Wednesday 3rd November 2010
Oh, darling, Vienna! You truly are a city that gets me going – so grand, so romantic, and the architecture just begs to be photographed. And of course, the ballet is divine. It's no wonder the likes of Strauss and Mozart graced this city with their beautiful tunes – inspiration is everywhere!
This week, darling, has been a whirlwind. I arrived from a rather enchanting trip to Prague (my blog about the magical cobbled streets and breathtaking scenery is up on www.pink-tutu.com) and waltzed straight into a rather chic Vienna ballet rehearsal. The energy here is electric. Everyone’s all twirls and turns, pinks and tulle, and a palpable sense of dedication.
Now, let's talk tutus, shall we? A truly spectacular ballet-related moment, dear reader, was finding a shop that sold genuine tutus used for performances by Vienna State Ballet – the grand opera ballet! Imagine, all that history and grandeur, and you can actually buy the tutus from their actual productions. I had to stop myself from purchasing half a dozen. Well, almost. I did get myself the perfect powder pink creation, very light and floaty, so expect to see photos soon – Instagram ready!
A quick detour to the beautiful Naschmarkt to admire the selection of exquisite, bright flowers was definitely a must-do on this week's itinerary, darling. My eye caught sight of a gorgeous bunch of bright pink peonies – divine! They just screamed "Emma" - they're being treated to a spot in my hotel room until I leave tomorrow, and I am certainly going to be posting snaps of them.
Later on, I was thrilled to snag a seat at the opera itself. This majestic house was truly stunning. The acoustics, darling! It simply made every note of the performance vibrate, bringing chills to my very core. What an unforgettable evening. It wasn’t all drama and high notes, though. I treated myself to some fabulous chocolates from the Viennese chocolaterie Demel, right next door. Pink, naturally, darling, just like the rose water macaroons! I always appreciate a little luxury while on tour.
Today, the sun is shining, and a trip to Schönbrunn Palace beckons. The Vienna Hofburg, which I wandered through earlier in the week, simply blew me away. Imagine! Kings, emperors, and queens living in this regal splendour. I was simply enraptured by all the plush velvets, intricate embroidery, and gilt gilded frames. Every inch is history!
Speaking of history, did you know, dear reader, that one of the first "tutus" wasn't quite the image you see today? They weren't always delicate and flowing! You might even consider it shocking, but it was first adopted in the 1800s for ballets by the Parisian Opera as it allowed ballerinas a wider range of movement. The crinolines of the time (much like a giant, ruffled petticoat) got in the way and limited freedom. Who could believe that a shorter, tighter version was actually more liberating! It opened the doors to graceful jumps and even grand pirouettes, and thankfully tutus have evolved ever since, into a range of gorgeous shapes, sizes, colours, and fabrics.
While in the heart of this musical city, I had to go and indulge myself in a visit to the Vienna Musikverein. Darling, just a walk past that building is pure music. Can you imagine? I would move here in a heartbeat, just to live a few blocks away from such an inspirational masterpiece of a place! I felt my spirit simply singing and swaying!
Now, I’m going to take my final Vienna waltz this week. As a proper Viennese, darling, it seems almost a sin to be in this city and not have an indulgent afternoon enjoying cakes and coffees with an air of exquisite elegance. And to add a bit of "Emma" to the occasion, a vibrant pink dress, of course, will be my attire! My evening plans are, you guessed it, more theatre and ballet – can you really get enough, darling?
For all my followers out there, it seems my love for pink has no boundaries. It even works its magic on the ballet! If you happen to see a young English ballerina, decked in pink with a dazzlingly bright pink tutu, twirling in a show this weekend, it’s probably me. I might even be singing along to the tunes. The best part? My adventures in Vienna don't end here. I’ve already planned a trip to Venice – so much more inspiration is around the corner, dear readers.
Stay tuned,
Emma xoxo
