Hello, my darling darlings! It’s Emma here, your ever-so-pink-obsessed time-travelling ballerina, and I'm just bubbling over with excitement after another month of exhilarating journeys through time! May 2019 was an absolute whirlwind, but that's what makes it so magical, isn't it? It's always so exciting to see what adventures await in the world of ballet history.
This month, I had the delightful pleasure of starting my journey in, you guessed it, the birthplace of ballet itself – sunny Italy! Now, the Italian Renaissance might not be what you’d first think of when you picture ballet, but it’s the origin of that delightful combination of theatre, music, and dancing that became the ballet we adore today! Imagine grand courts, shimmering costumes, and dances so graceful they felt like they were flying! It truly was a beautiful spectacle, and I even managed to find a gorgeous, shimmering gold brocade ballet skirt to add to my ever-growing collection in my trusty leather rucksack.
After a breathtaking stroll through the bustling piazzas of Renaissance Italy, my darling steed Magic Meg and I hopped onto a magical, time-travelling train that landed us in a frosty, snowy St. Petersburg, Russia, the perfect setting to soak up some early ballet history! Imagine grand theatres, dazzling performances, and ballerinas in impossibly fluffy tutus – talk about a winter wonderland!
Here, I had the chance to visit the world-renowned Bolshoi Theatre! Oh my goodness, it was everything I had imagined and more! Such ornate decor, incredible acoustics, and, of course, some incredible dance!
This particular performance was one of their more experimental offerings, the Bolshoi Ballet in the 21st century! It was so refreshing to see that, even back in May 2019, ballet wasn't afraid to experiment with new forms and modern ideas. Imagine – choreography infused with acrobatics! Ballet inspired by contemporary music and literature. The crowd went absolutely wild, which just shows how much people love the art form even when it takes on a new form.
After all that dazzling theatre, Magic Meg and I indulged in some retail therapy in the fabulous, fashion-forward city of Paris! Can you imagine all the stunning costumes I saw? Gorgeous velvet and satin fabrics, sparkling sequins, and some utterly breathtaking examples of ballet fashion. I managed to snaffle up some pretty extraordinary items, and let's just say they are making a grand appearance in my upcoming blog post on ballet fashion history!
The month ended in my beautiful home county of Derbyshire, where I shared a picnic with some lovely local dance students and taught them a few of the intricate steps I'd learnt on my journey. It's such a joy to share my love of ballet with new faces. I really believe that the art of ballet, its beauty, its grace, and its passion should be experienced by everyone.
To top off the month, I hosted a special ballet performance at my local community centre in the Derbyshire Dales. We called it the 'Pink Tutu Ball,' of course! The theme was 'time travel' - with everyone sporting outfits inspired by our time-travelling ballet journey.
I performed a delightful selection of ballets – from the graceful gracefulness of the Italian Renaissance to the soaring leaps and jumps of Russian ballets. We all ended the evening with a grand ballroom dance inspired by Victorian Era balls - a truly magnificent affair!
Speaking of magnificent affairs, how does this sound for a lovely ballet date night:
* Ballet Adventures Await: The World of Ballet in May 2019*
For those of you keen to time-travel along with me, here are some of the highlights in the world of ballet during May 2019. If you fancy dressing up in your best pink tutu, you are more than welcome to join in. Who knows, we might even stumble into a performance of "Swan Lake" in Moscow, or watch a stunning "Romeo and Juliet" ballet production in a bustling Parisian theatre!
- The Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow premiered a new, experimental contemporary ballet performance - featuring innovative choreography and modern interpretations of classical techniques. Now, how wonderful is that!
- The Paris Opera Ballet continued its dazzling season with the world premier of a stunning ballet adaptation of "Romeo and Juliet". I can imagine the romance, the passion, and the exquisite dancing!
- New York City Ballet debuted a captivating modern ballet based on Shakespeare’s famous "Hamlet". It was a mix of drama and contemporary ballet techniques, and I'm hearing it's an absolute must-see. A good blend of the old and the new!
I cannot wait to see where Magic Meg takes me next! I hope you all have the most enchanting month! Don’t forget to follow my blog and visit my online store at www.pink-tutu.com where I’ll be offering exciting ballet fashion, and information on how you can make ballet a part of your everyday life! Remember, darlings, a pink tutu is all you need to embrace your inner ballerina!
Until next month,
Emma
(and Magic Meg, of course!)
