Ciao Bella!
Welcome back to Pink Tutu Milan, your weekly dose of pink, pirouettes, and Italian sunshine!
It’s Wednesday 7th July 2004, and as usual, I’m bursting with excitement to share all the glitz, glamour, and grandiosity of Milan with you lovely lot! This week’s post is extra special because… drum roll please… it's totally inspired by two incredible shows I saw last night! Can you imagine? Double the drama, double the twirls, and double the sequins – it’s been a truly magical evening!
Now, as a seasoned ballet aficionado (and seasoned traveller too – I'm definitely not new to hopping on trains and trams!), I know what you're thinking. You're probably thinking, "Emma, my dear, it must be SO glamorous being a travelling ballerina in Milan!". And you'd be right! Milan is just about the most stylish city in the whole wide world, and I get to be a part of it.
Don’t get me wrong, it's not always easy being a solo ballerina funding my own adventures, but what a life! This week, it was the generosity of the lovely folks in Derbyshire (thank you, Derbyshire!) who came to see me dance a special piece at a fundraising performance for a local charity that’s got me all set for my week of adventures here in Milan. It’s wonderful to see the way everyone is so willing to help support a good cause… and to get to dance in a beautiful tutu while I’m at it!
So, with a full dance bag, my pink tutu ready to go, and my heart brimming with excitement, I hopped on the train, ready for the magic of Milan! The journey here was breathtaking, the landscape painted with green hills and fields of bright yellow sunflowers, which of course, reminded me of the most fantastic, perfectly fluffy tutu I saw in a shop just last week (you can check out my latest shopping haul in next week’s post!). I absolutely love how train journeys allow you to see the countryside, letting your imagination wander with every twist and turn of the landscape… it’s a magical journey, not just from one place to another, but to another world!
Arriving at the train station, the smell of freshly baked croissants wafting in from the nearest café made me know that I was in for a treat! Milan, it turns out, doesn’t just serve up fabulous ballet, but exquisite pasticceria too. Honestly, who can resist a croissant when they are made to perfection with crisp, flaky layers of delicious, buttery goodness? The world’s a prettier place with pastries this perfect!
Today, my schedule is jam-packed with fabulousness, of course, starting with…
- Coffee at a café (what’s better than a croissant? One with coffee!).
- Ballet shopping spree! You know that a true ballerina needs a fabulously curated wardrobe for those “in between” show moments when you’re simply wandering around. I’m in the mood for something silky, in the most vibrant of pinks (a shade somewhere between fuchsia and strawberry – that's how pink my mood is!). I think a flowing pink maxi dress might be just the thing! And perhaps a matching pink headband (never underestimate the importance of a perfect headband! It can totally complete the look.)
- Taking a leisurely stroll through the streets. Milan is a treasure trove of architecture, full of buildings adorned with exquisite carvings, statues and colourful mosaics. If you’re visiting Milan and only have time to do one thing, then you absolutely have to wander its historical streets and absorb all its majestic grandeur!
- A bit of “ballet street!” I’ll be spending a few hours at Piazza Duomo watching some local street dancers. This area’s perfect for getting some impromptu inspiration for new moves, as it attracts talented street performers from all over Italy, some doing ballet, others contemporary and hip-hop!
- Checking out some Italian dance stores for all those fabulous dance necessities. This will be my mission for tomorrow! After spending an afternoon wandering through Milan’s vintage shops for dance attire yesterday (don’t even start with how excited I am for that haul!) , it’s high time to hit up the local dance stores for new footwear, tights, and maybe some fun leotards too!
- *Finally, in the evening… THE SHOW! * This is what you've all been waiting for, my dearies! Tonight, I'll be catching a stunning performance of "Romeo and Juliet" by one of the city's most esteemed ballet companies. I cannot wait to feel the emotion, the drama, the twirling… It’s going to be absolutely spectacular!
And it was!
“Romeo and Juliet” at the Teatro alla Scala last night was a total feast for the senses!
If I could compare a show to a cake, I would say last night's “Romeo and Juliet” would be a magnificent chocolate mousse: perfectly airy and light with a hint of bitter sweetness at just the right moments. The choreography was flawless, so effortlessly smooth and flowing with all the energy and emotion of a full, expressive orchestra in each dancer’s performance.
You could truly see the connection the dancers had with their roles – the story simply unfolded before us as if a fairytale coming alive onstage. All of them gave their hearts and souls to each movement. The choreography seemed to dance around you and capture your attention – as if they were speaking straight to your soul through graceful leaps and poignant stillness. I could have watched them for hours! They certainly gave a whole new meaning to the phrase “dying for a dance”, the sheer artistry on show made every twist, turn and leap breathtakingly beautiful, and I think even the most stoic of hearts would have melted at the beautiful tragedy and bittersweet passion on stage.
The atmosphere in the theater was electrifying - from the beautifully decorated and ornate ceiling above us to the hush of anticipation that descended over the audience in the moments before the curtain rose… even those sitting at the back seemed to be totally swept away by the beauty of it all. I honestly felt myself transported into Shakespeare’s world!
As if this were not enough to turn my dance dreams into a complete and total whirlwind of magical experiences, later in the evening I was fortunate to attend a performance of "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" in the heart of Milan's city park, right under the stars.
I truly loved seeing "A Midsummer Night’s Dream" performed under a clear sky full of twinking stars, it made for a most enchanting and whimsical atmosphere. There was something incredibly special about the sheer magic of being outside while witnessing this iconic tale.
But more than that, there was a beautiful community vibe about it. People from all walks of life were there, from tourists with wide eyes to locals enjoying a lazy evening, to the students I had been practicing with at a local ballet school earlier in the day! The dance community in Milan truly has the most magical vibe! Everyone from those who were complete beginners taking their first steps in ballet to experienced, skilled dancers, were drawn together by this performance and brought together under a beautiful starry sky. There’s truly no better way to see a performance of a classic, beloved play than on a warm summer evening, under a starry sky in the most incredible setting!
Speaking of “the most incredible setting”, there's another special reason this week's blog is going to be even more special than usual. Today is… a day off from dance class! That’s right – I'm making a complete escape from ballet!
Now, a normal ballerina would use this time to catch up on some rest… but we’re not normal! And what’s a better way to unwind from two incredible ballet performances than a beautiful picnic in the Parco Sempione? (a gorgeous green space in the heart of Milan with lots of fun statues, manicured gardens, and lovely spots to simply sit back and relax.) I've been stocking up on sandwiches and fruity salads, so come and join me for an al fresco lunch! And as usual, feel free to get your picnic baskets ready too and join me virtually.
Speaking of al fresco dining, I’ve heard tell of this quaint trattoria right around the corner from Parco Sempione. A hidden little gem serving some of the best Italian food – it is said to be run by an absolute master of making delicious Italian cuisine with a genuine passion for bringing traditional flavors to the table! I have heard their pizza is incredible – I will be ordering pizza pronto… perhaps followed by a delectable plate of panna cotta to make the whole affair deliciously decadent!
So, this week's “Pink Tutu Milan” has definitely been filled to the brim with magic! And it wouldn't be complete without a bit of fashion now, would it? For tonight, I am planning to wear a floaty white dress for that romantic Shakespearean vibes with a hint of Italian sunshine about it. It’s perfect for an evening out… especially under the stars!
What could be more exciting than a beautifully handcrafted and tailored white sundress, perfect for making me feel light and ethereal like a ballerina in a dream, in Milan’s warm and sultry evening air? It is my hope that this romantic, floaty, and absolutely fabulous dress will bring out that carefree, romantic summer mood for a magical evening. I'm going to add some extra “je ne sais quoi” by throwing on my newest pair of sparkly ballet pumps and my very special pink tutu… just to complete the look with a touch of Pink Tutu magic. And I am absolutely planning on getting my favourite, slightly pink-tinted, feather boa (I always do!), a perfect touch of flamboyant fashion to complement that playful summer feel, and my ever-present, slightly larger than average handbag to hold all the important things – you know, the ballet essentials (and a little touch of extra lipstick and gloss to match).
Now that the day is already half-gone… and after what has been a fantastically busy and utterly enchanting day for dancing, I'm calling it a wrap! Until next week, my dear readers, stay fabulous and get ready to spin…
P.S. If you've made it this far and you've loved what you've read – then spread the love! Let's take Pink Tutu Milan to new heights. Share my post on all the socials, leave a lovely comment… tell the whole world about Pink Tutu Milan! I love connecting with all of you! And if you want to say hello… I'm often checking out Instagram, where you can find me @Emma_PinkTutu! Remember, you can find me every week at www.pink-tutu.com every Monday! See you there!
