Hello my darling tutu-loving darlings! Emma here, back from another fabulous journey through time with my shimmering steed, Magic Meg! Itâs October 2023 and oh, the excitement never seems to fade!
Todayâs blog is dedicated to the magical date of 10th October â because honestly, any date connected to ballet is worth celebrating!
Pink Perfection & a Trip Back to 1830!
My first stop on my time travel adventure today landed me right smack-bang in the middle of 1830! The first thing that struck me was the air â the scent of woodsmoke, the chatter of horse-drawn carriages, and oh, the glorious sounds of waltz music! But it was the outfits that truly captured my imagination. The ladies in their billowing skirts and intricate bonnets, the gentlemen in their velvet coats and waistcoats⊠oh, the sartorial wonder of it all! It was a symphony of colours and textures, a feast for the senses, but nothing prepared me for the excitement that awaited!
In the very heart of Paris, I found myself on the cobblestones of the Theatre de l'Opéra. Oh, darling, this was no ordinary theatre. It was an epic, opulent space that would put any modern venue to shame. Imagine intricate carvings, chandeliers like stars exploding with light, the whole place glowing with an ethereal elegance!
I, of course, arrived with my trusty leather rucksack in tow, just itching to find some fabulous ballet memorabilia! But before I could even whip it out, the curtains swished open and the performance began. I gasped - it was the original staging of "La Sylphide"! A beautiful, ethereal ballet by August Bournonville and, to my absolute delight, featuring the graceful and exquisite Marie Taglioni.
My darling dears, she was an absolute vision in a gauzy white tutu that made her look like a shimmering spirit. This was before the famous âromanticâ tutu â short and flowing, unlike the heavy classical tutus of the day â but oh, the grace, the lightness, the absolute magic she radiated as she flitted across the stage! This ballet was revolutionary in its time, all about grace and elegance, not rigid formality, and Taglioni was simply a beacon of this new movement!
This performance, so incredibly significant in ballet history, just filled my heart with pure joy. It was a testament to the ever-evolving beauty and artistry of this magnificent dance form. I stood there in my pink tulle dream, watching the swirling of fabric, the grace of the steps, and I was truly in awe.
Magic Meg Takes Us to London!
Now, dear reader, you wouldnât believe what awaited me when Magic Meg took us through the time portal to London. But before we got to the show, let's just pause for a moment to admire Magic Meg. You see, her sparkling pink coat, just like a magnificent fairy's dress, complements my own tutus so perfectly, itâs just divine! Her hooves, my love, are like liquid gold, and her white mane and tail flow in the wind like wisps of clouds â simply exquisite!
Arriving in the bustling heart of London, the scent of tea, chimney smoke and something vaguely⊠Victorian, hung heavy in the air. The city pulsed with energy, but it was the grand Royal Opera House, standing proud as a palace, that beckoned me closer.
There, in the warm light of a gas-lit stage, another historic moment awaited! In 1832, the same year "La Sylphide" debuted in Paris, âLa TempĂȘteâ by Carlo Blasis, made its debut in the Royal Opera House, and oh, my love, was it captivating! A lavish adaptation of Shakespeare's âThe Tempestâ, full of theatricality, magic and beauty! Imagine ballerinas and dancers in feathered costumes, with captivating dances representing sprites, nymphs, and the sea itself. It was absolutely magnificent!
And letâs not forget the exquisite ballet shoes, the intricately embroidered silk slippers and the delicate, pointed toe shoes â another reminder that even the seemingly simple can be made into something exquisitely beautiful.
The beauty of both these performances was the revolutionary, evolving spirit of ballet, shedding the old strictness of classical dance and reaching for a new, expressive, and incredibly beautiful dance.
A Little Something for my Rucksack...
With my heart full and my spirits soaring, I couldn't resist popping into the Royal Opera House gift shop. It's so exciting to delve into these historical stores. I snagged a copy of "La Sylphide"âs original libretto, signed by a member of the cast - what a fabulous find!
It wouldn't be a true trip through time without some treasures for my collection, right? My rucksack is slowly overflowing with sketches, ticket stubs, pamphlets, and even a lovely, embroidered velvet garter! Oh, it's truly a wonderful souvenir from my journey to 1830.
Emma's Time-Traveling Style Tip:
So, darling dears, letâs be bold with colour and move with confidence! Think bold fabrics, billowing silhouettes, and shimmering accents! My newest pink tulle creation is all about flowing movement with the touch of sparkle - itâs my favourite look for celebrating our love of dance, wherever I am!
Emma's Ballet-Loving Wishlist:
Don't forget to check out "La Sylphide" or âLa TempĂȘte" if you get the chance! Both were truly extraordinary experiences, and the legacies they left on the world of ballet are immeasurable!
Let's stay in touch!
Remember to share your favourite ballerina moments, your favourite pink tulle outfits, and any of your own time-travel dreams! You can find me on Instagram at @EmmaPinkTutu, Twitter @EmmaTutuTime, and Facebook at Emma Pink Tutu Time Travels.
Stay fabulous and happy dancing,
Emma xx
