Good morning, my lovely tutu-loving friends! It's Wednesday, which means it's time for a new Vienna blog post from yours truly, Emma, your favourite pink-loving ballerina, live from the beautiful, historical, and oh-so-romantic city of Vienna! As you know, Vienna is the land of waltz, Mozart, and fabulous pastries, but did you know it's also home to a thriving ballet scene? Honestly, the inspiration here is intoxicating!
This week, I've been having the most divine time, exploring all things pink, sparkly, and twirly. I mean, really, what more could a ballerina ask for?
My week started with a morning ballet class at the Staatsoper (Vienna State Opera), the grandest opera house in the city! The instructors here are brilliant, and the studio itself was a haven of swirling silk drapes and antique barres. My class was small, with just a handful of other aspiring dancers. We did some lovely barre work, practiced some classical variations, and then spent a good hour exploring some new choreography to Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty. Let me tell you, it was so lovely!
After my class, I went shopping for a new pair of dance shoes. Let’s just say my wallet took a bit of a hit, but when you find a beautiful pair of soft, buttery-leather slippers, it's a splurge worth it! I opted for a soft peachy pink, because really, what’s a ballerina without some exquisite pink in her life? I even found the most darling tutu, made from tulle the colour of rose petals, with a little bow the shade of raspberry sorbet - absolutely perfect! It will be making an appearance in my next performance, you just wait!
That evening, I attended a magnificent performance of Giselle at the Burgtheater! Now, I am a big fan of all things Giselle, the original Romantic ballet. The Burgtheater, although primarily a dramatic theater, put on a dazzling performance of this classic. The costumes were simply gorgeous, and the ballerinas, as always, brought such passion to their roles. They were so graceful and elegant, like beautiful flowers blossoming on the stage. And as usual, my little heart went thump thump with each arabesque! You really can’t beat a good Giselle!
On Saturday, I took a break from the city centre and visited Schloss Schönbrunn (Schönbrunn Palace), one of Vienna’s most iconic royal landmarks. I went there specifically to learn about the ballet scene in the imperial court during the 18th century, and let me tell you, I was absolutely fascinated! Back then, ballet was more than just an art form, it was a crucial part of courtly etiquette and entertainment! The nobility of Vienna flocked to performances at the Schönbrunn Palace Theatre, which was a grand and elaborate space specifically designed for ballet performances. Can you imagine!
Imagine, for a moment, swirling around the palace halls, a cascade of tulle catching the light of the chandeliers as the air thrummed with the rhythm of a waltz. Sigh! How enchanting! And if that wasn’t enough, I got a peek inside the stunning Imperial Gardens, where they have recreated historical gardens, and all that pink floral delight has definitely got me inspired for my next pink tutu creation!
Sunday morning started with a delicious Viennese breakfast - rich coffee, sweet pastries, and fluffy eggs - and then a long, relaxing walk through the city. I ended up stopping at the Naturhistorisches Museum (Natural History Museum) to gaze upon their collection of dinosaurs - always a thrilling experience. But for me, the best part was the Wunderkammer – a fascinating collection of historical and natural treasures – so wonderfully Victorian, much like some of my most precious tutu adornments. I found a lovely, old hand-stitched doll in a pink silk gown with little frilly sleeves. She was so precious and delicate that it just felt like fate! And I just had to add her to my collection of dolls, even though I didn't think there was space in my suitcase. But what’s a ballerina to do when faced with such loveliness? Pink must win, always!
On Sunday evening, I got to meet up with a lovely ballet teacher, Eva, who showed me the Ballettfest poster at Rathaus – that’s Vienna Town Hall! I’ll be sure to visit next year to catch a few shows, Eva told me, and get myself tickets to one of their dazzling ballets!
Later in the evening, I popped over to a small boutique specializing in beautiful handcrafted items. Inside, nestled among handmade porcelain teacups and embroidered silk scarves, was a tiny glass case displaying the most gorgeous pink tutu, shimmering like a confectionary dream! I just had to have it! Imagine my joy – the shopkeeper even added a beautiful pair of pink ballet slippers, which were such a sweet touch!
Later that night, as I was writing my blog post at the table in my cosy little guesthouse, I noticed a stunning view from my window - the moon was casting a silvery light over the cityscape, making the Viennese architecture shimmer like diamonds. And then it hit me: I truly have stumbled upon one of the most inspiring places in the world! Vienna feels like a city frozen in time, yet still vibrantly alive with creativity, culture, and art.
This week was full of balletic wonder. But I can’t forget that travels, especially by train! My journey started on Thursday evening from beautiful, picturesque Derbyshire. The scenery, as usual, took my breath away – hills, valleys, and farmsteads. There’s nothing quite as relaxing as a long train journey. And, you just cannot beat gazing out the window at the rolling green countryside! Of course, my carriage is never quite as comfortable as my travelling horse - it can sometimes be a bit of a squeeze getting to Vienna with my massive dance bag full of tutus - but it’s worth it for the delicious train meals! What could be better than sitting back and enjoying the scenery with a pot of Earl Grey and a little something sweet? I couldn’t resist bringing my tutu along with me – a beautiful bright pink one. It hangs, perfectly displayed on the back of my chair, causing all of the train passengers to stare and smile. You should see the expressions on their faces! I’m pretty sure everyone will be heading to a pink-tutu shop after their trip on the Derbyshire-to-Vienna express. Of course, no ballerina travels without at least one spare pink tutu and matching fluffy pink shoes! It’s always a good idea to look your best whilst on the road, even on a long journey. It’s so refreshing and fabulous! And it keeps everyone in a lovely, good mood!
Vienna is indeed the heart of waltz and wonder, a place where pink dreams bloom! But enough from me for now, my darlings.
Don't forget to check out the Pink-Tutu website (www.pink-tutu.com) for more pictures and videos of my Vienna adventure!
I'm already planning my next tutu-filled adventure! I hope you’re all dancing towards your own dreams and wearing the pinkest tutu you can find. And if you’re not, you absolutely should! Because when you’re in pink, life is much, much brighter, darling!
