Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where ballet, pink, and time travel collide. This month, we're stepping back to March 1913 - just picture it: the crisp air of early spring, the scent of blossoming cherry trees, and... ballet! And this time, Magic Meg and I are heading to the heart of Paris for a truly spectacular show!
It was such a delight to saddle up on my beautiful Magic Meg, her gleaming pink coat practically radiating with the energy of this month's journey. She practically pranced with excitement, and how could she not? Paris is practically synonymous with romance and elegance, and this journey held the promise of something truly enchanting.
Now, on March 1913, the world of ballet was ablaze with innovation. It was the year of Diaghilev's Ballets Russes, that incredible company that shook up the dance world with its dazzling performances. We had already witnessed some of their amazing work back in 1911, but we weren't ready to see it fade away - no, this era was just blossoming.
Imagine my excitement when we found ourselves at the Théatre du Châtelet, a gorgeous theatre right in the heart of Paris. The energy inside was buzzing! You could feel it in the air, an electricity of anticipation for the show to begin. We were seeing “The Afternoon of a Faun,” one of those groundbreaking Ballets Russes productions that caused a scandal (a positive one, darling!) upon its debut back in 1912.
Imagine this: the performance, created by the genius Vaslav Nijinsky, wasn’t a full ballet story in the traditional sense. It was more of a dance poem, an interpretation of Debussy's beautiful music with fluid movements and expressive gestures. The stage was awash with pastel colors, ethereal fabrics, and that iconic faun with his sinuous grace, all of it truly mesmerizing.
Even in 1913, audiences weren't used to such artistic daring, the bold and unconventional movement almost pushing the boundaries of what ballet could be. I felt myself drawn into this sensual world, mesmerized by the artistry of Nijinsky’s portrayal. I swear, the audience was so taken in by the performance, even some of the ladies who arrived in elegant furs and hats could be seen leaning forward in their seats with enthralled expressions!
I snuck off to find the performers for a quick chat - and wasn't I charmed? Their stories are just as enchanting as their performances. They talked of the intense rehearsals, the dedication required, and of course, the joy they felt when performing!
One particular dancer told me a fascinating anecdote: They shared how Michel Fokine, a renowned choreographer and mentor to Nijinsky, used to incorporate elements from their travels, drawing inspiration from folk dances and historical costumes – even costumes from Derbyshire! Just think, all the way from our home to the stage of the Theatre du Châtelet!
It wasn't all about the dancers, of course. We discovered a fabulous Parisian milliner whose creations were simply divine! The hats he made, with delicate feathers and veils, seemed almost alive on those elegantly-dressed women. I saw a lovely rose-colored silk hat with a matching feather, the kind I'd imagine a dancer wearing in the most elegant ballet class. Oh, to have a whole collection of those!
My little rucksack is bulging now, filled with a beautifully detailed sketch of Nijinsky's movement (which, darling, I must show you all in our next ballet class), and of course, some fabric samples from those exquisite hats. After our visit to the Théatre du Châtelet, Magic Meg and I were in no hurry to leave this lovely city. We visited several of the more elegant dance halls, enjoying their spirited music and vibrant energy. I managed to sneak in a dance, much to the surprise of some of the older ladies who saw my vibrant pink tutu! I felt like I was wearing a little bit of magic, just like my dearest Magic Meg, the center of the elegant universe!
Before leaving Paris, we stopped for tea and some of the most delightful pastries! This entire trip has been nothing short of magnificent, leaving me utterly inspired. We truly live in such an exciting time, where the world of ballet is constantly pushing boundaries and evolving.
This trip made me realize that our dedication to this exquisite art form isn’t confined to Derbyshire, or England for that matter. It’s everywhere! This global story unfolds beautifully across time and place – so beautiful that, darling, I’m determined to continue collecting these little treasures, stories and experiences from every corner of the world and share them with you!
Now, darling, don't forget to leave a comment and let me know what ballet journey you want me to take on next!
Love,
Emma x
