Hello my lovelies,
It’s Emma here, back with another time-travelling tale from the wonderful world of ballet! I'm so excited to share my adventures with you this month - trust me, it's a corker! I've just gotten back from a trip to the Victorian era, and let me tell you, I had a positively fabulous time. I’ve even got some fantastic new stories to share with you! And of course, I brought back some absolutely divine ballet trinkets!
But first, let's get down to the nitty-gritty!
A Big Splash in London's Ballet Scene
I landed in London with Magic Meg in May 1867, ready to catch some of the most sought-after ballet performances in all of England. Did you know that this was the time when The Royal Ballet (known back then as The Royal Opera House) was truly coming into its own? It was just ten years since they opened their new theatre, which by all accounts was absolutely magnificent, a grand architectural masterpiece showcasing all the most exquisite artistic details. It even featured a rather dramatic golden proscenium arch! Can you imagine how mesmerising that must have been?
This was a thrilling time to be a ballet aficionado – I hear whispers that they were attracting absolutely overflowing crowds who would come to watch some of the biggest names in the ballet world, and the critics were in awe of the talent on stage! They called it the 'golden age' for good reason, you know.
I made my way into the heart of the bustling city – the London of carriages, chimney-sweeps and grand Victorian fashion. The city just hummed with a bustling energy and a sort of creative thrill that left me positively tingling! Even as I trotted through the streets on Magic Meg's back, my senses were already soaking up the electrifying atmosphere.
A Night at the Opera (and the Ballet!)
Now, one of the first things I discovered was that the Royal Opera House wasn’t just for ballet! They also staged an enormous range of opera productions. This was truly a vibrant centre for the performing arts.
My first evening, I went straight to the Opera House and, with Magic Meg securely stabled (with the added treat of some extra luscious hay, naturally!) , I took a seat right in the front row. Can you believe it, the very first performance I saw was "Il Trovatore," an Italian opera featuring breathtakingly powerful vocal talents that made the theatre vibrate. This was pure dramatic emotion, my dears, right down to the soul!
A Glimpse of "Giselle"
On my second evening, I decided to settle in for a proper dose of the ballet side of things and found a place right at the centre of the stalls, getting a real good look at the stage. The ballet that night was "Giselle," a classic romantic ballet filled with gorgeous choreography and, naturally, exquisite costuming, each dance showcasing real virtuosity, technical perfection and sheer talent. It had me mesmerized!
You'll be thrilled to know that the "tutu," as we know it, had only become a key feature of the ballerina costume just a few decades before - the 1830s - which is not much older than me. Can you imagine what it would have been like for a ballerina, twirling and leaping in this new type of attire! Imagine the way the fabric must have swirled and danced as they pirouetted, each turn highlighting its beautiful flowing design! Oh, if only I could have worn one myself! Maybe my next journey will be to the 1830s to do just that! But of course, I'm completely on-topic!
The Victorian Passion for Dance
After my magical experiences at the theatre, I discovered that this ballet craze had completely gripped the hearts of Victorian people! Ballet schools popped up everywhere, from tiny one-room studios to much grander and luxurious locations. And as I hopped from city to city, from grand town squares to the cobblestone streets of provincial towns, I witnessed the passion for dance blooming in every corner!
Every salon hosted social gatherings that ended in waltz and mazurka sessions - even private gardens were no longer off-limits, hosting impromptu dancing lessons for anyone who dared to twirl in their lovely dresses! You wouldn’t believe how stylish everyone was, even down to the humblest cottage, all those fabulous dresses in a multitude of colours, ribbons and lace! And I simply loved seeing the joy and excitement dancing brought to people of all ages. Even the Queen was a massive ballet fan! Now wouldn't that be a story to tell! I must find some time to visit her court on my next trip!
Magic Meg Meets a Sparkling Shire Horse
And of course, I just couldn't let my time travel adventure pass without sharing the magic that Magic Meg encountered, too! On our journey across the cobbled streets of England, we happened upon the most delightful surprise in the town of Chesterfield. There was a travelling circus setting up in the market square.
And oh my, did they have horses! They all were utterly dazzling, beautifully cared for and, as I discovered, were essential stars of the show. It seems like horses were practically rock stars in their day, too! The horses were trained to do incredible tricks, to prance and leap in ways I could barely imagine! They were even trained to perform elaborate musical sequences with perfectly synchronized hoof beats!
Magic Meg met an utterly fabulous Shire horse, a big, white horse with a sparkling golden coat and silver hooves and a gloriously flowing mane and tail that simply gleamed. The most elegant creature I ever did see. Even Magic Meg was completely mesmerised. In the way that only true kindred spirits understand each other, they sniffed and snorted, exchanged knowing glances, and even pawed the ground in a mutual display of equine charm! It was quite the beautiful friendship moment.
I made sure to capture it all in a beautifully illustrated drawing which is already gracing my sketchbook – the best way to remember all those shimmering horse details.
And my dears, you can only imagine how those magnificent equine superstars further fueled my enthusiasm for all things ballet, especially when I heard how much they admired the human stars. I bet those graceful horses were enthralled by their dancing talents and how they moved through the air with such stunning beauty!
Oh, and while I'm on the topic of ballet, let's talk about fashion!
A Peek Into Victorian Ballet Style
You know how much I adore the fabulous world of ballet fashion! I was particularly excited to find some new discoveries in Victorian era designs. Can you believe I found an entire collection of original designs by Charles Frederick Worth – the absolute pioneer of the famous Parisian "couturier" design house! His clothing is considered "haute couture" even today. Divine!
And for those of you, who, like me, are always looking for that perfect vintage pink tutu for the perfect event (hint, hint, everyone!), the ballet designs during this time were particularly dazzling. With the evolution of the classic tutu, they were exploring all sorts of interesting possibilities with fabrics like silk, gauze, lace and velvet. And I simply love the elaborate use of decorations! Imagine intricate ribbons, sparkling beads, glittering sequins, feathers and all kinds of stunning accessories to create beautiful and whimsical designs - a testament to the Victorian passion for theatrical grandeur. It's no wonder Victorian women admired such exquisite creations!
Now, before I sign off, I’m just going to tell you about some truly delightful little ballet books that I found while I was on the hunt for ballet items to bring home with me. As I meandered through one of London's oldest secondhand bookshops – its dusty shelves bursting with historical treasures - I came across several gorgeous copies of nineteenth century books! One of the most stunning was an old copy of "The Art of Dancing: Being a Practical Treatise Upon Dancing in All its Branches," written by Thomas Wilson, a renowned dancing master! I’ve never felt so inspired.
I also stumbled upon a truly captivating publication by "Madame Vestris," a revolutionary ballet star and theatrical producer, filled with beautifully detailed images and written instructions about her choreography – how clever! They really seemed to love the ballet at this time and everything it represented!
Remember, Pink Tutud-os
Just a gentle reminder: If you’re ever travelling through time, never forget your pink tutu! You’d be surprised what it can do! Remember to embrace every adventure, dance with every opportunity, and always be prepared to spread a bit of pink sparkle.
Until next month! Keep twirling, darling!
Yours in tutu bliss,
Emma
Pink Tutu: Bringing the Ballet Back to Every Home!
www.pink-tutu.com
