Hello, my lovelies! Emma here, your favourite Derbyshire pink tutu-wearing time traveller, reporting live from… well, actually, right here in the quaint little village of Ashbourne. Magic Meg's a bit on the tired side after our recent adventures in 1920s Paris, so a spot of countryside rest is just what the doctor ordered!
Speaking of doctors, did I tell you about my amazing trip back to the year 1859? I mean, the corsets they wore back then! I nearly fainted! But I collected some truly gorgeous dance shoes from a Parisian antique shop – such tiny, delicate slippers! Luckily, my rucksack, which, by the way, is hand-stitched leather, is truly cavernous!
Oh, but I am so very, very excited to tell you all about this month's time travel journey - 3rd March 1968, because oh my, what a day for ballet! Not only did Magic Meg behave beautifully, but, and brace yourselves, darlings, I saw Rudolf Nureyev, the King of Dance himself!
Well, not exactly saw, as we time travellers don't like to get noticed! I did, however, see him, quite literally, in the wings of the Royal Opera House. Oh, how divine! The very same place I'd just left in my early 1900s trip!
You see, on this day in history, the esteemed Mr Nureyev was part of a grand performance of The Sleeping Beauty, dancing the role of Prince Desire, and believe me, darling, there's no more dapper and captivating prince in ballet! The man had me utterly mesmerised from the moment he walked onto that stage!
The Royal Opera House was absolutely buzzing with excitement that evening, like a box of sugared almonds, overflowing with glitter and charm. And everyone, oh, absolutely everyone was dressed to the nines! So many shimmering sequined gowns, sparkling tiaras, and even the occasional pair of velvet opera gloves - my dear, a symphony of fashion elegance!
Now, I might not have seen the performance in its entirety, but, as luck would have it, the entire production was filmed! You won't believe how extraordinary it was! A true piece of ballet history preserved on celluloid. You can find a glimpse of it online if you look hard enough - just remember the internet is still relatively new in 1968, so, you may need to search hard for it!
While Mr Nureyev was thrilling audiences in London, a very important dance festival was taking place in New York City – The International Ballet Festival. Oh my, how exciting! The best ballet dancers from around the world all in one place! Just imagine! This year’s highlight was a thrilling performance of "Giselle," a stunning portrayal of doomed love and tragic romance. I’d given up all my ballet treasures in exchange for an exquisite 19th-century Ballet costume from one of the festival’s participants, and the sheer craftmanship of it - breathtaking! The details! The colours! My dear, you just cannot compare that to mass-produced garments nowadays.
In Soviet Russia, a wonderful piece of ballet history was being created too! A ballet adaptation of "Don Quixote" based on a story from 1746, which I just happened to travel back to earlier this year, and it’s no coincidence that I collected several manuscripts, just in case.
On a much smaller scale, in Prague, a very talented choreographer, Janek Šimek, was showcasing his first solo ballet "O věcnosti (About Eternity)". My dear, how enchanting to witness creativity emerging in every corner of the globe! I might have to visit Prague, too, some time.
Meanwhile, a young man from London, a real charmer by the name of David Drew, was spending time learning and exploring a specific type of ballet known as "ballet de cour". This particular form, full of grace and finesse, dates back to the French Court during the 17th century. Imagine, ballet from the very royal halls of Versailles, simply mesmerising!
Speaking of mesmerising, you simply cannot have a ballet time-travel blog without a discussion of fashion, my darlings! In 1968, a truly iconic outfit was showcased at the "New York's Ballet: 1907-1967" exhibition, the most fashionable event of the year. The Tchaikovsky "Swan Lake" dress, from the original production in 1895, is an epitome of elegance - a truly divine blend of beauty and grace! You must try to see this masterpiece online – truly a vision!
However, this is not about copying historical fashions exactly. No, my dears, our purpose is to learn from them, and let that beauty and elegance seep into the way we carry ourselves in everyday life. Embrace those sparkling sequins, dance in pink tulle, wear your tutu, with pride! After all, isn't confidence the most fashionable garment we can all possess?
And don't forget, you can follow Pink-Tutu.com for all your ballet travel and time travel adventures, for updates on Magic Meg, and for ballet-related tips and musings. Until next time, my darlings! Wear pink, be beautiful, and always, always dance.
See you all on Pink-Tutu.com, my dears,
Your ever-optimistic ballet-loving time-traveler,
Emma x.
