Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels, my lovely lovelies!
It's your favourite tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, back again for post number 1536, taking you on another thrilling journey through the fascinating world of ballet! This month, Magic Meg, my sparkling pink shire horse with her golden hooves and flowing white mane, whisked me off to a most dazzling date: 12th December 1788!
Can you believe it's been over two hundred years since we last travelled together, my darlings? Well, never fear, because my rucksack is overflowing with new stories, secrets, and absolutely exquisite ballet treasures that I just have to share!
A Viennese Waltz:
We found ourselves in the vibrant heart of Vienna, a city brimming with culture and art. This period marked a particularly exciting moment in ballet history - it was the time of the Vienna Imperial Ballet and its renowned choreographer, Antonio Salieri! He was an absolute star back then, just as much as those big-name dancers are now.
Our journey began at the Burgtheater, a truly stunning building. Imagine my delight as we watched the most extraordinary production! The piece was "Le Chevalier Errant," (The Wandering Knight), by the maestro, Salieri himself. My heart was in my throat as the graceful dancers spun tales of knights, quests, and, of course, a beautiful ballerina!
Oh, the costumes were so intricate and fabulous! My fingers itched to stroke the elegant velvets and shimmering silks of the ladies' attire. The gentlemen looked every bit the dashing heroes in their breeches and jackets. But it was the female dancers that truly stole the show. They wore flowing tulle skirts, sparkling bodices and, what’s this? I spied an early version of the tutu – a tiny little whisper of a skirt that would inspire the full-blown, magnificent tutu creations that I love to wear!
Ballet Royalty:
You know how much I adore a good gossip! Turns out this gala was even more special, because it included an audience of royals. We were lucky to be seated beside Emperor Leopold II himself, an ardent supporter of the arts, and Empress Maria Louisa.
Let’s just say the emperor’s enthusiasm for ballet was quite evident – he looked entirely enthralled throughout the performance. He was clapping, he was cheering – imagine the gossip back in the drawing rooms the following week! It makes my heart flutter just thinking about the regal joy of experiencing such a remarkable piece of artistry.
The Parisian Connection:
We know that French influence was HUGE in ballet at this time, and here in Vienna, it was all the rage. While the Burgtheater was awash with the beauty of Viennese elegance, a rumour buzzed about that the Emperor was set to launch a brand new opera house! Talk about dedication to the arts!
Now, it’s not just ballet we are interested in – but everything connected to it, right? What we discovered was an absolute goldmine! The French choreographer Jean-George Noverre had been brought to Vienna as a key figure in the theatre world.
Why was this such a huge deal? Noverre was a genius! He was all about making ballet more theatrical, expressive, and, dare I say it, emotional! It was he who began to ditch the traditional French ballet and bring a touch of true theatrical drama into every step! Talk about revolutionary!
I absolutely love discovering these historical tidbits – the stories behind the art! It really helps bring the past to life.
Bringing The Ballet Home:
I must confess, Vienna is one of my favourite places to visit! So many incredible stories, elegant balls, and stunning buildings!
You know I always bring back special trinkets to inspire my dancing and help keep this magnificent art form alive in our own time. This time I have unearthed a beautiful piece of fabric from the theatre, as well as some original designs of “Le Chevalier Errant.” Can you believe it, darling? Imagine me studying these and perhaps adapting them into a truly show-stopping tutu for our next pink-tutu performance!
Now, I think a special pink cupcake is definitely in order to celebrate this amazing journey. As you're reading this, I'm in my ballet studio, planning a choreography to incorporate some of the magic I discovered in Vienna. Oh, and Magic Meg is back in her stable, snorting happily and being rubbed down with the very finest, softest pink polish.
And remember, darlings, my vision remains clear: Every woman deserves to feel like a beautiful ballerina, in a gorgeous, pink tutu. I'm hoping these tales, these travels, these inspiring discoveries will help us all celebrate the world of dance – and its spectacular history.
See you in January, when we travel to a new destination with another fabulous pink-tutu story!
Yours always in Pink, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
