Pink Tutu Vienna - Blog Post #180 - 14th October 1998
Dearest Tutu-Lovers!
Greetings from the enchanting city of Vienna! The sun is shining brightly today, a crisp autumn breeze rustles the leaves, and I, your ever-so-pink ballerina, am filled with joy, having just stepped out of the exquisite Burgtheater after a breathtaking performance of The Nutcracker by the Vienna State Ballet.
My journey here has been a whirlwind, an elegant adventure fit for a princess in a fairytale! My train journey from the charming Derbyshire countryside, filled with beautiful rolling hills and quaint villages, felt like I was transported right into a storybook. The carriages were a feast for the senses: plush red velvet seats, sparkling chandeliers and a friendly gentleman in a tweed suit playing the violin, a little too loud for my delicate ears but it definitely added to the romantic ambiance. I had brought a few chapters of my tutu history book to keep me occupied and enjoyed gazing out at the picturesque landscape that whizzed past as if it were dancing for me!
Arriving in Vienna, my heart did a little pirouette. I knew immediately that this city was for me - elegant cobbled streets, beautiful baroque architecture, charming coffee houses and the sound of the Strauss waltzes echoing from every corner. What more could a pink-tutu wearing girl ask for?
My accommodation for this trip, a charming guesthouse called the "Wiener Rosl," is perfect for me - with pink roses adorning the façade and an adorable little garden where I can practise my tendu, it's just too perfect. My room is charming, filled with a whimsical mix of antiques, romantic paintings and a luxurious fluffy bed where I dream of waltzes and pirouettes.
Of course, my first stop was the Vienna State Opera. It's simply a sight to behold! The grand facade looks like a beautiful wedding cake! Inside, the interior is magnificent - rich gold decorations, plush red velvet seating and a stage worthy of a princess's grand ball. My eyes are already filled with ballet dreams! I have to confess, I purchased a delicious, pink tutu themed cookie at a quaint café near the opera house, just to celebrate this wonderful day in this majestic city.
Before attending the Nutcracker, I did what every ballet lover would do - I visited the Wiener Staatsoper, where they have an exhibition showcasing their historical ballet collection. I marveled at the delicate tutus, the glittering costumes and the beautiful photographs of legendary ballerinas of the past. My favourite piece is an elegant pink tutu with an abundance of tulle, it reminded me so much of my ballet teacher’s favourite tutu she wore when she danced Giselle back in the day.
Now, onto my Nutcracker experience...
The production was pure enchantment! The orchestra played a symphony of magical sounds that carried me away to a world of dreams. The choreography was exquisite; each step precise, elegant and poetic. The ballerinas glided effortlessly, as if they were floating on air, and the male dancers were incredibly strong and agile. They spun with incredible grace. The entire performance was visually breathtaking - from the detailed sets to the vibrant costumes. It truly sparkled, bringing to life the beloved story of the Nutcracker in a way I have never experienced before.
I sat in the second row, a prime location for observing the exquisite expressions of the ballerinas. Each dance filled me with awe; their precision and elegance gave me inspiration for my next performance in the derbyshire theatre. The energy of the dancers radiated through the whole auditorium - it was so magical.
But, even better, a pink tutu-clad young girl seated a few seats down from me was dancing along to the performance with so much passion, it made me so incredibly happy. My dream of everyone wearing a pink tutu and enjoying the joys of ballet is one step closer!
As for shopping today, it has been an exhilarating journey of pink fashion discovery. After the Nutcracker, I ventured into the enchanting Graben, Vienna's most prestigious shopping street, where I found myself in a vintage clothing boutique called "Vintage Vienna". There I stumbled upon a heavenly collection of beautiful pink and floral vintage clothing that could have been pulled right from my dream wardrobe. From pleated silk skirts to elegant blouses with floral embroidery and some gorgeous pastel-colored accessories - my heart went "ooh" and "aah"! You can be certain I'll be sharing the highlights with you all in my next Pink Tutu Fashion Friday post!
Vienna's atmosphere is like a balletic ballet: graceful, elegant, and full of artistry, which makes it so inspirational for a pink tutu ballerina like myself.
Stay tuned for more Viennese ballet magic and fashion finds in the coming days - my week here is already full of enchanting plans! And be sure to follow me on Instagram where I'll be sharing even more photos of this glorious pink adventure!
Until next Wednesday,
Love Always,
Emma xox