Wednesday, 18th April 2001
Guten Tag, my darlings! It's Emma, back from the most delightful jaunt to Vienna, the City of Music, the City of Dreams, the City of... well, you get the picture!
As you know, this week is all about embracing our inner ballerina and waltzing into spring with a smile as wide as the Ringstrasse. And wouldn't you know it, Vienna has absolutely everything a tutu-wearing gal could wish for. It's like stepping into a fairytale, complete with cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, and a sprinkle of waltz magic in the air!
This trip was a whirlwind of tulle and triumph. From the moment I hopped onto that sleek, silver train, all I could think about was twirling around the magnificent Vienna State Opera House, sipping a cuppa from a charming Viennese café, and oh, how I've dreamed of dancing in the gardens of Schönbrunn Palace!
Vienna is the perfect backdrop for a ballerina. The city practically pulsates with rhythm, whispering of the legendary waltz, the Viennese school of ballet, and oh, the countless ballrooms that have hosted some of history's most glamorous waltzes!
Before I set off for my first performance at the beautiful Musikverein, I simply had to pick out a new pink tutu, right? Because Vienna is a haven for fashion lovers, and I confess, I haven't left my room since arriving, I've been lost in a whirlwind of tulle, silks, and shimmering fabrics. I've discovered the most beautiful shop on the Graben - filled with Parisian lace, delicate ribbons, and shimmering pink satin that could only have been spun by the fairies themselves! Let me tell you, I emerged a little poorer but considerably prettier. It was simply an unforgettable shopping spree!
I found myself the most delightful pink tutu for tonight's performance - an ethereal shade of blush, adorned with glittering sequins and delicate, hand-crafted flowers, each bloom shimmering with tiny pearls. A ballet performance is so much more than a mere performance in Vienna. It's an elegant affair, an immersive experience where music, dance, and passion intertwine like threads on a beautiful silk tapestry. It was in one of these very halls that Johann Strauss once wrote some of the world's most beautiful waltzes - and tonight, I'll be bringing those waltzes to life with every twirl and every leap.
A little history for my dear lovelies: You know I simply can't travel without delving into the local history! Vienna, and indeed the whole of Austria, has a long and fascinating relationship with the ballet. You know, it all began right here in the heart of Vienna, back in the 18th century when Empress Maria Theresa, with her fondness for dance and performance, founded the Wiener Hofoper (Vienna Court Opera). But it wasn't just about spectacle, it was also about artistry!
Over the next centuries, Vienna’s ballet school thrived, becoming world-renowned. And those illustrious names, like Karl Albrechtsberger and Johann Strauss, well, their stories were woven with ballet! Their waltz tunes, their majestic melodies - they filled those beautiful theatres with pure musical magic. You can still hear echoes of their masterpieces at every turn in Vienna. It truly is the city that waltzes.
And my darling tutu lovers, we mustn't forget about the tutus themselves. Back in the day, they weren't these dreamy, cloud-like creations we know today. The first tutus were essentially short, ruffled skirts worn by ladies of the court. But just imagine - those delicate fabrics twirling on the stage in a Viennese ballroom. That's where the magic began!
Tonight, as I grace the stage of the Musikverein, I will not only be dancing to the sounds of the Viennese waltzes but also honoring the legacy of ballet in this breathtaking city. The stage lights, the roar of the crowd, the rhythm in my veins, the magic in the air - I am simply bursting with excitement!
Now, my lovelies, it's time to get ready! I'll share a few photos and a peek at my performance on the blog soon, but for now, I have a dance to prepare for! Oh, and by the way, you wouldn't believe the enchanting horses that will be taking me around Vienna this week. It's a truly royal affair! I'll share more on that soon.
Until next week, darling friends, keep twirling!
Your devoted tutu aficionado, Emma xox
