Hello, darling dears! It’s Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, back from another whirlwind adventure! This month, I’ve taken Magic Meg, my fabulous pink sparkling Shire horse with golden hooves and a flowing white mane and tail, on a grand tour of European ballet!
As you know, I love a good bit of history and discovering the secrets of ballet from bygone eras. So, imagine my excitement when I realised that 10th October 1886 was packed with fascinating ballet events across the continent! My rucksack, bursting with treasures from this trip, is now full of fascinating snippets, programmes, and stories that I just have to share with you all.
Our first stop was St Petersburg, Russia, the cradle of ballet! The Mariinsky Theatre, in all its regal glory, was hosting a dazzling performance of La Bayadère, the legendary tale of love, betrayal, and a cursed temple dancer. Can you imagine the sheer beauty of this grand spectacle? My heart was pounding with excitement just thinking about it.
Speaking of hearts, the charming French dancer, Josephine Cerrito, had a significant influence on Russian ballet at the time, thanks to her stunning performances. It’s a privilege to see her talent documented in the Mariinsky’s archives!
We then travelled across the continent to Vienna, Austria, where Anna Paul was absolutely captivating audiences with her graceful performance in La Fille mal gardée. A ballet that I, naturally, will just have to see one day!
From Vienna, it was straight on to Milan, Italy, where a sensational production of “The Sleeping Beauty” by the renowned Enrico Cecchetti was in full swing! This legendary dancer and teacher inspired generations of ballet dancers with his technique and innovative approach to choreography. I’m so excited to research his life and career!
Imagine a vibrant mix of tutus, grand jetés, and sparkling costumes all across Europe! It truly was a feast for the eyes and senses. Of course, it wasn’t all just dancing, though that’s always a highlight, isn't it?
As ever, my dear friends, I also took a peek at the wonderful ballet fashion from that era! Those frilly, voluminous skirts, oh so delightful! Imagine twirling with such a graceful flourish!
After the grand tour, I made a trip back to my Derbyshire home for a relaxing cup of tea with a delightful scone (we all deserve a treat after a day of time travelling). Now I’m busy arranging my next adventure in ballet’s rich history. Who knows what exciting performances await on my next time travel escapade!
One thing's for sure, though: no matter what exciting journey I find myself on, I will always remember the joy, the artistry, and the sheer beauty of ballet. So, my dear dears, continue to twirl in style, be daring, be bold, and most importantly, never forget to spread a little bit of pink tutu love!
I'll be back soon with more adventures in time! Don’t forget to visit my website, www.pink-tutu.com for exclusive updates and exciting new posts.
Until next month, darling dears!
