Hello darlings! Emma here, your trusty time-travelling tutu-enthusiast, ready to whisk you away on another fabulous adventure through the history of ballet!
This month, I've hopped on my trusty steed, the magical Meg - a magnificent pink shire horse with sparkling golden hooves and a cascading white mane and tail - and galloped right back to May 1997!
It's been quite a busy month for ballet, and honestly, I wouldn't have it any other way! The ballet world is bursting with life, and I've been soaking up all the gorgeous performances, captivating costumes, and exhilarating stories.
I landed, as always, with my trusty leather rucksack on my back, ready to gather some fabulous ballet treasures and tales to share with you. I started my journey right where every true ballet enthusiast's heart beats - the Royal Opera House in London!
This month, they were hosting a truly spectacular revival of Swan Lake. Oh my! The iconic White Act, with its hauntingly beautiful score and the captivating performance of Odette - with her diaphanous white tulle skirt, shimmering like snowflakes in the moonlight - is a true timeless masterpiece. I nearly fainted when I spotted the incredibly elegant, custom-designed pink tutu worn by the swan princess's alter ego, Odile. It was absolutely divine - sparkling pink silk, layered with gossamer tulle, adorned with delicate, sparkling silver beads - it made my heart skip a beat!
After the breathtaking spectacle, I snuck backstage and found myself chatting with one of the Swan Lake choreographers. She revealed to me how she and her team had spent countless hours in the design studio, carefully creating each tulle layer, meticulously arranging every sparkling embellishment, ensuring the tutu perfectly reflected the duality of the swan princess. It was inspiring!
I was even luckier enough to nab an interview with one of the principal dancers! Her elegance and grace on stage were simply breathtaking, but talking to her, you realize the hours of gruelling work and dedication required. She told me she was thrilled with the production - her performance was breathtaking!
My journey took me across the world to New York City next. Oh, I do love a trip to New York! This time, it was the legendary New York City Ballet I had in my sights. They were performing George Balanchine’s Serenade. The energy was electrifying! It was truly a thrilling spectacle to witness.
Then I decided to check in with the American Ballet Theatre at the Metropolitan Opera House. The world's greatest dancers, an incredible lineup of performances! I enjoyed the classic and romantic choreography in Tchaikovsky's "The Sleeping Beauty. And I must say, the choreography truly showcased their grace and power, leaving the audience enthralled!
I couldn't resist taking a peek inside some of the finest ballet shops. I was just giddy with the array of costumes and dancewear. From perfectly fitted pointe shoes to vibrant, shimmering tutus and elegant ballet skirts - the colours, the craftsmanship, the pure joy of it all! It was absolute tutu heaven!
My travels took me to Paris, where the Opéra National de Paris were presenting Giselle. A timeless story of love, betrayal, and sacrifice - a performance so hauntingly beautiful and heartbreaking!
Finally, my journey brought me back to my beloved Derbyshire, England, where I’ve had time to rest my feet and plan my next big ballet adventure! This time, I'm off to Russia - it's the heartland of ballet, so I just know it will be incredible!
Don't forget, dear readers, if you haven't already, make sure to sign up for our Tutu-ful Fashion Fridays, where I reveal some of my most fabulous fashion finds from my travels through time! And be sure to join me on the pink-tutu.com website where you can read about my latest adventures, discover ballet tips and tricks, and even find out about the events happening in the world of ballet today!
Until next month, keep dancing your way through life, and don't forget: the world is a brighter place in a pink tutu!
Yours always,
Emma 💖🩰✨
