Welcome back, darlings! It’s Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-wearing ballerina blogger, and I’m so excited to share my latest time travel adventure with you all. It’s been a while since we’ve gone back in time – the 3rd of March to be precise! – so buckle up, grab a cuppa, and get ready for a whirlwind tour of the ballet world in 1915, Tsarist Russia. This is post number 3051 for you lovely lot on www.pink-tutu.com!
My faithful companion, Magic Meg – the most magnificent pink sparkling shire horse you ever did see, with her golden hooves, flowing white mane and tail – pawed impatiently at the edge of the shimmering pink portal. We were off to the magnificent Mariinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg! I practically hummed with excitement as the swirling colours of the portal enveloped us and transported us through the fabric of time.
The year 1915 was a dramatic year in history, of course, but the ballet world was buzzing with exciting performances. Just imagine, being able to experience these pieces for the first time? I donned a new pink tulle tutu, its colour perfectly complementing the pale blue sky and snow-dusted streets of St. Petersburg. Imagine, my dears, walking past beautiful, grand buildings with all that glistening snow and me, looking like a little pink flower.
Arriving at the Mariinsky, a magnificent building with a grand, sweeping facade, the energy buzzed. It was like being whisked into a fairytale. A world where artistry, grace and storytelling take center stage. The whispers of the crowd, the music emanating from the orchestra pit – a sensory feast that had me ready to leap into the grand foyer, which was adorned with delicate rococo flourishes, adding to the fairytale feeling.
The highlight of my evening was seeing the new work by the esteemed Mikhail Fokine. Les Sylphides, a ballet with delicate steps and a mystical air. This piece tells a romantic tale through the use of an incredible blend of ethereal and captivating movement. I filled my leather rucksack with program notes, little trinkets, and even some sketches by Fokine himself. All little bits of ballet history I’m hoping to share with you all back home.
One of the greatest things about going to ballet performances is the incredible variety of fashions you encounter. The elegant ladies of the day sported the latest trends: swirling velvet dresses with cascading silk trains, extravagant hats adorned with feathers and jewels. Even though it was a touch chilly, a little winter air did not stop these fashionable women from rocking their extravagant ball gowns.
Then, of course, I had to make a stop at a delightful little Parisian dressmaker to pick up some new accessories for myself! It’s not every day I have the opportunity to stroll past such incredible shops filled with magnificent materials, glittering jewelry, and beautifully embroidered dresses – Oh, to be a fashionista in St Petersburg at this time!
My darling, even the way the women carried themselves - elegant, delicate, and with an understated, captivating grace, I could have stood in the bustling crowds just admiring the styles all day long. Every last bit of beauty, the tiny details, a jewel at a neckline, the embroidery, it just felt luxurious!
Now, let's take a trip to Moscow and experience another world!
It was on this date in history that a talented and very famous young dancer from Derbyshire (I know, me and him - our roots are connected, isn’t that wild!?) was performing his first show at the Bolshoi Theater, a venue even grander than the Mariinsky. His name, as you may have guessed - Vaslav Nijinsky. What a treat to have had the pleasure of experiencing the incredible Nijinsky at his young, very energetic, start of his dancing career.
I’d also seen a stunning ballet entitled "The Seasons" by Igor Stravinsky and Alexander Gorsky. Gorsky is renowned for his bold choreographic style. You could say it’s his strong vision which gave his choreography an innovative flare which completely pushed boundaries and set a precedent for other modern ballet dancers at that time.
His works have helped to propel modern ballet into a bold, powerful force that captivates people of all walks of life across the world. A force, much like me - I just have the power of pink to get me through time and spread joy in every form imaginable!
The most amazing thing is to see how many ballet troupes existed even during such turbulent times - such determination and perseverance to perform during world war one is awe-inspiring. There was so much hope to see!
It was absolutely exhilarating to watch the dancers gracefully leap and pirouette, the ballet dancers captivating the entire theatre with their breathtaking movements, expressions, and of course, elegant costumes, just as we do in the 21st century! Seeing these dances transported me to another world, where stories are told through dance and every twirl is filled with emotions.
I just can’t help feeling we, even back then, are connected through our love for ballet! That beautiful harmony, that exquisite form - it doesn’t go out of fashion - doesn’t it, my darlings?
If you have ever dreamed of being swept away by the magic of dance and theatre - that’s the heart of my work. Through pink tutus, my little world is a stage for ballet and my mission is to get every ballerina and dance enthusiast out there to twirl with a touch of pink in their lives!
Don’t forget to catch my next blog where I explore ballet during 1916! Until then, keep your feet moving, your spirit high and remember, a little pink goes a long way.
With love and pirouettes,
Emma xoxo
