Hello darlings! Emma here, back with another whirlwind adventure from my little pink time-traveling world. This month, Magic Meg and I have gone back to August 1977! You wouldn't believe what was happening in the world of ballet then - so much to see, so many fabulous tutus to swoon over, and so many incredible performances to talk about!
Let's start with the big news. 1977 marked the final year of the iconic Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn performing together. They danced the last of their iconic duo in "La Sylphide" at the Royal Opera House, a moment forever etched in the history books! Can you imagine the excitement! It's not every day you get to witness a legendary collaboration reach its finale! My pink heart practically exploded with excitement as I sat there, completely awestruck. This legendary pairing had such incredible impact on the ballet world! Even after such a grand farewell, I couldnāt resist taking a few extra steps onto the stage after their finale - for some quiet me time after all those cheers from the audience!
Speaking of legendary ballets, Mikhail Baryshnikov - that sensational talent, he graced the stage that year too! New York City Ballet was alive with excitement as he brought the role of the "Apollo" to life - and trust me, he really brought the role to life! With choreography by George Balanchine, this performance was a true triumph - full of incredible artistry and undeniable charisma! I just couldnāt help myself when he stepped onto stage! My rucksack ended up holding a couple of programmes and a souvenir!
But you know me, darling - I love finding the smaller gems too! And I have to tell you, August 1977 was packed full of them. Imagine, I stumbled upon the āA Tribute to the Paris OpĆ©ra Ballet,ā in Berlin. A performance so elegant it took my breath away! Imagine, a āChoreographic Festivalā at the Royal Festival Hall, London - filled with such innovative ballet creations, it left my mind swirling with new ideas. Oh, I did wish I had "The Music of the Night" on my playlist when I watched this. Don't worry, you'll all get your "Phantom" moment later, darlings, I promise!
While all the grandeur of London and the bright lights of New York were exciting, let's head over to my lovely Derbyshire for a moment. You see, my love for ballet isn't just about the grand theatres and star-studded casts - it's about the joy and beauty of dance everywhere. You'll find that even little towns like mine have hidden gems, like the Matlock Spa Theatre Ballet, a company which devoted to spreading the love of dance, and to keeping ballet affordable.
To my surprise, this monthās adventures reminded me just how far-reaching ballet really is. Imagine, on that lovely August afternoon in 1977, I found myself at the "Tbilisi State Ballet," in Georgia! Their show, "Le Corsaire," was an absolute delight - full of beautiful costumes and mesmerizing choreography. Their dancing, so vibrant, took me to another world! Even Magic Meg enjoyed the music and excitement. I just had to add their souvenir poster to my ballet collection!
As usual, my adventures are about more than just ballet. You see, fashion is part of my whole vibe, especially when it comes to those fabulous ballet tutus! 1977 was a beautiful time for fashion! Think of those iconic looks from Diana Ross, Farrah Fawcett, and ABBA, all those fab platforms and flared jeans! I made a beeline to all the best boutiques in London, of course. I loved browsing for fabrics and trims and sketching ideas for new pink tutus ā I canāt help myself, pink is always a good idea!
My dear readers, it really does make me happy when you join me in discovering what made these ballets so special, and when you see the amazing stories behind each performance! Thereās something magical about sharing our love for this art form together. It is always amazing for me to learn from my trips too, and to inspire you to explore and appreciate it in all its beauty! And who knows, maybe it will inspire you to get that pink tutu youāve always wanted!
So until next month, keep on twirling, keep on dancing, and keep the pink vibes flowing, my darlings.
Your friend in ballet time travel,
Emma xox
P.S. Keep an eye on www.pink-tutu.com, where I share more about my fashion and ballet tips. I just canāt help but try to help other tutu enthusiasts! Iāll also be putting up videos of my next performance (hint: "Swan Lake!" ) I just adore that show. My outfit is going to be fabulous!
