Hello lovelies,
It's Emma here, and it's time for another magical jaunt through the ages with my trusty steed, Magic Meg! She's looking absolutely divine today, gleaming like a pink and sparkly pearl under the autumn sunshine, with her white mane and tail flowing like a river of moonlight. My trusty leather rucksack is packed and ready, too - just waiting for all the wonderful ballet stories and treasures I'm sure to find!
This month, I'm taking you all back to the 10th of October 1952. This year, it was the birthday of a ballet legend! That's right, the irreplaceable Margot Fonteyn - Dame Margot Fonteyn, of course, if you want to get all official about it – was born! She truly is an icon of ballet. We'll get back to her shortly! But for now, picture this:
The London air is crisp with the coming of autumn. There's a vibrant energy in the city. In the theatres, the air crackles with anticipation for a new season. In my head, I can hear the first fluttery notes of a Tchaikovsky symphony, almost tasting the excitement in the air. Can you smell that fresh-polished wood floor, mixed with the unmistakable scent of anticipation, like a symphony of perfume?
This October, ballet is truly alive! Let’s hop on Magic Meg and go have a look around.
Dancing to the beat of time!
1952 was a thrilling year in the world of ballet. It was a time for grand statements, sweeping romantic narratives and breathtaking dance. Imagine being there - the energy, the spectacle. In Paris, the iconic Opéra Garnier, resplendent with its gilded opulence, plays host to some of the greatest ballets ever known. It's a dream, right? Can you picture yourself there, tucked amongst a flurry of fashionable gowns, the rustle of silk, the hum of excited chatter, the first blush of the spotlight illuminating a dazzling dancer… I certainly can!
This month, the Paris Opéra Ballet, led by their visionary director Serge Lifar, are performing La Fille mal gardée, an idyllic celebration of life in the countryside, and a charming romp about young love and rebellion! And I’ve read L’Apres-midi d’un Faune, the exquisitely haunting dance ballet from Vaslav Nijinsky is being staged!
In the United States, the New York City Ballet, founded by George Balanchine in 1948, was gaining immense popularity with their vibrant and innovative repertoire, especially Balanchine’s own creations - imagine the excitement of witnessing their performance of Agon in its premiere, showcasing the power of modernity alongside the elegance of classical balletic moves! It's electrifying just thinking about it, isn't it?
Here at home in Britain, it’s all about the Royal Ballet! I bet you're itching to see the incredible talents they have on offer, right? Well, just imagine being a guest at The Royal Opera House. Can you see yourself wearing your best pink tutu, settling into the plush red seats?
This very month, October, in 1952, the Royal Ballet are premiering a beautiful three-act version of Giselle. This romantic masterpiece explores themes of love, heartbreak, and the fragility of life, so wonderfully poignant and romantic! And who can forget the glorious *Rudolf Nureyev? *
He was just a boy then, but it's almost as if destiny whispered secrets into the air about his genius in ballet - just a few short years later, this young Russian prodigy was to burst onto the ballet scene, redefining dance forever! It's not hard to see why the Royal Ballet, with such talented dancers like Fonteyn and Nureyev, became known as a symbol of both artistic excellence and cultural glamour!
Oh, and what's this in my ballet bag? A souvenir programme for the Sadler's Wells Ballet, the esteemed ballet company that played an integral part in shaping modern ballet in Britain - this was their year, as it is when they were promoted to the rank of The Royal Ballet.
*A dance through time… *
But you know what? Ballet wasn’t just confined to Paris, New York and London!
I am imagining Margot Fonteyn, our ballerina icon gracing the stage in Australia this very year, a truly global ballerina! The sheer impact of her style! What about the Ballet Russe, performing to audiences all over the globe? Can you imagine a night at The Metropolitan Opera House in New York, as they bring a unique vision of classical ballet to audiences in the heart of New York City. What a privilege it must have been to witness a show at this esteemed venue, known for its artistic excellence. I wish I could just step back in time to that grand, timeless space and see these wonderful dancers take the stage - what an iconic moment in history, where art and glamour intertwine to create an extraordinary spectacle!
*Time travel on pink sparkles! *
As I've been exploring 1952, a special message has kept on swirling in my mind. It whispers of the timeless appeal of balletic beauty, the way it captures a story through movement, and the magical energy that comes alive in every performance, every pirouette, every plié. Can you hear the soft tap of ballet slippers against the floorboards? Feel the magic in the air as the spotlight bathes the stage in its soft glow? The excitement in the auditorium… That's ballet! That's the wonder of time travel for me!
The beauty of this month’s trip has reminded me that the past is alive with such vibrancy and inspiration, and the joy of sharing this history with you, my lovely blog readers, is what fills my heart. So don't forget to join me again next month as we travel together through time – you never know where Magic Meg might take us!
Love,
Emma. xx
* P.S.* Have I managed to inspire any of you to don your pink tutu and twirl to your hearts content this month? I have to say, a pink tutu can always make you feel extra-fabulous - a wonderful reminder that the world of dance and fashion will never be the same!
