Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where pink tutus reign supreme and ballet takes centre stage. Today we're going on a fabulous time-traveling adventure, soaring through the decades on the back of my dear Magic Meg, my trusty pink-sparkling shire horse with golden hooves and a mane and tail like spun sugar! I can't wait to share my discoveries with you.
Today marks a particularly special date - 12th December 2049, a date bursting with ballet history. And while I, your humble blogger Emma, usually prefer to spend my time pirouetting through centuries closer to my own, today's journey has an enchanting allure, beckoning me to step back into a decade of innovation and excitement.
Grab your pink tutus, darlings, and let's set off to 1949!
Now, 1949 wasn’t exactly a period for glamorous tulle and feathers. World War II was only a few years behind, leaving the world feeling quite… subdued. Imagine, ballet performances held in bombed-out buildings, dance schools struggling to reopen, and dancers finding their voices again, still a little hesitant after all the turmoil. But you know me, dear reader, always looking for the bright side! It was a time of incredible resilience.
I found myself, to my absolute delight, at Sadler's Wells in London, a venue dear to my heart, where ballet was truly coming alive. Can you imagine it? The world barely catching its breath after the war, and here was ballet, gracefully reclaiming its place. A hush fell over the theatre, the lights dimmed, and Margot Fonteyn was taking her bow!
Fonteyn is a name that echoes through the halls of ballet history, an icon for her elegant grace and mesmerizing talent. This particular night was magical, watching her dance was like watching an ethereal butterfly come to life on stage, her movements like whispering secrets, filled with vulnerability and hope.
I have a small piece of Fonteyn's story in my leather rucksack, a delicate, beautifully faded program from that very night at Sadler's Wells. The memories, almost tangible, come back to me - the rustle of silk as she twirled, the soft thud of her pointe shoes hitting the stage, the gasp of the audience as her solo ended. This night was filled with beauty and wonder, and as I stood there, tears pricking my eyes, I felt an undeniable connection to the timeless power of ballet, how it weaves a magic spell, offering solace even in the darkest of times.
While at Sadler's Wells, a local newspaper caught my attention. The headlines announced the re-opening of the Royal Opera House, another jewel in London's theatrical crown. Can you believe it, darlings? Even though London was still healing from war’s wounds, art and beauty were rising like phoenixes from the ashes.
London wasn't the only place brimming with ballet in 1949. The United States was experiencing its own ballet revival. I galloped Magic Meg across the Atlantic and found myself, rather magically, sitting amongst the audience at the New York City Ballet the very day they debuted the ballet "The Cage." This ballet is a little different from the classical ballet I am used to. The company had its first run of the groundbreaking “ballet of our time," in which modern dance, jazz dance, and theatrical production were blended with more traditional elements of ballet to present a truly innovative performance.
Even after galloping through history, I can still feel the excitement of that night as Jerome Robbins’ innovative "ballet of our time" made its debut. The energy was palpable. It was so thrilling to experience ballet being shaped into something exciting and new, to see dance take on new forms and new meanings.
It's wonderful to remember these times of ballet rediscovery and innovation, it shows just how vital ballet is - it can emerge even from the most difficult times and bring joy and beauty to the world.
Now, before I conclude this magical journey, I need to share a few ballet-related delights I found during my trip:
- Ballet fashion! Oh my darlings, you should have seen the fashion! While not quite a pink-tutu world, it had a charming, demure elegance - flowing skirts, pretty blouses, and tiny hats with veils. Ballet dancers were wearing beautiful tutus in pale hues, their dance costumes delicately feminine and expressive. I snagged a darling silk scarf with a ballerina print for my collection! A small tribute to those beautiful times.
- A darling ballet pamphlet from Covent Garden! This pamphlet had detailed sketches of dance costumes and even the staging plans for various ballets. It’s such a wonderful insight into how ballet productions were designed and brought to life. This gem will definitely find a home on my pink-tutu shelves!
- A story about a budding young ballerina! The pamphlet included a brief tale about a young dancer struggling to make a name for herself in a post-war world. It was heartwarming and inspiring! It reminds us all to never give up on our dreams, no matter the challenges we face.
I’m hoping that these discoveries have sparked a bit of inspiration for all of you. I hope you find joy in celebrating ballets history, and maybe even, like myself, find yourselves looking through old program pages, rediscovering vintage fashion and celebrating those who have danced before us!
Oh, darlings! I am filled with excitement already! Next month, we will travel through time to September 1980 to catch a ballet show with a legend of the dance world, the extraordinary Mikhail Baryshnikov ! I can hardly contain myself! Join me on my time-travel adventures every month here on pink-tutu.com, where tutus are always pink and ballet is always celebrated! Until next time, dance with passion!
P.S: As always, my lovely readers, you know how I love sharing the love for ballet! Have you seen a ballet production or an historical event related to dance that you'd like me to discover next month? Tell me all about it in the comments section, and I might just be able to join you for a dance across the centuries!
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