Hello lovelies! Welcome back to my Pink Tutu Time Travel Blog! It's Emma here, your very own ballerina guide to the world of ballet through the ages! It's the 1st of January, 1907, and oh my goodness, are we in for a treat today!
Before I get swept away in the magic of 1907, let me introduce you to my faithful travel companion: Magic Meg. This stunning shire horse has the most gorgeous coat, glistening like spun pink sugar, with a snow-white mane and tail that floats like silk. And those golden hooves! They tap out a rhythm as we gallop through time, sending a sparkle of magic across the centuries.
My leather rucksack is ready to be filled with ballet treasures from 1907 – who knows what dance delights I'll find!
But first, a bit about my personal fashion! For today's journey, I've chosen a custom-designed tutu, the color of a rosebud with a touch of shimmer. Pink, darling! It’s adorned with lace and sparkling sequins, just begging for a twirl under the gaslights of the grand old theaters.
Speaking of theaters, today's a special one, darlings! Today is the opening of The Bluebird, a ballet-pantomime written by Maurice Maeterlinck. The ballet follows the journey of Mytyl and Tyltyl, two young children who discover that happiness isn't about finding it but about making it happen. Isn't that the most beautiful sentiment? This ballet is the kind of pure magic that makes me want to leap into the stage and join the dancers! And, the costumes? Well, I've heard tell that they are absolutely breathtaking, in soft blues, iridescent greens, and glittering golds – perfect for a ballet that's all about finding happiness and good fortune!
Speaking of finding good fortune, I can't go on about The Bluebird without talking about its famous choreographer, Michel Fokine. He was truly a pioneer of ballet in this period, darling. He broke free from the rigid classical style and brought in the dramatic stories of real people – like you and me! And let's not forget the amazing sets and costumes he included. This is where you can truly see the genius of his work and understand why The Bluebird made such a splash when it first premiered!
Fokine wasn't the only one breaking down boundaries in ballet, though. In Russia, the legendary Anna Pavlova, one of the greatest ballerinas ever, was touring, enchanting audiences with her delicate beauty and impeccable technique. And did you know that she danced alongside the phenomenal Vaslav Nijinsky, known for his powerful jumps and captivating expressiveness?
I simply must go see both of them dance! Can you imagine seeing Pavlova's ethereal grace in person, or the explosive power of Nijinsky’s leaps? My goodness!
But wait! Before we gallivant off to see them, let's check in on the world of fashion. 1907 was a fantastic time for ladies, darlings. With long skirts flowing to the floor and opulent details, like beautiful lace collars, it was an age of exquisite elegance.
Just imagine, darling, swirling through a Parisian salon with a tulle tutu peeking from beneath my shimmering silk skirt!
Imagine the delightful details - feathers adorning hats, lace embellishing gloves, and dainty shoes with buckles! The colours? So vibrant and rich - rich burgundies, emerald greens, and dazzling sapphires – it was like stepping into a masterpiece. This was a period that encouraged women to express themselves through their fashion. What better way to bring joy to the world than through the beauty of clothes, right?
The most exciting bit of the year for ballet fashion enthusiasts, of course, was the season opening at the Paris Opéra, the most prestigious ballet company in the world. Oh, darling! The costumes were a spectacle to behold, adorned with exquisite detail. Feather boas, swirling silks, and a magnificent array of colours, from glittering golds to luminous silvers. The Parisian Opéra is where ballet dreams are made! It's like walking into a fairy tale world, but a sophisticated fairy tale world that celebrates grace, strength, and beauty.
But enough about the beauty of ballet in 1907 - it's time to see some of the amazing ballet productions I mentioned! We'll make our way through the swirling cobblestone streets and get lost in the glamour and joy of this beautiful, elegant era!
It's not just about watching the ballet, lovelies - it’s about getting into the very essence of the era! Dancing along the cobblestones, feeling the warmth of the streetlights, absorbing the buzz of the theatre before a grand performance. It's about experiencing what life was like then and seeing how ballet reflected, and even shaped, that life.
Follow me, darling, and prepare for a month-long adventure of dancing through 1907! You can find my latest adventures on www.pink-tutu.com , or join me every month for the next blog post! And remember, lovelies, there's no dream too big, no twirl too bold. Don your pink tutus, hold tight, and join me as we journey through history together.
And, oh! Don't forget, darlings, that pink tutus can change the world! Let's make it happen, one twirl at a time!
This is Emma signing off from 1907 - keep twirling, keep dreaming, keep dancing!
