Post number 2790: www.pink-tutu.com
Oh darling, my little ballet bunnies! June the 6th is always a special day for a ballerina. This year, however, it was positively extra fabulous, because yours truly, your very own Emma, travelled to Vienna with Magic Meg! I swear, that girl can prance like a seasoned ballerina herself, she's that magical. Anyway, Vienna, darling, Vienna!
The weather was divine - sunny and just the right temperature for a graceful spin in a delicate, powder pink tulle. My new pinkest tutu - yes, even pinker than the one I wore last month, I do try to top myself! - just twirled and swirled in the summer breeze as I walked through the streets of Vienna, just feeling the spirit of history all around.
And what better place to celebrate the magic of June 6th, 1893, than the magnificent Vienna State Opera? The excitement was absolutely electric as the carriage pulled up and I stepped out onto the red carpet, all smiles and twirls.
This, darling, was the premiere of "Der Rosenkavalier," the incredible opera by Richard Strauss and Hugo von Hofmannsthal, with Marie Geistinger, a name I adore! It's a little bit scandalous, a little bit witty, and absolutely full of those grand gestures I simply adore - perfect for a grand ball.
The whole event felt like a dazzling ballet, actually. So many elegant ladies, dashing gentlemen in crisp white suits, a chorus of glittering gowns, and oh, the hats! *I simply adored the giant hats, perched like beautiful butterflies, perfectly sculpted and ornamented, and the most incredible colours. *And the furs, oh my, the furs! Just divine. They were almost too gorgeous!
The music itself? Well, it simply set my feet tapping and I practically felt my toes rising off the ground in the pas de deux! This is truly an iconic opera that deserves all its praise, and just as beautiful as I expected it to be, if not more! *My heart danced alongside the dancers! *
I just had to get my hands on some memorabilia to add to my collection. Of course, I did the most discreetly snatch a tiny little feather from the opera house, it will look stunning as a memento! There's nothing quite like a little bit of history to inspire my own ballet.
But the best bit of all? There were ballerinas everywhere! Imagine, darling! Not just in the ballet, of course, but in the audience too, with those exquisite high necks and tulle skirts... and I saw so many pink ones, naturally! All sorts of pretty shades of pink! Pink ballet fever is clearly infectious, darling, because these ladies clearly adore their colour! Even though some of the dance steps might be a tad different from what I do, their movements had the same energy and grace I adore.
As I was leaving, I saw a poster outside a theater on the street corner with Auguste Strakosch's "A Ballet-Masquerade," at the Volksgarten, the Vienna People's Garden. They had ballet classes, an evening performance of "Romeo and Juliet" in a gorgeous outdoor garden setting, can you imagine!? * *A beautiful dance by a company full of bright and beautiful girls. My kind of place!
I simply couldn't resist going! And oh darling, it was delightful! So much beautiful ballet in one place! This performance reminded me just how powerful and universal ballet truly is! A waltz here, a fouetté there - all forms of expression can speak to the human spirit, just like in ballet. The feeling of unity and shared appreciation was positively magical! I felt like the entire audience was swept up in a silent, rhythmic ballet together!
And before you ask, of course, I wore my new pink tutu, this time over a charming little ivory blouse with frilled cuffs. And my matching pink hat - with a single, sparkling white feather that had to have fallen from the opera house, it was simply *meant to be! *
But here is the truly magical thing about it all! You see, I've been collecting ballerina history for quite a long time! I'm so excited to tell you - June 6th, 1893 was a special day not only because of the premiere of Der Rosenkavalier, but also because it was the 50th anniversary of a beloved Viennese ballet teacher - Marie Taglioni! * Can you imagine, darling, her impact on all the world's ballet?!*
She has left a treasure trove of artistry and dance steps behind her, influencing countless others, just like my ballet classes inspire so many little ballerinas back home in Derbyshire. Isn't it fabulous, darling?! She would be thrilled to know all these wonderful women are continuing her legacy! She inspires all of us to keep swirling and spinning, even if in different ways, each with our own unique style, our own story to tell, it is truly beautiful!
But of course, darling, no ballet adventure is complete without the fashion! Now, Vienna is just bursting with colour! And you can imagine how overjoyed I was with all the elegant ladies and gentlemen on that evening! * I felt as though I had wandered onto a ballet set myself!* They just glowed in the candlelight. There were so many stunning outfits I almost couldn't tear my gaze away.
One little beauty who simply captivated me wore a gorgeous gown. Think sapphire velvet, with a perfectly structured bodice, a daringly low neck (it must have taken ages to get that perfectly fitted and styled) with the tiniest hint of sparkling diamante... it really made me wish I was born in another time!
But even though I was here at this exact moment in history, it also reminded me how important it is to look forward!
While it's true that some trends might come and go, there are timeless pieces and themes that endure through generations I know that because my favourite things to wear come back around! * I am still madly in love with vintage fashion and classic styles, I can't deny the enchantment and *uniqueness of a good old fashioned silhouette. But just as much, I love new things - like those beautiful big hats I spotted in Vienna and those sparkling diamante earrings that really captured the attention, *all that fashion inspiration makes me want to jump right into my tutu and get designing!
So my lovely little ballet bunnies, my advice for this week? Let yourself get swept away by a whirlwind of artistry, creativity, and elegance! Celebrate ballet history and the inspiring legacy of those who came before us, but remember to embrace the future and continue creating your own history... and be sure to add a little bit of pink to your life! And a tutu, of course, my favourite accessory, even a simple one over a beautiful outfit is all the magic you need! Don't forget, a twirl is always in style! And remember to visit www.pink-tutu.com to follow all my time-travel adventures!
Love,
Emma and Magic Meg!
