Post #4110 - www.pink-tutu.com
Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing ballerina blogger, back from another exciting jaunt through the annals of ballet history. June 2003 – what a month! As always, my faithful steed, Magic Meg, whisked me back in time, her golden hooves clopping softly on cobblestone streets as I clung on with a delighted squeal. We landed with a gentle thud in the heart of London, right outside the grand, old Royal Opera House – just in time for a real treat, darling!
Now, you all know I love a bit of ballet fashion, don't you? And this month's time travel trip had me absolutely giddy. The Royal Ballet's spring season was in full swing, and on my radar, nestled snugly within my leather rucksack, was one particularly fabulous performance: Giselle.
You can just imagine it: The elegant choreography, the flutter of the women's tulle skirts, the beautifully painted backdrops! Even the dancers' costumes had me dreaming of frothy pink tutus! Honestly, you could see the love for ballet in the air. It was so enchanting, I practically forgot to jot down all the details for you darlings! Thankfully, my notebook has the most perfect space for all my ballet observations, alongside sketches of exquisite shoes and gorgeous hairstyles – very essential when travelling back through the ages, you know.
But before we get too carried away by Giselle, let’s delve into some fascinating events from the wider world of ballet, shall we? This June 2003, I discovered the very vibrant and innovative New York City Ballet was about to open their new season, just around the corner from where I landed! This prestigious company was staging, among others, a dazzling rendition of "Symphony in C" – which is so clever as it utilises music, choreography, and design to really enhance and express the symphony’s joyous themes. And who was performing, you ask? Well, the company's rising star, Wendy Whelan, was in top form, delighting the audience with her strength and grace – talk about talent!
Meanwhile, over in Paris, my lovely Parisian darlings, The Paris Opera Ballet was thrilling its audiences with another classic, The Sleeping Beauty. As I galloped along the cobbled streets, I could just imagine the spectacle: elegant princesses and mischievous fairies pirouetting on stage in front of enthralled spectators! You know how much I love a fairytale ballet, and this was surely one of the best. Oh, the glamour, the sheer romance! Honestly, you can practically feel the magical vibes emanating from Sleeping Beauty, right down to those delicate, pointy shoes and exquisitely feathered tutus.
And it's not just the professional shows I was eager to explore, you know! My little heart was absolutely buzzing with excitement to get a glimpse into ballet classrooms around the world. It turns out that June 2003 was a rather momentous occasion: The Royal Ballet School was gearing up to open a brand new and rather dazzling purpose-built site in Richmond. That's in beautiful, sun-kissed Surrey, just outside London! Isn’t that just wonderful? Just think, all those talented little ballerinas – budding stars in the making – about to get their daily dose of rigorous training and creative inspiration in a brand new state-of-the-art facility. I can’t help but feel a flutter of excitement for all those young dreams, so very close to taking flight.
Now, my dearest ballet aficionados, you know I couldn’t have a trip without indulging in a little retail therapy, right? The crème de la crème of ballet wear was available to browse in June 2003. This is a particularly delightful era for dance fashion – think pretty pastel leotards, airy, ethereal tutus, and an abundance of dazzling fabrics! Imagine, for example, a delightful pink tutu made from the most delicate, whisper-light fabric – with tiny little sequins glittering under the stage lights. The ultimate fairytale fantasy come true! You see why this time travel era is a personal favourite of mine.
And finally, my lovelies, a quick word on how I fund these amazing adventures. As you know, every once in a while, I’ve been known to showcase my ballet prowess and earn some pocket money to pay for all these wonderful time travel shenanigans. And in June 2003, what better way to raise funds than by starring in a thrilling, heart-stopping production of "Don Quixote," the beloved ballet by Minkus! And you know what? I think I may have given a stellar performance! Now, with that wonderful image in mind, I must leave you all to daydream about your own ballet ambitions and fantastical dreams, with your own lovely pink tutus, ready for all kinds of enchanting adventures. But don’t worry, my darlings, I will be back with another exciting time travel tale, just next month.
Yours in pink,
Emma, your ballerina time traveler.
xx
