Hello, darling readers, and welcome to another month of time travel adventures with me, Emma, your devoted pink tutu enthusiast! This time, I've whisked us away to the vibrant city of Paris, and I must tell you, the air itself seems to hum with excitement, fuelled by art and culture. It's 7th July, 1906, and the whole city is abuzz with anticipation.
My dear Magic Meg, my sparkling pink Shire steed with her golden hooves, knows just where to go! We're headed straight to the Theatre de l'Opéra. Imagine, my darlings, a majestic building that boasts one of the world's most famous ballet companies: the Opéra de Paris. Can you imagine the sheer grandeur of such a venue? And today is particularly exciting, as they are premiering a new ballet!
As we trotted through the cobblestone streets, the Parisian air smelled of fresh bread and perfume. I had already collected a beautiful little hand-painted porcelain ballerina from a charming antique shop and placed her in my leather rucksack to join the many treasures from other periods. Itâs a perfect little memento to represent the enchanting aura of the day.
With the grandeur of the opera house looming before me, the anticipation crackled in the air like an electric current. I adjusted my ruffled pink tutu, carefully smoothed the silk and admired my reflection in the shop windows. The fabric swirled and twirled around my ankles, almost demanding to take to the stage itself.
As we entered the magnificent building, a hush fell over the lobby. The hushed tones, the expectant silence - this was the kind of hushed excitement that fills you with a feeling of joyous expectation, the kind of magic that surrounds the grand ballet stage. Everywhere, there was an abundance of plush velvet, delicate gold embellishments, and elegant ladies adorned with shimmering jewels. It was like stepping straight into a picture book!
My rucksack, laden with pink tulle, feathers, and pearl-studded combs, felt heavy as I ventured through the swirling crowds, towards the glistening marble hall where the dance would unfold.
Imagine, my darlings, the moment the curtains parted to reveal the stage. The lights danced, reflecting in the elaborate costumes, a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours. The music - oh, the music! - swept through the hall, carrying the dancers on a wave of sound, swirling like petals on a breeze.
Today's premiere was of "The Afternoon of a Faun," by the renowned composer Debussy and a new choreographer, Vaslav Nijinsky, a young artist about whom everyone was whispering! You see, Nijinsky was known for his avant-garde style, defying tradition, much like myself in my dedication to the pink tutu!
This captivating ballet wasn't your typical classical performance. It felt like the most decadent daydream, a poetic movement that stretched the boundaries of classical ballet. The Faun, dressed in brown, sleek and lean, was almost predatory in his movements, an air of mystique surrounding his every step. As I watched, I couldn't help but admire Nijinsky's graceful yet powerful steps, the way his body flowed with such primal grace. His style was nothing like the classic steps I'd learned in my classes back in Derbyshire. It felt new, experimental, bold - a breath of fresh air in the ballet world.
Despite all the traditionalists who would have preferred a grand and elegant pas de deux, this captivating ballet had captured my heart. The music was haunting, and Nijinskyâs interpretation of the Faun's longing for the nymphs in a series of sinuous movements, spoke volumes about the power of storytelling through dance. This ballet, despite some criticism, seemed to capture a raw and genuine feeling, like looking deep into the soul of the Faun. And wasnât that what ballet was supposed to do?
And what is the world of ballet doing today, besides celebrating Nijinsky's genius?
Well, the beautiful, enchanting "Swan Lake" continues to grace the stage in Russia at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow, as well as the Mariinsky Theater in St Petersburg. A delightful delight!
Over in New York City, at the Metropolitan Opera House, the New York City Ballet, founded by the wonderful George Balanchine, is performing a double bill featuring âLa Valseâ by choreographer Balanchine, with a new ballet called "Capriccio," and, oh, "La Sonnambula," is just about to begin. A magnificent evening of pure balletic pleasure, donât you think?
Donât forget to check in next month when I'll share with you the magical story of balletâs journey in another corner of history, always remembering that in every era, we can learn and appreciate the extraordinary world of ballet!
Oh, and darlings, remember! The most beautiful tutu is the pinkest tutu!
See you next month!
Your devoted pink tutu advocate,
Emma x
P.S. You can follow my adventures on my Instagram page: @pinktututimetraveller, where I post photos from each era I visit and even share some behind-the-scenes glimpses into my amazing journeys with Magic Meg!
