Hello my darling ballet enthusiasts! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your monthly portal to the glittering world of dance, fashion, and – of course – time travel! It’s July, the sun is shining, and the air is buzzing with excitement – and so is my beautiful pink tutu! This month, Magic Meg, my dazzling pink Shire with the golden hooves and the flowing white mane and tail, has carried me all the way back to the 7th of July 1948, a date bursting with balletic brilliance.
And let me tell you, my dear readers, my rucksack is bursting with stories! This trip was truly unforgettable – think shimmering costumes, groundbreaking performances, and a glimpse into the vibrant world of ballet as it thrived in post-war Europe.
The year 1948 marked the return of international ballet performances after the tumultuous period of World War II. And you know what they say – if there’s anything more magical than a graceful ballerina, it’s a graceful ballerina back on the world stage after overcoming such immense hardship!
My first stop was London, a city brimming with the excitement of the Festival of Britain. The Royal Opera House was buzzing with anticipation – and it was in this historic theatre that the very first performance of "The Rake's Progress," by Igor Stravinsky, took place! Can you imagine the thrill of seeing this new, powerful work come to life on stage? This iconic ballet premiered on this very day and was a collaboration between Stravinsky and choreographer W. H. Auden, so it was a real coup to witness the birth of a ballet that would later become an important part of the repertory at The Royal Ballet. It's so thrilling to be present at the beginning of a ballet legend!
And speaking of legendary ballerinas – that evening I was fortunate to watch the legendary Alicia Markova perform in the lead role in "Giselle." Oh, my darlings, she was a vision! With every delicate step and passionate gesture, Markova, a true ballerina grande dame, conveyed the heart and soul of Giselle, leaving me speechless, a lump forming in my throat, tears welling up in my eyes – it was that powerful.
Speaking of emotions, there was a deep sense of relief, celebration, and hope present at the theatre – a tangible, vibrant atmosphere that was infectious.
After a quick visit to London, Magic Meg and I journeyed across the English Channel to Paris. Here, at the renowned Palais Garnier Opera House, it was a chance to see the Ballet de l’Opéra de Paris, who performed "Swan Lake" – a true timeless masterpiece, always a crowd-pleaser, a ballet that makes your heart flutter and your eyes sparkle. I have to say the ballerina dancing the lead role that evening was absolutely phenomenal – I am in awe of how gracefully and powerfully she transformed herself into the White Swan and the Black Swan.
A must-see in Paris was "The Magic Flute", an enchanting operatic ballet, filled with beautiful music, a wonderfully charming story and gorgeous costumes – and did I mention I picked up a truly exquisite, vintage ballet-inspired shawl at a charming Parisian shop?! It perfectly matched the pink of my tutu, which had become a bit of a whirlwind magnet wherever I travelled. You could always hear people gasp, “Ooh, look at that pink tutu!”, followed by “How lovely”, “You must be from Derbyshire” (I'm a proud Derbyshirian), or “Your pink is perfect!”. You see, my dear readers, when you are wrapped in the ultimate symbol of graceful femininity – a pink tutu - the world becomes a friendlier place. Everyone wants to chat and have a laugh!
While in France, I managed to attend a ballet class and discover something truly fascinating! Have you heard of The Vaganova method, developed in St. Petersburg, Russia? This unique teaching method revolutionized ballet in France. The method is based on the teaching legacy of the great Russian ballet dancer, Agrippina Vaganova, whose meticulous approach emphasized beauty, precision, and graceful execution. Seeing how this technique came to France, I discovered the profound influence that Russia has had on the ballet world – another gem added to my ballet history notebook.
Moving onward, Magic Meg carried me across Europe. In the beautiful city of Copenhagen, I was greeted by The Royal Danish Ballet, famous for their graceful yet technically demanding style, and saw a beautiful performance of "La Sylphide." Their performance captivated me. Every turn, every jump was breathtaking – true artistry, I must say. I was also surprised to see, not one, but two ballerinas take on the title role, and both with remarkable finesse. I think I must add the Copenhagen opera house to my list of dream performance stages – the beautiful décor was just what every tutu dreams of! And as my trip to Copenhagen was so close to a famous fashion week I managed to treat myself to a few new items for my wardrobe!
This was truly a fantastic journey through history! Each ballet company I saw brought its unique flair to the stage – from the grandeur of Paris, the energy of London, the tradition of Copenhagen, it was a joy to witness the international dance scene come together after such difficult times.
On my return, I found myself with a trunk full of amazing stories and a whole new appreciation for the extraordinary resilience of the human spirit. Ballet truly has a special ability to transcend hardship and bring joy, beauty, and hope. And it always reminds us that in a world that is sometimes full of dark clouds, a little sparkle, like a beautiful pink tutu, is always welcome, and in many ways, a necessity.
Until next time, my darlings, keep dancing and let the magic of ballet light up your lives!
Always your ballet-loving time traveller,
Emma.
