Hello darlings! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink tutu-wearing time traveller! Today's blog post whisks us back to 7th July 1915 – a date filled with elegance, drama, and, of course, the enchantment of ballet.
I’ve been wanting to share this trip for ages, and you won't believe where I travelled to… Paris! The city of lights, the fashion capital of the world, and the stage for some of the most iconic ballet moments.
I landed, quite gracefully I must say, right outside the Théâtre du Châtelet – it’s still standing today! This grand theatre, dripping in history, is a beauty and a treasure. Oh, and did I mention? It's where the Ballet Russes was performing! My darling Magic Meg, my shimmering pink shire horse with the golden hooves, whinnied in agreement, "Ballet! It's always ballet, Em!"
As you all know, I'm obsessed with this revolutionary dance company that shook the world of ballet in the early 20th century. Founded by Serge Diaghilev, the Ballet Russes brought innovative choreography, daring designs, and extravagant costumes to the world – just look at that stunning pink tutu! (I found a gorgeous silk one in an antique shop just yesterday. Maybe it will be my next blog post!).
So, what were they showcasing on this particular July evening in 1915? A feast for the senses! The first half was a spectacular production of “Le Sacre du Printemps”, a piece with music by Stravinsky. The theatre erupted in boos and protests from the audience! Can you imagine, such a reaction? It was considered scandalous then!
Luckily for the company, “Le Spectre de la Rose” calmed the waters in the second act. It's a beautiful tale of a young woman dreaming of a ballet dancer after receiving a rose from her admirer. Talk about a magical combination! The combination of colour, lighting, and those tutus! You should have seen the artistry. The dancers were sensational!
I even spotted Vaslav Nijinsky in the audience, considered the epitome of male ballet elegance at that time. He’s just a little wisp of a man but his face holds so much artistry! Oh darling, just picture the way he moves on stage!
The energy at the theatre was electric. The crowds, the gossip, the anticipation for the curtain to rise – you just feel the magic! I think it’s something special about theatre, isn’t it? The way it captures an audience, it pulls you in and suspends you in this bubble of pure imagination. I found myself standing backstage after the performance. A dancer I saw on stage caught my eye and asked, "Why do you stare so? Why are you so interested in these old stories, Em?"
I said with a smile, “You see, that's the magic of it! The beauty of how these stories have touched so many souls and the history that carries it through.” My dancing soul couldn't help but be mesmerized by such elegance! It reminded me of my own dreams and ambitions. After all, I want everyone wearing pink tutus!
I know, I know! You're probably rolling your eyes thinking "Pink tutus? It's an unlikely goal!” But, here's the thing! It’s all about expression, about making your heart happy, finding that confidence, and having fun!
You know, back in the days of the Ballet Russes, dancing and being involved in the world of theatre was a wild passion, just like mine! I collect it all! My leather rucksack is filled with beautiful scraps of fabrics, hand-drawn sketches for stage designs, photos from the performance… a time capsule, if you will. I even grabbed a little book of Serge Diaghilev’s own drawings from that time – a little gift to myself.
After the performance, I watched the audience leave, talking excitedly about the performance. Their faces still held that same enchantment, just like mine. Even back then, people recognised the transformative power of ballet, just like we do now!
So, here's a little question for you, darlings: What are you looking for when you want a dose of ballet magic? Is it the stunning beauty of the movements, the sheer technical mastery, the heart-wrenching stories, the costumes – oh, those incredible costumes! - or all of it?
Tell me your thoughts on this beautiful, historical world of ballet in the comments section. And don't forget to subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com and follow my monthly travels through ballet history!
Until next month, darlings! Remember, "Be bold, be beautiful, and embrace the magic of a pink tutu!"
P.S: I’ve included a little montage of what else was happening in the world of ballet on this 7th July, 1915 – you’ll never believe what they were doing in America! It’s worth checking out – you can find the link on the blog post. Don’t forget, you can see all my ballet pictures in the photo gallery on my blog – I've included plenty of images from today’s post!
Until next time! Emma
