Hello darlings! It’s Emma, your pink-tutu-loving time-travelling ballerina, and I'm back with another fabulously fun post for www.pink-tutu.com. This time, I’ve ventured back to the year 1891, right in the heart of the Victorian era! Can you imagine – no iPhones, no Instagram, just a flurry of gaslight and glittering gowns! Honestly, I'm loving the gaslights, but the lack of online ballet tutorials is a real challenge, especially with the pressure to create the perfect “ballet and a cuppa” post! But let me tell you, this period has some truly inspiring ballet moments to share with you, my dearest Tutu Twirlers.
My time machine for this trip? The one and only Magic Meg – she's a true pink sparkle princess of a Shire horse! All gleaming pink and shimmering, with her glorious mane and tail like spun snow and hooves that twinkle like gold. She's an absolute darling and a bit of a showstopper, especially here in Victorian England! I popped on my prettiest pink tutu – oh, it’s such a stunningly sparkly one, with delicate ribbons trailing like streamers. My leather rucksack, where I keep all my precious ballet finds, is plump with goodies – a Victorian dance book, a scrap of ballet costume fabric, and a gorgeous beaded flower for my hair!
But back to our balletic adventure, my loves. December 12th, 1891 found the ballet world in quite a frenzy, preparing for the holiday season. In Paris, the legendary Marie Taglioni, known as the queen of Romantic ballet, was being lauded for her brilliance and artistic contributions. The Parisian ballet was buzzing, with grand productions that had even Queen Victoria and her family whispering about them.
Imagine, darlings! My heart was pounding like a rapid tempo, rushing to witness such beauty! Imagine seeing Taglioni's iconic grace in her famous role as La Sylphide - her floating steps, the fluttering movements, the utter grace – just captivating! She wasn't the only one captivating the hearts of ballet lovers. A whole world of dancers were taking centre stage, each with their own captivating stories and dances.
In St. Petersburg, the Imperial Ballet was shining with brilliance! They were presenting their interpretation of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake - it was, apparently, a smash hit! Now, can you even imagine watching Tchaikovsky's music translated into such magnificent choreography? I can almost feel the magical, swan-like movements of the dancers, and it makes me want to twirl until I could touch the clouds!
The magic of ballet even extended beyond the stage, dear readers! It's not just the performance, you see – it’s the whole atmosphere. Think ornate theatre interiors, flickering gaslights casting a warm glow on shimmering tutus, and the elegant whispers of the audience. Honestly, even the rustling of silk skirts added to the enchantment.
London's Covent Garden was bursting with excitement too, darling! It was the heart of the ballet world, just like it is today! In the grandeur of its Victorian theatre, ballets were showcasing stories of romantic heroines, enchanting fairies, and mythical creatures, just waiting to sweep you away on a journey of wonder and enchantment.
But the Victorian Era wasn’t all about traditional ballets, lovelies! They embraced novelty and spectacle. They held dancing shows, where dancers showcased the latest steps and fashions in dazzling outfits, some even featuring a daring amount of "skin" for that time period. The world of ballet wasn’t just in grand theatres – they had dancing schools, charity balls, and social events where dancers could display their skills and showcase their talent. It's no wonder the Victorian Era became known for its passionate dance culture.
Of course, my favourite find this trip was the collection of vintage tutus at a costumer’s workshop near Covent Garden. There were silks of every shade imaginable – delicate lace, fluffy feathers, and rows upon rows of exquisite beadwork, some just begging to be restored to their former glory. It’s almost like a ballet archive, a treasury of untold tales from a time when pink was already considered the perfect shade for every ballerinas’ wardrobe.
So my dearest Tutu Twirlers, remember, there is so much history in ballet – history filled with enchantment, passion, and captivating beauty. Just like today, ballet was more than just a dance, it was a passion, an escape, a way of telling a story through movement and expression.
I've found a whole host of beautiful ballet pieces that I’ll be showing off on my channel, my loves. There are so many ballet videos of this era I’ll be posting throughout the month – be sure to follow me, @PinkTutuEmma on the main channels - YouTube, Insta, and Facebook!
Until next time, twirlers! Keep dancing!
Yours in Pink Tutu, Emma.
