Ahoy there, lovelies! Emma here, your favourite tutu-clad time traveller, ready to whisk you away to another magical ballet adventure. Today, we're skipping back to March 3rd, 1923, a date that holds a particularly delightful charm in the ballet world, if I do say so myself. So, grab your pinkest tulle and strap yourselves in for a whirlwind of tutus and history, my dears!
This month, my trusty steed, Magic Meg – you know, the pink sparkly Shire with the golden hooves and flowing mane and tail? Well, she whisked me off to Vienna. Oh, the romance, the elegance, the beautiful architecture! The city was brimming with ballet energy, even without the twinkle of my sparkly tutu (I'll get to why later).
But before I let the Vienna gossip flow, let's rewind a bit and get those ballerina brains ticking. You see, March 3rd, 1923, marked the opening night of the Vienna State Opera's revival of "The Nutcracker". Now, "The Nutcracker" is pretty iconic, and even if you've never seen a ballet, you've likely heard the music at Christmas time. This production was directed by a famed choreographer, Alexander Sacks, who, fun fact, also happened to be the Artistic Director of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow at the time!
Can you imagine the buzz in the air? Imagine the excited whispers of "Have you seen Sacks's new production?", "Who will be the Sugar Plum Fairy?" And those divine ballet tutus? I can practically hear the rustling of silk and satin from my time-travelling perch here in Derbyshire. I bet the ladies of Vienna would have loved a sprinkle of pink tulle on their dresses. Perhaps we can set a trend for the future? Think of the power of a pink tutu!
Now, back to the Vienna opera house. As soon as Magic Meg let me off, I snuck backstage, all smiles and politeness, of course! After a quick (and completely undetected) peek into the dressing rooms, I snagged myself a programme. Oh, the elegance of those vintage prints! You know, I think I'm going to incorporate some old-fashioned ballet program illustrations in my new website design. It's all about embracing our history and paying homage to the art form we adore.
The first thing that struck me was the difference between the 'Nutcracker' in 1923 and the ones we see today. The original choreography by Alexander Sacks was very much rooted in classical technique. We're talking precise steps, a clear focus on elegance and beautiful line. Now, that's not to say there weren't fun moments, oh no! I can still imagine the joyful exuberance of the snowflakes and the delightful frolicking of the flowers! And yes, there was definitely a certain magic, like when the prince sweeps the Sugar Plum Fairy across the stage, and they vanish in a whirl of white gauze. Oh, the sheer romance!
Of course, there was an amazing story behind the performance! Remember that beautiful, old-fashioned Victorian novel "The Nutcracker and the Mouse King" that the ballet is based on? In this period, the story took centre stage, creating a magical atmosphere that held audiences in its thrall.
Talking of stories, I found this little gem in an old theatre pamphlet, something about a renowned dancer called Anna Pavlova, a "divine ballerina" in the press, she had performed "The Dying Swan" just two years before in Vienna. Oh, how I'd love to have witnessed that. I hear her performance was hauntingly beautiful, every movement echoing with the bittersweet poetry of a swan's last breath.
While in Vienna, I also noticed that there was a big trend in dance costume designs that mirrored fashion styles of the era. Imagine shimmering beaded dresses and velvet tunics adorned with sequins. You see, darling, even though they might not have embraced the power of pink tutus in 1923 (yet!), those Viennese were clearly lovers of fine fabric, glitter and shine. And if you want to add a bit of historical charm to your ballet fashion today, think about borrowing some ideas from these amazing trends.
Sadly, my time in Vienna had to come to an end. But before we leave the land of waltzes and magic, I just wanted to say how utterly charming it all was. From the magnificent Vienna State Opera, with its breathtaking chandelier and opulent décor, to the bustling cafes filled with laughter and conversation, I found myself falling deeply in love with this vibrant city.
Now, lovelies, while I wish we could stay and indulge in a cup of Viennese coffee together, we need to fly. As always, I have filled my leather rucksack with treasures from this trip. From those antique programs to my ballet fashion sketchbook overflowing with vintage designs, I have a little bit of 1923 Vienna to share with you. Stay tuned for some fantastic ballet-inspired fashion tips, plus an update on my progress towards converting the whole world to the fabulousness of the pink tutu!
Oh, before I forget! For all my ballet enthusiast friends, don't miss the exciting events happening this month! In London, there's a special performance of "The Sleeping Beauty" at the Royal Opera House. And across the pond, New York is hosting the legendary Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. If you're able to catch any of these shows, I can promise a night of truly magical artistry.
So until next time, darling, keep twirling, keep shining, and most importantly, never be afraid to let your inner ballerina soar. And remember, a pink tutu can take you anywhere, even if it's just in your imagination.
Until next month,
Emma xx
www.pink-tutu.com
