Hello darlings, and welcome back to my little corner of the internet, Pink-Tutu.com! December 12th, and what a glorious December day it is. A bit crisp, yes, but the sun's peeking through the clouds just enough to give us a little sparkle – and I'm all about sparkle. This month, I've whisked myself off to Vienna, Austria, for a bit of Christmas cheer and some, oh-so-wonderful, ballet. Vienna is just so elegant – all golden buildings, tinkling Christmas carols, and the scent of freshly baked strudel. Truly delightful!
Now, I know what you're thinking - ballet in Vienna in December? A touch chilly for a delicate little tutu, wouldn't you think? Not this little ballerina! I've brought my warmest cashmere coat and a thick fur shawl (oh, how I love the feel of fur! So decadent!) But there's something magical about dancing on stage under the glittering chandelier, the music swirling around you like a waltz. Vienna is just made for ballet. It's full of romance, tradition, and yes, a dash of pomp and circumstance, and what's a ballet without a good dose of pomp?
Speaking of pomp, our friend the Emperor of Austria, Franz II (I do like a man with an impressive title!), was in a particularly grand mood back in 1794. You see, December 12th marked his wedding anniversary, and I couldn't imagine a better time to catch a performance. Now, Vienna doesn't have a dedicated opera house quite yet, but their Burgtheater was still undergoing renovations. Not a problem, really, because we're not just talking about a mere ballet here. Oh no! It was a gala affair – a performance of a whole ballet opera! Fancy, wouldn't you say? Imagine! Singing, dancing, all bundled into one, extravagant, glamorous performance. Now, that's how you do a celebratory event.
I managed to score a rather spectacular seat – just a little too close for comfort when that grand chandelier comes wobbling. You see, my dears, there wasn't a ceiling for much of the building's ceiling back in 1794. Just beams and a huge hole for all the dust to gather, but it does mean I had a grand view. My favourite part of the performance had to be the "L'Arlequin" – such a daring dance, a veritable whirlwind of grace and leaps! Imagine my delight! Not a tutus in sight, just beautiful costumes, full of rich fabrics, colour, and glitter. It must have been a riot of movement, all shimmering in the flickering candlelight – oh the sheer romance of it all!
But alas, time travelling can be exhausting, and my little Pink tutu has to pack its bags for another month. I must confess, I already have a hankering for my next trip. It wouldn't be Christmas without a good dollop of festive cheer, and this month has been such a joy! Don't forget to leave a comment down below and let me know which ballet time-travel you'd like to see me embark on next. My darling steed, Magic Meg, is already snorting excitedly. You know what they say – the pinker, the better! Until next month darlings!
Ballet Happenings in the Past:But it wasn't just the ballet opera that was making waves in the world of ballet. Oh no, December 12th was full of delightful happenings:
Italy: The Birthplace of Ballerina – 1794 marked a momentous year for ballet in Italy. We all know Italy was where ballet had its humble beginnings, right? And while many believe the grand tutu made its appearance around this time, alas, my research suggests otherwise! It's quite possible the tutus, at least as we know them now, weren't quite the centrepiece in Italian ballets. I'll definitely need to look into that, my dear friends, so keep your eyes peeled for future blogs about it. For now, I've been diligently writing about it in my ballet travel journal – I always love a little mystery.
France: The Centre of Choreography - This December in Paris, choreographer Jean-Georges Noverre's new piece 'Les Fêtes de Thétis' was getting everyone talking. Noverre was quite the innovator, a real star of ballet, always thinking up exciting, modern, new things. This time, it's all about the power of the gods – exciting, isn't it? And of course, Noverre himself is said to have been a flamboyant, theatrical fellow. Can't you just picture him, darling, with a flourish and a dramatic, long bow as the audience applauds his every move? I simply love that artistic passion, that dramatic flair that lives in the heart of a true dancer.
England: A Celebration of Elegance – And here in England, my home country, we were having a glorious Christmas season. Although not on a grand, lavish scale like the Viennese ballet opera, England had its share of theatrical shows to enchant our festive souls. There was a "Grand Christmas Pantomime" in London with stunning costumes, comedy, music, and, of course, dancing. Can't you imagine, the whole world caught up in the magic of the moment?
This trip required a special look. What else can a girl do but turn to the queen of ballet herself, the iconic Carlotta Grisi? You know, darling, Carlotta loved a touch of pink, too! Just a bit more pastel than my usual vibrant fuchsia. For this outing, I went for a beautiful blush pink tutu, crafted with the finest tulle and adorned with delicate pearl beads.
I paired it with a simple white chemise – always a must-have, my dears – and some fabulous lace-up ankle boots. And of course, to really capture the Viennese elegance, a touch of shimmer: a delicate diamond choker, and matching pink earrings. I finished it off with my trademark white-trimmed ballet slippers – always ready for an impromptu twirl, right?
Now, while I couldn't get my hands on an authentic pink tutu from the era – it seems a good one was quite rare in those days, dear – my little rucksack on the back is stuffed with historical gems. For example, a lovely, hand-stitched satin ribbon – that's just asking to be worn as a dainty hair bow!
Until Next Month...It's time to pack up my bag – and by "bag" I mean my rucksack full of new ballet-inspired finds, memories, and historical gems! But my lovelies, there's so much more to share. Don't forget to keep checking in – I have tons of ballet tales to tell. I've been reading about dancers across the globe - a wonderful Russian ballerina in Saint Petersburg who made everyone weep, and a fiery young Spaniard who shook up the Parisian scene! Until next month, my dear readers, keep dancing with joy.
XOXO
Emma
