Wednesday 30th March 2011
Guten Tag, darlings! I hope this Wednesday finds you twirling with joy, just like me. It's a bit chilly here in Vienna today, but nothing a fluffy pink scarf and my trusty little tutu can't handle.
Vienna is simply enchanting. It's a city that practically vibrates with music and culture, and itās making my inner ballerina giddy with delight! I landed here last Saturday, and since then I've been swept away by the magic of waltzing through history, experiencing a whirl of exquisite ballet, beautiful fashion, and delicious pastries.
It's hard to know where to start! This week, let's begin with a little waltz into Viennese ballet history, shall we?
A Trip to The Vienna State Opera:
On Monday evening, I had the absolute pleasure of seeing the legendary Vienna State Opera perform Mozart's āThe Marriage of Figaro.ā Oh my, the sheer brilliance! I was dazzled by the opulent sets, the flawless costumes, and the incredible talent of the singers. There's nothing quite like opera, my dears, to ignite the soul and lift the spirit. It was like stepping back in time to a world of grace and elegance.
Speaking of grace and elegance, let's talk fashion! The Viennese ladies are masters of sophisticated style. The most captivating thing about their style is that they manage to achieve a look that's both chic and comfortable, which is not easy! I spent a delightful morning browsing through boutiques on the KƤrntner StraĆe, the city's main shopping street. I couldn't resist picking up a few new ballet flats - the perfect shoe for dancing the day away in Vienna!
Of course, no trip to Vienna is complete without a visit to the famous Schƶnbrunn Palace. This magnificent royal residence is not only breathtakingly beautiful, but it has a strong connection to ballet history. The Habsburg emperors and empresses were passionate patrons of the art form, and Schƶnbrunn has hosted countless ballet performances throughout the centuries.
The palace gardens are the perfect setting for a twirling session. I could just imagine myself performing a graceful waltz, with the glorious Vienna State Opera orchestra playing in the background, all amidst the beauty of Schƶnbrunn. Oh, to be a princess in this city!
Horses & Fashion, my loves, Horses & Fashion!
Later in the afternoon, I took a romantic ride through the Wiener Prater, Viennaās huge public park. Imagine, galloping on horseback beneath the swaying boughs of ancient trees! I was reminded that Vienna has a deep and fascinating connection with horses. After all, this was once the centre of the mighty Habsburg Empire, where horses were not only a symbol of power, but were vital to daily life and the grandeur of imperial processions.
Back in Derbyshire, I used to dream of becoming a dressage rider, you know? My favourite book as a little girl was āBlack Beauty.ā (That gorgeous horse, the beautiful countryside! Sigh.). I spent hours twirling around my bedroom in my pink tutu, imagining myself winning the Olympia for the perfect pirouette, clad in a shimmering dressage outfit.
Thankfully, in this era of the fabulous internet, you can still learn about everything. It turns out the equestrian arts have long held a special place in the heart of Vienna's ballet. They influenced costume design, choreography and the history of the dance itself. I'm starting to plan my next trip to see some Lipizzan stallions, those incredible dancing steeds of the Spanish Riding School! Can't you just see me on the grandstand wearing my newest tutu?
Speaking of ballet...
The pinnacle of my trip was the performance at the Vienna State Ballet. I am, of course, always seeking new experiences for you, my lovelies. The show this week is called "La Sylphide," a Romantic ballet from 1832.
āLa Sylphideā tells the tale of a beautiful sylph, an ethereal creature who belongs to the realm of nature. She falls in love with a human man, James, a young man who finds himself torn between two worlds - the earthly and the ethereal. Itās quite a whirlwind of passion, adventure, and tragedy! A classic ballet masterpiece.
You can just imagine my little pink tutu twirling happily with the ballet company! The delicate dance of La Sylphide truly captured my heart, and left me wanting to see it again. It felt like something from a dream ā a tale of magic, love and adventure!
You know how much I love those stories from childhood, about princesses, fairies, and dancing in enchanted woods, with fairies and mischievous sprites. Thatās what Vienna reminds me of. A storybook world! Of course, this magical feeling has so much to do with the magnificent settings. They're always breathtaking and just like something out of a dream.
I also spent some time in the Vienna State Ballet library researching the history of tutus. Let me tell you, there's an amazing collection here! Theyāve got everything from ancient sketches and diagrams to the earliest, and letās face it, rather rudimentary tutus, right up to the breathtaking modern masterpieces of today. It was amazing to witness the evolution of this iconic garment, from the modest beginnings to the full-skirted glamour we know and love!
And you know what? Even in Vienna, I am discovering the fascinating links between ballet and fashion. The beauty of the dance comes from more than just the movement; the costume has always played an equally vital role in telling the story! Iāll tell you more about that soon! I have some photos from the library of my favourites, the ones that I simply have to wear. They are the perfect inspiration for a ballet themed outfit or even my next ballet performance!
This past week has been filled with inspiring beauty and unforgettable experiences. And trust me, dear friends, this is only the beginning of my Viennese adventure! Thereās still so much more to explore - palaces, museums, more opera, even some special historical horse-drawn carriage rides. (Iāve spotted them in the streets, and my inner-princess is just bubbling with excitement!). I will let you in on those next week, darling. Donāt forget, check in Wednesday, right here on www.pink-tutu.com for my next blog! Until then, keep twirling and dancing, your lovely
Emma
x x x
