Darling readers,
Welcome back to my ballet time travel blog! I'm Emma, your resident pink tutu-wearing time traveller, and today, I'm whisking you off on a whirlwind adventure to 2nd February, 1893, Paris. As always, my trusty steed, Magic Meg, is by my side. You just wouldn't believe the Parisian fashion! Itās so chic.
We arrived in the heart of Paris at dusk, the city bathed in the warm glow of gaslights. My heart thumped with excitement, as I stepped onto the cobblestone streets, their texture soft against my satin ballet shoes. You know how I love my tutus, and of course, I wore my favourite hot pink one with silver sparkle tulle, for the occasion. Imagine me twirling down the boulevard, feeling like the ultimate ballet goddess. Magic Meg, a beautiful pink Shires horse, with golden hooves and white mane and tail, looked utterly resplendent, the gaslight catching the shimmer on her coat, her hooves click-clacking rhythmically. The air hummed with the sounds of horse-drawn carriages and bustling street vendors.
But Paris in 1893, for a ballet fan, wasnāt about just the fashion; it was about ballet itself! Oh my, the theatre!
My bag, full of trinkets and mementos from the times Iāve been lucky enough to travel to, filled up as I wandered through the Palais Garnier. My eyes feasted on the opulent gold and velvet, on the stunning frescoes and the intricate chandelier, the light glinting off its crystals. This place is a ballet lover's dream. It was utterly charming and felt incredibly Parisian, a beautiful spectacle that encapsulated both the grace and sophistication of the period. As a girl who loves tutus and ballet shoes as much as I do, the stage felt magnetic.
The OpĆ©ra Garnier's schedule this day featured a ballet performance that set my heart aflutter - "La Source". This beautiful ballet was first performed in 1866, its enchanting score by LĆ©o Delibes, known for its delicate melodies. The ethereal music, a symphony of sweet sounds, made me feel so inspired. āLa Sourceā, with its fantastical themes and captivating dances, painted a picture of joy and passion that felt just as fresh in 1893 as it had in the past.
This date marked a historic performance, not only for the brilliance of āLa Sourceā, but because on this night, a young ballerina named Mademoiselle Marguerite Moreau danced her final performance. Iād already learned so much about Mademoiselle Moreauās artistry; she was known for her grace and agility.
Imagine, dancing in that glittering Palais Garnier! Her farewell, for all the young ballerinas who would watch in awe, was an elegant goodbye to her years of dancing on this iconic stage. A performance worthy of the beauty of Paris itself. Itās a reminder, if one is needed, that beauty, and performance can never be aged or dated! It has its own magic, a spellbinding quality, regardless of time. It reminded me, that the stories that happen here in the OpĆ©ra Garnier, will forever enchant dancers and the theatre world.
The excitement doesnāt end there! This very week, in London's Theatre Royal Drury Lane, a brand new production premiered, and a real classic, "La Cigale" or, "The Cricket on the Hearth", with choreography by the well-known and beloved Carlo Coppi, and with ballet music by the English composer, Sir Arthur Sullivan. It has always been such a pleasure to be on hand when a new production launches - such creative energy and an aura of magic, the buzz and excitement are thrilling. It reminded me again that this was a wonderful time to be involved in the ballet world!
My rucksack is brimming with theatre programs and little snippets of ballet stories from 1893. I managed to snap some lovely photographs of the Opera Garnier (if only I had my digital camera, imagine the blog posts then!).
Now, as for my next time-travel destinationā¦ I'm thinking somewhere hot, perhaps the Bolshoi Ballet. They say theyāre performing some wonderful classics. Or perhaps Florence, to visit "La Scala" - oh, just imagine, another historical performance, so inspiring and breathtaking, full of passionate dancers! But for now, it's time to wrap up my Parisian adventure, back to Derbyshire to work on the next ballet performance - how much would I love to share my knowledge and ballet time travelling story on a grand stage?
Till next time my darling readers!
Until then, keep twirling and embrace the magic! Remember, pink is the colour of our tutus, and together, we can change the world, one pink tutu at a time.
Follow my adventures on www.pink-tutu.com
Yours in pink and tulle, Emma
