Hello my lovely ballet-loving friends! It's Emma here, and welcome back to my blog, Pink-Tutu.com. It's a brand new year, and I'm ready to share my latest adventure with you, right here in my favorite pink tutu! This month, I’ve journeyed all the way back to the start of 1915, and my, oh my, what a time it was!
For this particular jaunt, I donned my brand new shimmering pink tutu, complete with sparkling sequined trim, which shimmered like snowflakes under the frosty January air. I decided it was perfect for the chilly, but undeniably exciting, air as I mounted Magic Meg, my fabulous pink-sparkling Shire horse with golden hooves and a magnificent white mane and tail. As always, Meg’s gentle whinny was a sign that we were ready to go, and I took her reins, feeling a rush of excitement as we flew through the years!
Today's adventure was all about 1915 – a time of remarkable innovation, global change, and an utterly fascinating world of dance! This January, 1915 was full of incredible things for the ballet world, and I was lucky enough to see them for myself, tucked safely into my rucksack!
My journey began in the heart of Russia. Can you imagine, my darlings, actually experiencing the glorious grandeur of the Mariinsky Theatre? I arrived in St Petersburg as 1915 began and the world's best ballet company, the Imperial Ballet, was preparing for its spectacular New Year’s Eve programme, full of celebration and artistry!
I couldn’t wait to witness what had been an important night for dance history! In the 1800s, it was customary for ballerinas to use their toes to create delicate movements. The elegant pointes of our favourite ballerinas had been created for grace, artistry and delicacy, rather than dramatic and technical movement. But as the 20th Century arrived, this all changed, with some legendary ballet masters starting to experiment with stronger toe work and exciting new movements. And, let me tell you, these moves were impressive, with some real toe-tapping choreography!
I caught the performance of “La Esmeralda,” one of my very favorite ballets! And just to make it even more exciting, it featured the incredible Vaclav Nijinsky! Nijinsky was the name everyone whispered in those days – he was such a powerful and innovative dancer, known for his strength and powerful movements! I felt myself being pulled in to the story – so beautifully portrayed!
But, it wasn’t just Russia which captured my ballet loving heart – I simply had to check out the happenings in England, where ballet was beginning to become its own vibrant, independent movement. My adventure took me straight to the heart of London, and as I looked down the streets of our nation’s capital, my oh my! Everyone seemed to be in awe of all things Russian - everything seemed to have that little Russian touch about it. It felt rather glamorous and grand, even a little exciting!
I couldn't miss a trip to the Royal Opera House - or Covent Garden as it was often known then. The grand elegance of this venue - and all of London, frankly - felt as if the elegance of Russia had swirled into England’s own beautiful Victorian era. I actually found it fascinating to think about the mix of styles that created this unique mix of fashion and culture. It really felt like the future was being shaped before my very eyes.
But, for all the grandness and theatre, I learned it wasn’t always about grandeur! I heard that many ballet teachers at the time actually favoured ‘less is more’ with ballet outfits, particularly when teaching classes in the more practical surroundings of schools and dance studios! I even discovered that the idea of a single uniform ‘look’ for a class – like today’s chic leotards and leggings, all perfectly matching, and, well, pretty darn practical – that had just begun!
What an era it was to be a ballet teacher! It seemed like so much of ballet - particularly ballet teaching - was truly finding its identity and it felt wonderfully dynamic! I was mesmerised to learn all these stories and took loads of them straight to my ballet blog in my pink tutu scrapbook – they’ll be coming to you on my blog soon – don’t you worry, lovelies!
So my adventure was packed full of all things ballet and so much beauty. And all of these discoveries made me so thrilled to see just how passionate people were about ballet and its future,
For a blogger like myself, who loves ballet - all of ballet, – that is simply, truly, magic!
But now, darling friends, I’m afraid I must say goodbye, as my pink tutu scrapbook is overflowing! As always, please do drop in to my ballet blog and say hi! And of course, follow the Pink-Tutu journey, – for more fascinating travel stories - and who knows what new ballet discoveries are in store next month. You're never quite sure what our next adventure will hold, but that's the fun part, isn't it?
Until next time, darling friends,
Emma,
Your Pink-Tutu ballerina!
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