#BalletHistory during 2004 02

Hello, my lovely tutus! It's your favourite Derbyshire-born ballerina blogger, Emma, back again with another dazzling delve into the wonderful world of ballet history.

February 2004 – oh, the memories! My, how the time flies! (And we haven’t even mentioned the time travel bit!)

Anyway, today, my dear ballet enthusiasts, we're hopping aboard the magical pink shimmer of my faithful steed, Meg. We're about to journey back to February 2004. Prepare yourselves for a truly fabulous flutter!

As we gallop through the time vortex, the air shimmers with pink sparkles and the sound of tap shoes and twirling skirts. Magic Meg, she's an absolute gem, my dear! A pink sparkling Shire with golden hooves, a flowing white mane and tail… you’ll see her at the end of this post, we always do a “Magic Meg of the Month” photo at the end of each time travel.

Right then, you know the drill! It's time to pull out your diaries, your teacups, and your ballet slippers… and don’t forget to sprinkle in some magic pink fairy dust!

Let’s get to the heart of our adventure: What happened in the world of ballet during the month of February 2004? I'll tell you what, my darlings – it was simply smashing!

The Royal Ballet – Still as Grand as Ever

Over at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, the legendary Royal Ballet were in their prime. I imagine, if I was a ballet enthusiast in London back then, I would be swooning!

In February, their production of Giselle with Alina Cojocaru and Ivan Vasiliev must have been exquisite! (The choreography – a true classic, don’t you think?) A classic ballet, but always fresh, that’s Giselle! I have the best tutu to go with Giselle. It’s quite simply spectacular. It sparkles just like the dew drops that glisten in the woodland of the second act of this masterpiece.

My friend Fiona told me (you all know, my friend who used to work at the Opera House – now she sells stunning vintage ballet fashion at the Covent Garden market!) – she told me about how the Royal Ballet had just introduced a wonderful program called the "Royal Ballet Young Supporters Scheme". You know me, darling, anything that encourages the love of ballet! And – it helps new budding dancers find their passion. How adorable!

Fiona said that on 11th February 2004, there was an enchanting event in the Royal Opera House that brought together young, passionate dancers and seasoned performers – an experience these budding talents will never forget, I can just imagine.

Oh, and speaking of events – I simply must share that divine event that happened at The Lowry Centre in Salford in February 2004. The Rambert Dance Company, you know the one, the darling Rambert Company, celebrated its fabulous 85th anniversary with a sensational event at The Lowry! Imagine – 85 years! I simply adore how dance companies can preserve these brilliant traditions, while always keeping fresh, always reinventing and exploring!

I’m just so delighted that back then in February 2004, the Rambert Company was showcasing an absolutely divine collection of original ballets by these amazing artists: Christopher Bruce, Richard Alston, and even a brilliant piece from Matthew Bourne! Can you imagine – Matthew Bourne! What a genius! If you ever find yourself near the Royal Opera House, do drop by Matthew Bourne’s “New Adventures.” I saw his "Swan Lake" – a vision!

Oh, you can imagine – back then in 2004, in those theatres, my imagination went wild! In every theatre, from tiny local halls, to the big London stages, the spirit of the tutu – that was our world! It felt so vibrant! You know, I so love any performance. Every story – they have their own unique elegance, their own breathtaking flair. And what’s more, they inspire me with their magic!

My ballet history is about the magic – about those enchanting moments in time where our passion truly dances to its heart's beat. But enough about the past! (Let’s go to that fancy ball… perhaps later this evening…) I know I want all you lovely tutu lovers to join me. Let’s explore our present – how about we look at what's happening in the world of ballet this very month!

We shall, and we will also chat a little bit more about Magic Meg in a moment, as we have our usual “Meg of the Month” photo at the end of the blog, but right now, let’s find some amazing ballet to see, let’s find some inspiring ballet shopping – oh! What's your favorite store to pick up new ballet wear? You tell me… and then we will meet Meg, my pink shimmer of a steed!

And Now – What's Dancing Across the Global Ballet Stage?

Oh, my sweet ballet besties – this month, I'm just so delighted to share with you all of the fabulous shows that I've spotted for the month! My, they're all so very tempting – it makes choosing my next time travel destination very hard!

It's absolutely impossible for me to be in every theatre across the globe, that’s what’s so wonderful about ballet – it’s everywhere! In every corner of the globe. Even on my horse, that’s one amazing thing about a magic pink Shire horse with golden hooves, but right now, I’m concentrating on just these places!

The Paris Opera Ballet: The Home of Grand Ballet You’re absolutely right! If you are a serious fan of the great classical ballets, then this is the place for you. It's simply *an absolute must to visit the magnificent Paris Opera House - one of my all-time favourite theatres – oh, so *exquisite! It's pure ballet fantasy!

I can almost feel it. If I had wings like a ballet angel, right this moment, I'd be soaring right into this Paris Opera Ballet. I saw an announcement on their website that the “La Bayadère” has just had a run on stage and they just began a “Nutcracker” performance. I can see it! They must be having an enchanting Nutcracker! And all in a stunning, timeless, magical setting – oh, that Paris Opera House just makes your ballet soul come alive, don’t you think? Don’t forget! I need your recommendations of what’s good! Where do you really love seeing ballet, my tutus?

A New York Ballet Symphony - the New York City Ballet

What's happening in the Big Apple this month? My, oh, my – such elegance! This year’s performances seem quite classic! This ballet world, the way it intertwines tradition and contemporary… oh, I’m a sucker for it! It just excites my inner ballet dreamer. And New York City Ballet, they really know how to embrace tradition in a way that stays fresh. Oh, look at the incredible cast on their website… you can find out everything on www.nycballet.com.

I have a special sweet spot for their Jerome Robbins’ “The Four Seasons” – Oh, the divine use of colours… such movement! And their "Swan Lake" is pure enchantment. My, that choreography is one to really admire! And of course, there's always a chance to see some of the most talented contemporary ballet dancers, too. The passion of New York, it’s in every dancer, even those backstage. If you get to see New York City Ballet, my sweet ballet lovelies, tell me about the energy – the atmosphere – let’s share stories. You tell me what’s hot this month, and we can time travel, but maybe on one of our weekend outings. Maybe a quick jaunt to the Big Apple! Oh, just imagine all the stores that we could explore. Oh, I would love to see your ballet outfit choices – there are so many stunning boutiques on 5th avenue! My dream time trip.

Across the Atlantic: Royal Ballet Style - The English National Ballet Right now – they’re on the road with “ The Nutcracker,” I think – if I’m not mistaken. They are in Leicester on the 24th of February, I am going to have to find a ticket to this!

The lovely Nutcracker … oh! I adore those choreography ideas for the "Land of Sweets” ballet… those dancing snowflakes! Just picture them! I have to make time for a tutu that has snowflake designs. You know I do love everything “Nutcracker!” If you see it, you must write in and tell me everything… how was it in Birmingham, on February 9th or 11th? Let me know how the “Nutcracker” in Manchester looks, oh! And all the costumes – let's compare notes, and we’ll make a special section here on the “Nutcracker” ballet at the end of each post, a bit like my Meg of the Month! But this month it's *“Nutcracker Ballet Spotlight,” as I am sure so many of my dear readers have seen this performance *and it’s my very favorite ballet. I'll bring in a photo or two from each ballet, a little mini tour. Maybe even a sneak peek at my “Nutcracker Ballet” ballet outfit. My, I have just started working on one.

Across the Sea – and Over the Channel – the Royal Ballet… again! I hope you like travelling by horse, darling, because Magic Meg has to take us everywhere! Well, you might be thinking – they are called the Royal Ballet! How can we go over to see them in another city? They have already done this “Giselle” tour, but just so you know, this was in *Stuttgart – a place we must explore later on for all the fabulous opera and ballet! They did a tour for *two days, on Feb. 16th, and 17th. Oh, to have been there! You all know that Stuttgart is so close to Munich – if you’ve seen them, I just must have a full review for next month’s post!

The Dancing Heart of the Ballet World:

My darling tutus – that was just a sneak peek! Let’s talk more next month… I have so much to share – my, oh, my! Ballet has so much to offer, doesn’t it?

My lovelies – you tell me – where would you like to go for a ballet trip?

I think it’s time I tell you about Meg, and show off this fantastic sparkly pink horse. But before I go, we all need to do this…

“I want to dance with you forever – in my pink tutu!"

Magic Meg: Shire of the Month!

I told you this horse is special! Oh, she shines in every picture. What’s your horse, my dear ballet besties? Send me pictures, tell me all about her. Do you have dreams of being a ballerina and having a magical pink steed? Who’s your dream horse? I have to find one for my Nutcracker dream, I think – there's no reason for me to only have Meg, I should really have a stable of sparkling pink horses! Oh! And that is how our blog will be next month. I want you to all have magical, pink, sparkling, fantasy Shire horses… who knows where this will all go. Oh, just imagine the fashion, darling! We need all of the amazing tutu loving, pink-loving, horse-loving ballerina’s together in this world!

It’s all so amazing… all I can do now is dream, until next month – I shall gallop off into the magic pink sparkle and dust.

 ***

*You know me - I simply *love hearing from all of you! What has your ballet journey been like this month? **

www.pink-tutu.com

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