Oh darling, it's been a whirlwind of a month! This is my 4184th post on pink-tutu.com and I'm thrilled to be sharing it with you all. August is a special month in the ballet world – there's so much going on everywhere! Just imagine, Vienna in 1814, a time when ballet was starting to really blossom. And who else could be there than me, Emma, your intrepid pink tutu-clad time traveller?
My journey began, as always, on the moors of Derbyshire, with Magic Meg snorting and pawing the ground, eager to get going. You know Magic Meg, my darling pink shire horse – all sparkle and shine with her golden hooves and white mane and tail. She just seems to know where we need to go, doesn't she? We were in Vienna before you could say “chassé.”
I confess, my dear readers, it's not always easy to blend in when you're in a pink tutu, especially when everyone else is wearing black, white, and layers upon layers of petticoats. But you know me, I love to bring a bit of sparkle and femininity to everything I do. After all, why should the boys have all the fun?
The World of Ballet in 1814
Vienna in 1814, ah, a ballet paradise! The stage at the Kärntnertortheater was alight with the dazzling talents of Marie Taglioni, the beautiful “Queen of the Dance.” I couldn't believe it – her incredible artistry and light leaps had everyone mesmerized, and let's not forget those iconic tutus! She was truly a revolutionary in ballet – the "floating" effect of her jumps changed how ballet was performed. This time period really felt like the golden age of ballet, full of creative energy and new innovations.
In Vienna, the ballet was infused with elegance, even in its simplicity. There was a purity of movement that reminded me of the ballet I saw in the Paris Opera Garnier a couple of months back. It seems that European ballet had started to become a truly international art form!
A Dressmaker's Delight
My time in 1814 Vienna was a dream come true for a girl like me, especially for a tutu aficionado! Just picture it: rows of elegant silk and taffeta, lace trim as delicate as a spiderweb, and every shade of pink imaginable. Oh, how I longed to grab up those fabulous gowns and try them on! But alas, I had to be careful not to stick out too much!
Even though they weren't tutus as we know them, the "skirts" the ladies wore on stage were quite breathtaking – think layers upon layers of gossamer fabric, flowing and graceful as they spun and twirled. The dresses were so lavish, beautifully fitted bodices with ribbons and embroidery. And the jewels! Imagine pearlescent brooches sparkling against velvet.
My little leather rucksack has been stuffed with some lovely new finds this trip, don't you worry – a beautiful hand-drawn image of a ballerina, and some scraps of embroidered lace for future costume inspiration.
Sharing My Passion
As you know, I love inspiring everyone to join the world of dance. It is so special and makes you feel so alive! Imagine dancing amongst the stars, spinning around with grace and joy, making it look easy yet experiencing all that strength and focus it requires.
One thing that strikes me every time I travel through time is how timeless ballet really is. It's always there, evolving and captivating hearts everywhere it goes. And that's what makes this job, my time-travelling adventures in ballet, so wonderful! It allows me to connect with the very roots of our beloved art form and show everyone how captivating and timeless it is!
I have a feeling you'll see a touch of Vienna in my upcoming performance, darlings. Magic Meg is already napping after our adventure. But before we hop off to our next big ballet journey, remember that you don't need a time machine to embrace the elegance and magic of dance – a tutu is a wonderful portal to a world of imagination! So grab yours, put on your pink shoes, and let's dance!
See you all next month on www.pink-tutu.com for more of our time-travelling adventures! Until then, happy twirling, my lovely readers.
XOXO, Emma
P.S. Do follow me on Insta @pink_tutu! You never know what adventures I'll be sharing there!
