Hello lovelies, and welcome back to another enchanting journey through time! Today, I'm taking you all on a magical ride back to June 6th, 1946. As you know, the colour pink and I are best friends - I'm practically addicted to it - and I've got a brand new tutu in this glorious hue for our time-traveling adventure. Its layers of tulle float just as elegantly as the smoke rising from my latest baking attempt: raspberry pink meringue kisses, with a touch of rosewater.
But let's get back to 1946. Now, imagine, dear readers, the world just starting to rebuild itself after the great war. You can almost smell the air thick with anticipation, like the air before a big premiere. It was a time of hope, of looking forward. And as always, there was the most incredible magic happening in the world of ballet!
I must tell you, Magic Meg (my stunning, shimmering, pink-hued shire horse, the pride of our time-travelling adventures) was particularly happy on this journey. The air hummed with possibilities! She tossed her white mane in the wind as she galloped through time, a dazzling blur of pink and gold against the sunrise. We were ready for our first stop: a grand, old opera house in Vienna!
This 1946 performance at the Vienna State Opera was exceptional. I was delighted to see a new production of La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi. The story - a bittersweet love triangle - was so intensely emotive, even in the 1940s! The Vienna State Ballet is renowned for their incredible talent, and I must admit, watching them weave their way through this dramatic piece, I nearly burst with tears, especially the famous Act III scene when Violetta bids farewell. Just a gorgeous display of dancing talent! Of course, I wore my sparkly pink tutu and tucked some lovely lace doilies I discovered from the 1920s in my trusty leather rucksack for safekeeping.
From Vienna, we journeyed on to Paris. I’m a great fan of ballet fashion. Imagine my delight when I found a fabulous shop specializing in dancewear in the very chic, post-war era! The shop, owned by a charismatic woman called Madame Dupont, displayed a dazzling collection of tutus! A vision in tulle and velvet - a ballerina's dream come true! Imagine a rainbow of colour: cerulean blue, scarlet, and yes, my favorite: blush pink! A truly magical shop - and yes, I just had to have a pair of gorgeous silk ballet slippers to complete my ensemble, along with a shimmering velvet bodice.
I spent the rest of the day at the prestigious Paris Opera. The program: a contemporary ballet called Symphonic Variations by George Balanchine. It’s still a beloved ballet today! The dancer who played the first theme was particularly captivating, her graceful movements a vision to behold. What an impressive ballet production – and how exhilarating it was to witness these remarkable performances!
This journey was packed full of amazing performances and so much incredible dancing. I even popped over to London for a glimpse at the Sadler's Wells Ballet in the West End. They’re known for their lovely ballets. You know me – I couldn’t resist snagging some precious ballet memorabilia to take back home to Derbyshire!
I had a blast experiencing these incredible ballet events, from Vienna's elegant opera house to Paris' fashionable boutique to London's legendary theatres! This time-travelling ballerina loves seeing ballet, whether on stage, in ballet studios, or simply walking the streets. The elegance and artistry of ballet touches every corner of the world. I truly believe it's an art form for everyone, so let's all make the world a pinker, tutu-clad place.
Have a wonderful week!
Emma xx
P.S. Stay tuned for my next adventure: we're hopping over to 1970s New York City, so be prepared to discover an array of dazzling fashion, hip-hop infused street dance, and a totally rad tutu (I promise). Until then, may you all dance your heart out! And remember: we can achieve anything with a sprinkle of sparkly pink and a touch of ballet magic!
