Dearest readers!
This Wednesday I'm writing to you from Vienna, a city as beautiful as a perfectly executed arabesque. It’s Wednesday, October 29th, and my tutu-clad feet are aching from a morning spent exploring the grand boulevards of this Austrian gem. The weather is crisp, the air fragrant with the scent of cinnamon and autumn leaves, and everywhere I look, there's history swirling around me like a grand pas de deux.
And let’s face it, what’s a ballet girl’s trip to Vienna without a generous dose of dancing? This weekend, I’m lucky enough to be catching two shows at the Vienna State Opera, the first being a magnificent staging of "The Sleeping Beauty" on Friday night. It’s been a dream of mine to see this masterpiece live for years, and I’m brimming with anticipation!
You know I love a good dose of ballet history, and the Vienna State Opera is practically steeped in it. It's the oldest opera house in the world! You can imagine all the legendary dancers that have graced its stage - Anna Pavlova, Vaslav Nijinsky... it just gives me chills thinking about it! It's almost like a portal into the past.
Saturday night, I’m catching "Giselle" at the Vienna Volksoper, a slightly less formal but equally magnificent venue. I'm actually quite partial to the Volksoper. It has a less formal, intimate feel, perfect for appreciating a smaller ensemble and the raw emotion of a powerful dance drama like "Giselle." It's almost like being in a secret world, hidden away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.
And speaking of raw emotion... my love of tutus knows no bounds! It's no secret that I’m a big fan of the Vienna State Ballet, and this trip has been a total dream for my tutu-loving soul. They have some of the most beautiful costumes I've ever seen, with such incredible detailing and intricate design. I've been indulging myself by buying new pink tutus - of course - at a few of the charming boutiques tucked away on the side streets here. I managed to pick up a light pink tulle creation that has the most adorable little sequins scattered all over it. Can you imagine twirling around in that in a cobblestoned alleyway? Just delightful!
Vienna's rich cultural history spills out from every doorway, onto every cobbled street corner, and into every charming cafe. But Vienna isn’t all about elegant balls and ballet performances. There’s a delightful juxtaposition of grandeur and down-to-earth, which I've discovered in the delightful street-food culture here. It’s definitely one of my favourite things about this city. My favourite food stop so far? This little stall I found by the river. They do the most divine little wurst-filled bread rolls, all for under 3 euros. I find it utterly delightful that in such a historic and ornate city, one can have a tasty bite of something so simple and good. It's like finding a hidden gem, and I love a good hidden gem, don’t you?
Speaking of treasures, I found a darling antique shop that actually had a display case full of vintage tutus. I know what you're thinking - what does a pink tutu-loving girl do in a shop like that? Well, I spent a whole hour there! It was fascinating. The shop owner told me the most beautiful stories about these tutus. It turned out one of them belonged to a former dancer from the Vienna State Opera who had donated it to the shop! You've probably guessed that I spent an excessive amount of time just admiring it. In my opinion, there’s nothing more beautiful than an aged, well-worn tutu - it tells such a story, full of sweaty nights of rehearsals and thrilling performances. I managed to purchase a lovely 1920s-style tutu that had been designed by an artist called Greta Keller - I found out she’d even performed it in a ballet called “The Seven Deadly Sins,” so, that was pretty cool. I intend on styling it with a classic white button-down blouse and some vintage pumps for a delightful ensemble next week at home. It really feels as if Vienna is encouraging me to take the style journey even further, exploring those historical aspects and reimagining them in my own unique way!
However, this wouldn’t be a Pink Tutu Vienna blog if there wasn’t a generous helping of… Pink! Luckily for me, Vienna isn’t shy about embracing the colour. They have this gorgeous, almost impossibly-pink cafe called the "Sacher Torte". They serve, of course, the famous Sachertorte, the iconic Viennese chocolate cake. It’s all velvety rich chocolate and creamy buttercream, the colour of a perfect pink ballet shoe! It’s definitely a must-visit if you're in the city. And after all that pink goodness, I finished off the evening with a ride in a horse-drawn carriage. Imagine the scenery – soft golden evening light reflecting on the Danube River, ornate buildings twinkling, and the clip-clop of hooves against the cobblestone, the sound as captivating as the most delicate music. And I was in a pink tutu! The Viennese seemed unfazed. In fact, everyone waved. You see, people here seem to accept the extraordinary, even the flamboyant, which I find incredibly refreshing!
I think my week in Vienna has confirmed one thing for me – the city's beauty is intertwined with its vibrant history, its elegant music and dance, and the magic that seems to sparkle on every corner. The tutus, the shows, the stories and the colours, the elegance and the heart of it all; they have captured my imagination and fuelled my creative fire!
And you know what? Even though I might be a little over-dressed in pink for certain situations, my heart insists on following its own beat – a rhythm set to a waltz of pink tutu-wearing fun and a dedication to all things ballet, whether it be a majestic opera house or a cobblestoned street corner! It’s a reminder to me to always embrace the magic of the moment, just like the grand ladies and gentlemen who danced on this stage before me.
Keep dancing, darling!
And stay tuned next week, because, dear reader, I’ve got a whole other world of pink tutu fashion in mind!
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
PS: For all you ballet fans, "The Sleeping Beauty" is being shown again next month on the 14th! Make sure you get your tickets now. 😉
