Hello, darlings! Emma here, back from another fantastic adventure through time with my beloved Magic Meg! Today, we're taking a trip to May 5th, 1830, a date packed with the delights of ballet history.
As always, I'm sporting my trusty pink tutu, a fabulous shade of "Blushing Blossom" from my latest London boutique find. (Do pop over to my website for a list of my favourite Parisian and London shops, darling! They're brimming with exquisite, ballet-inspired finery!). Magic Meg, ever the glamorous steed, looks absolutely magnificent in her pink sparkly harness, her white mane and tail flowing like silk in the wind as we traverse the centuries.
Our first stop was Vienna, a city with a rich ballet heritage. 1830 saw the birth of a young lady named Fanny Elssler, destined to become a true ballet superstar. Fanny, born on this very day, would become a world-famous dancer and a true inspiration for generations of ballerinas to come! Imagine, a future icon of ballet, just beginning her journey into the world of dance!
As we galloped through the cobbled streets of Vienna, we couldn't resist stopping at the Theater am Kärntnertor, where, if you were lucky enough to be a citizen of Vienna in 1830, you could see a performance of the "Faust" ballet by Ferdinand Decombe, complete with intricate steps and romantic drama! Imagine, dancing in such an exquisite venue! You could almost hear the echoes of the music and the cheers of the audience, even from our time-traveling perch on Magic Meg's back.
A dash across the continent and we found ourselves in Italy! There, we peeked into a quaint rehearsal room where young ballerinas, eager for their big break, would be practising tirelessly in the early morning. One of my favorite finds in my leather rucksack is a delicate, handwritten sheet of exercises from 1830, detailing beautiful, fluid steps! These girls were working so hard, each pose, each movement with such passion!
The ballet world, my dears, was buzzing in 1830. In Paris, where I always enjoy a grand Parisian fashion spree, dancers were mesmerized by the incredible talent of Jules Perrot. He'd just been appointed as a ballet master at the Theatre du Champs-Elysees - and I hear whispers of his "La Fille mal gardée" ballet being nothing short of captivating!
From the grandeur of Parisian theatre to the hushed grandeur of London's King's Theatre, I made a little time travel stop. On the 5th of May 1830, the renowned French ballerina Marie Taglioni graced the stage with her stunning performance in "La Sylphide". Now, "La Sylphide" was all the rage, and Marie Taglioni, oh darling, she truly was the definition of elegance, an absolute enchantress, with her lightweight, airy movements! My satchel bulged with memories of that night – her flowing tulle gown, the magical, romantic music, and the absolute adoration of the audience. Just as today, the crowd was captivated, entranced by the art and grace of dance.
Even on a trip like this, you can't escape the charm of the English countryside. So, back home to Derbyshire, my darling! It's here that I feel the purest sense of belonging and connection to the magical world of ballet. Imagine a simple barn dance with a simple story. That’s where English ballet began! And, what a delight it was to find that in Derbyshire on this day, families would be gathered for a joyful "Morris dance" , filled with vibrant colours and playful rhythms! Even the humblest of places hold beautiful echoes of dance.
As we settled down for the night, the gentle clip clop of Magic Meg's hooves reminded me of the day's journey. It was more than just ballet – it was a journey into a different time, a celebration of passion, beauty, and, of course, pink tutus. Because, my darlings, ballet is timeless, it crosses continents and epochs. We are all part of one magnificent story. Let's keep it spinning.
Next month, my loves, we're exploring 1860! I'm already dreaming up my next pink tutu creation – I think "Victorian Romance" in a delicate, lilac shade will be perfect for the era. Until then, let's dance!
P.S. Remember to follow my adventures at www.pink-tutu.com ! Share your favourite tutu-time travels in the comments below, my dears!
Lots of love and pirouettes, Emma xoxo
