#BalletHistory during 1999 04

Hello, darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu! It's Emma here, and oh, the adventures I have for you today! As you know, I’m absolutely obsessed with all things ballet. It's in my blood, my soul, my wardrobe – frankly, my entire existence. And that love spills over into exploring ballet history – travelling through time on my trusty steed, Magic Meg!

Magic Meg, as you all know, is a vision of pink perfection, with her shimmering pink coat, a mane and tail like spun white silk, and golden hooves that sparkle like magic dust. You never know when she'll take us to!

This month, we're travelling back to April 1999, a whirlwind year of exciting ballet performances around the world! Let’s get this tutu party started, shall we?

Firstly, we're waltzing across the pond to New York, where the New York City Ballet were celebrating their 48th season with an eclectic mix of performances! They presented The Four Seasons by Jerome Robbins – I've seen this myself – the choreography is a vibrant and joyful expression of the changing seasons, so utterly mesmerising!

The company also had an exciting premiere – Concerto Barocco, by George Balanchine, with a hauntingly beautiful score by Bach, and Dances at a Gathering, another Robbins masterpiece that weaves an ethereal and charming tapestry of movement. Talk about a feast for the senses!

Over in Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Ballet had their spring season on full tilt! With performances of the much-loved Swan Lake and a contemporary work called Continuum, by choreographer Stephen Mills, which explored human movement and space in a very innovative way, they definitely kept the audiences entertained!

But wait, there's more! The Houston Ballet, one of America’s jewels, had their annual Nutcracker performances at this time! Now, you know I'm a massive fan of the Nutcracker – there’s just something about that beautiful fairytale story! I imagine it would have been even more magical back in the day.

Then we hop across the Atlantic to Europe, starting in Paris where the Paris Opera Ballet was in full swing. Their April repertoire boasted performances of the legendary La Bayadère, with its dramatic story of love, betrayal, and divine intervention.

Remember the iconic choreography by Marius Petipa and that stunning ‘Kingdom of the Shades’ scene? Simply breathtaking!

Now, let’s high-tail it to London, where the Royal Ballet were busy presenting A Month at the Opera, a delightful collection of short works – so chic! I can't help but imagine myself taking a front-row seat, watching the graceful leaps and intricate footwork of these incredible dancers!

You’d think that would be enough to keep us busy, wouldn't you? But hold your horses, dear readers! Because this month was buzzing with international ballet stars – the crème de la crème of the ballet world – all dazzling audiences in different parts of the globe!

Can you imagine the magic in the air as Darcey Bussell graced the stage in a fundraising performance for the Royal Ballet’s “Save Our Steps” campaign, featuring the most beautiful music from the world of ballet, accompanied by some stunning choreography? She always dances with such heartfelt emotion and precision. It would have been simply divine!

Of course, that's not the only gala happening this month! The world was captivated by the sheer brilliance of the legendary Mikhail Baryshnikov, whose star power illuminated stages across the globe! From his appearances at The Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow to a mesmerising gala performance at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., Baryshnikov had a whole host of people, including myself, spellbound with his iconic presence and awe-inspiring performances.

And let’s not forget about Sylvie Guillem, who has been my muse for a long time! In April of 1999, Sylvie gave audiences chills and thrilled them with her captivating dance prowess in both Europe and North America, performing an eclectic mix of classical and contemporary pieces – truly remarkable!

As Magic Meg whisked me back to my own time and Derbyshire, England, I felt a deep sense of inspiration. These international performances reminded me that the beauty and artistry of ballet knows no bounds! It truly connects people, across time, continents, and even languages. I simply had to bring some of that magic back to my humble village!

So, inspired by all that dancing, I decided to dedicate the next few weeks to celebrating this art form. You see, it isn’t just about the glitz and glamour (though let’s face it, the fashion in ballet is divine! I'm quite smitten with all those tulle skirts and glittering tiaras!) It's about the raw emotion, the sheer dedication, and the timeless power of dance.

My mission? To get as many people as possible wearing pink tutus – for I truly believe that the world needs more glitter and grace in its steps. And a little touch of pink certainly doesn’t hurt either!

So, this month, I’m throwing a charity performance at the local village hall – a celebration of all things ballet. We’ll be performing extracts from our favorite ballets, sharing insights about the history and art of dance, and spreading a message of unity and inspiration. I can’t wait to share the joy of ballet with everyone, and who knows, maybe even spark some love for tutus along the way!

As for me, I'll be channeling my inner prima ballerina, and, of course, wearing my signature pink tutu – my own symbol of empowerment, creativity, and all things beautiful. After all, there's no such thing as too much sparkle!

If you're in the Derbyshire area, do come along to the show – it's sure to be a dazzling night! I promise you’ll leave feeling energized and inspired!

Until next time, my darlings! Keep dancing your heart out! And don't forget, always embrace the pink!

Love and tutus,

Emma

www.pink-tutu.com