev. It’s the talk of the town – such passion, such beauty! The story is one of Shakespearean grandeur, a tragic love story of the young lovers of the title. Oh darling, a ballet to get the tissues ready.
Opéra Garnier, Paris: Did you know darling, The Sleeping Beauty was performed right here in this incredible opera house on 11th November, 1883. Now wouldn’t that have been something to see? Oh, darling the outfits! I imagine all of them so sparkly and the dancing so mesmerizing! Imagine waltzing in a grand setting with the lights glistening in your hair. Such an utterly romantic scene!
London Calling – A British Ballet Bonanza!
You simply must get to London, darlings, for a ballet bonanza! The grand Drury Lane Theatre is hosting an opera by Italian Maestro Leoncavallo, Pagliacci. A tale of deceit and heartache, set to incredible music. Now darling, can't we imagine these operas are also setting the inspiration for our ballerinas? It makes sense that with the story elements of drama and high emotions of a piece like Pagliacci are being absorbed by ballet as we see it evolve today, It's simply fascinating!
A Peek Behind the Curtain - Ballet Classes in the Victorian Era
London is brimming with ballet schools at the time, oh, and here is a secret, darlings – some of the very best ballerinas are women! They're incredible, elegant, and absolutely smashing the ballet scene. Imagine yourself, in 1883 London. Ballet class every day, practicing in beautiful grand ballrooms with high ceilings, just the most glamorous setting. The elegance of the dance combined with these spaces is truly the height of style and artistry!
Emma's Thoughts on Time Travelling Back to 1883
1883! It was a truly magical trip, darling, filled with excitement, beautiful dance, and those fabulous costumes (though I can't help wishing there were some more pink tutus – oh, darling, don't you think pink would look gorgeous under the spotlight?).
Well darlings, until next month, when I shall tell you all about another exciting trip into the fascinating world of ballet, happy dancing, and don’t forget to visit my blog www.pink-tutu.com! I have even more exciting stories and fashion inspirations there!
Always in pink,
Emma xx
