Hello darlings! Itās Wednesday, and you know what that meansā¦ a new Pink Tutu Vienna post, fresh from the heart of Austria! This week, Iām absolutely brimming with excitement after my weekend of waltzing through the cobbled streets and grand balls of Vienna, where the pink tulle simply flowed like the Danube River!
Vienna has a special place in my heart - I mean, the waltz, the Strauss, the music, the history - itās almost as if it were created to twirl in a tutu! As you know, my mission in life is to spread the love of pink tutus, and Vienna truly embodies the spirit of delicate tulle, opulent finery and a certain je ne sais quoi that makes me want to float on air.
Now, letās rewind to my arrival, which of course, was a rather romantic train journey, complete with a classic "seat-facing-the-sun" window seat for optimal twirling. You see, even when Iām not performing on stage, Iām always dancing, and travelling by train allows me to really embrace my inner ballerina. Itās like a long, slow pirouette!
Once I touched down in Vienna, the first thing I did, of course, was find a suitable tea room to sip a cup of English Breakfast and sketch out my itinerary for the weekend. This, as you can imagine, involved an extensive list of ballet performances, museums dedicated to ballet history, and some rather exquisite fashion stores that I just had to visit! I mean, a ballerina simply cannot resist a bit of sartorial indulgence, can she?
I canāt begin to describe how absolutely thrilled I was to discover a shop specialising in handmade tutus. Imagine, rows upon rows of vibrant tulle, cascading ruffles in every shade of the rainbow, and oh-so-much pink. It was practically heaven for a girl with my tastes! I found myself wandering through the shop, lost in a wonderland of fabric and fluff, emerging an hour later with a new blush-pink tutu for my upcoming performance. It is simply divine.
Later that day, I went to see āThe Sleeping Beautyā at the Vienna State Opera. It was absolutely breath-taking! From the costumes to the set design, every detail was pure perfection, and the dancers were phenomenal, simply gliding across the stage with a grace and fluidity that left me utterly mesmerised. Of course, it goes without saying that I was wearing my signature pink tutu, adding a dash of my own personal touch to the already breathtaking production.
But Vienna wasnāt just about grand opera houses. It was about strolling through the historic centre, marveling at the baroque architecture, and soaking up the cultural energy that vibrated in every corner. I visited the magnificent Schƶnbrunn Palace, which was simply bursting with history. Did you know that Marie Antoinette was born in this palace? Can you imagine, darling, being born in a palace surrounded by beauty and elegance! No wonder she loved fashion.
And who can talk about Vienna without mentioning its musical legacy? The city practically resonates with Mozart, Beethoven, Schubert, and Strauss. It was a joy to sit in the beautiful Musikverein, the concert hall where the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra plays, and to listen to the sublime strains of classical music. Even my feet wanted to twirl with joy!
Another highlight of the weekend was the Vienna Opera Ball. Oh, my! The sheer elegance, the formal gowns, the perfect hair, and, of course, the men in their beautiful tails! It was a true fairytale come to life. The music, the dancing, the sheer joy ā It truly felt like something out of a Walt Disney film. I had to wear a special pink tutu, of course, but this one was a touch more sophisticated, adorned with a little lace and a touch of silver shimmer for a touch of Viennese grandeur.
One of the things I find so fascinating about ballet history is how deeply intertwined it is with history. The grand balls, the aristocratic life, the social rituals ā it all connects to the story of ballet, its evolution, and the beautiful traditions that are passed down through the generations. Here in Vienna, you feel it everywhere, in the waltz, the beautiful palaces, the air of culture that infuses the city, and of course, in the legacy of their extraordinary dancers.
There are so many exciting things happening here in Vienna, dear readers, and Iāll be back next week with more of my exciting escapades, so do make sure to check back next Wednesday on www.pink-tutu.com for another pink-tastic update!
Until next time,
Keep on twirling!
Emma xxx
P.S. Did you know:
- Ballet history and tutu history are inextricably linked! The first tutus were created for the French court and were known as crinolines, which was quite far removed from the streamlined style we see today.
The term "tutu" originally meant "little gauze", but in time came to be synonymous with ballet clothing. It is said that the iconic tulle, billowing skirt tutu, that we love to see in performance was actually designed by a man named Carlo Blasis in 1832. How fabulous is that!
Did you know the Viennese Waltz has its own very special choreography? Each ānaturalā step corresponds to forward and back while the "turn" corresponds to a slight turning of the body sideways. If you are a ballerina (or aspiring to be) you have to give this dance a try, its simply mesmerising.
