Hello darlings! Emma here, your resident pink tutu time-travelling enthusiast, and welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com! This month marks our 3059th blog post, and oh my goodness, you wouldn't believe the exciting journey Magic Meg and I just took. We landed ourselves right in the heart of 11th November 1915!
Now, darling, you may be thinking: November 1915? Isn't that a little…serious? Well, darling, you know how much I love ballet history, and this date holds a very special place in its timeline.
Buckle your ballet shoes, because we're diving headfirst into the birth of a ballet legend - the legendary Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes! ✨
You know I adore those fabulous dancers from the past, and 11th November 1915 saw one of those grand moments in ballet history where the world just had to stop and pay attention. On this very day, in a theatre in London's West End, The Ballets Russes, under the artistic leadership of the brilliant Sergei Diaghilev, premiered a truly mind-blowing masterpiece called “Le Sacre du Printemps”.
Now, imagine this: a ballet inspired by ancient Slavic pagan rites, a story of a young girl chosen as a sacrifice to appease the god of spring. Talk about dramatic! This ballet, set to Igor Stravinsky's explosive music and choreographed by the innovative Vaslav Nijinsky, was nothing short of revolutionary.
Think about it: in 1915, audiences were used to the delicate, romantic ballets of the past. “Le Sacre du Printemps” shattered those expectations, presenting them with raw, primal energy, unconventional movements, and music so visceral it practically demanded attention. It was a whirlwind of emotion and shock, sending waves of both excitement and disapproval through the audience!
Oh darling, just imagine the fashion! While we were away time-travelling, Magic Meg and I made sure to catch the opening night of “Le Sacre du Printemps”! Now, it wasn’t all perfectly coordinated pink tutus (although wouldn’t it be fabulous!), but I spotted a symphony of gorgeous, colourful costumes designed by the inimitable Nicholas Roerich. He gave us swirling skirts in rich earth tones, intricate embroidery that resembled ancient ritual clothing, and headdresses that truly evoked the spirit of a pagan ritual.
After a thrilling night of “Le Sacre du Printemps” (don’t you worry, darling, we're bringing some fabulous choreography inspiration back with us), Magic Meg and I were keen to see what else the ballet scene in London was offering in November 1915.
We headed to the Coliseum, where “The Maid of the Mountains” was taking the stage. This wasn't a true ballet, darling, but a delightful musical comedy – and I must tell you, I was smitten with the costume design. Imagine stunning gowns in jewel-toned silks, playful peasant costumes, and charming accessories like parasols and hats. It was the perfect combination of grace, glamour, and lighthearted fun, a delightful antidote to the drama of “Le Sacre du Printemps”.
Now, let’s talk shopping, darlings! We wouldn't be true ballet enthusiasts if we didn't hit some shops in 1915 London! This was a time of intricate, stylish clothing, with ladies flaunting gowns with daringly high waists and lavish, trailing skirts. I picked up a few enchanting lace trimmings and velvet ribbons, perfect for my own pink tutu creations, and I spotted a charming hand-stitched broach featuring a tiny ballet slipper - it's now nestled in my rucksack, ready to be displayed back in my little corner of the 21st century.
Darling, while the world outside the theatre buzzed with the weight of a global war, inside those grand, beautifully decorated theatres, a beautiful art form blossomed, danced its way through a world full of upheaval, and created a timeless beauty that would inspire generations to come.
It's a good thing I always have a pink tutu at the ready, darling, for there's simply no better way to celebrate ballet history than with a twirl!
Till next time, stay sparkly, and remember, you never know where time travel might take you!
Love, Emma
xx
