#BalletHistory during 1831 11 November

Hello my darling dancers! Emma here, your very own pink tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, back with another enthralling episode of Pink Tutu Time Travel! Today marks post number 2051, and as always, I'm thrilled to take you on a journey back through ballet's illustrious past!

Grab your tutus, ladies, 'cause we're venturing to the 11th of November, 1831! Magic Meg, my trusty steed (you know, the one with the sparkling pink coat, golden hooves, and a mane like spun moonlight) is pawing at the starting line, ready to whisk us off to the enchanting era of crinolines and waltz tunes.

My trusty leather rucksack, bursting with the latest ballet treasures, is secured firmly on my back. I can practically hear the whisper of past glories - imagine the rustling of silk dresses, the lilting melodies, the soft thuds of pointe shoes on the wooden floor... it sends shivers down my spine and a pirouette to my toes!

The year is 1831. Paris, the heart of elegance and creativity, buzzes with anticipation. The ballet world is poised on the precipice of excitement as the grand Théâtre de l'Opéra unveils its newest offering – La Fille Mal Gardée! This enchanting tale of a rebellious girl and her mischievous suitor is about to be a revelation, bringing joy and laughter to all who witness it.

I simply had to get my dancing shoes into this bustling Parisian scene! Imagine it – I arrived at the Opera house, Meg (and I!) all decked out in my very best pink, sparkling tutu, a swirling explosion of pastel loveliness. The French ballet crowd was simply delighted with our pink power - whispers of "La jolie ballerina anglaise!" (that's "pretty English ballerina" to you!) rippled through the theater as we walked in!

It was pure ballet magic! The spectacle was beyond anything I could have imagined. Choreographed by Jean Coralli, this ballett comique, a playful mixture of ballet and light opera, captivated audiences with its charm and comedic brilliance.

This, dear dancers, was the ballet that ignited a true revolution. Imagine, La Fille Mal Gardée, with its romantic story, heartwarming melodies, and dazzling dancing, would become one of the world’s most loved and frequently performed ballets.

In the intervening years, ballet master after ballet master, choreographer after choreographer, has added their creative stamp. Now it's considered one of the most celebrated ballets, danced with enthusiasm by companies across the globe. But even today, 190 years on, the spirit of this charming story - that mischievous heart - remains unchanged!

But the magic wasn't just in the performance! My time-travelling adventures took me on a splendid shopping spree – Oh my darling dancers, I have never seen such gorgeous silks and velvets! The shops were bursting with fabric for tutus, each a rainbow of colors and textures, each with their own whispered promises of movement.

Then there were the shoes! Ballet slippers - sleek and dainty, like butterflies alighting on silk - sat waiting for eager ballerinas. A glimpse of these gorgeous ballet accessories, nestled in shop windows, and the dream of pirouettes just grew a little bit stronger!

And the hair! So much hair-decorating inspiration, darling dancers, with elegant bonnets, ribbons and headbands - oh, the possibilities for achieving perfect ballet style were endless!

My time travel journey wasn't just about ballet though, you know! In the bustle of the market, I picked up a couple of embroidered silk handkerchiefs and the most divine set of ivory gloves - they'll look fantastic for the ballet matinee I have booked back in Derby next month.

Oh, I must also mention the delicate scent of freshly baked croissants in the air – simply divine. But I had to restrain myself - we're only here for a day, darling dancers, so no croissants for me! My pink tutu demands constant attention, so my dancing must take precedence.

Now, you see, time travel is about more than just shopping and spectacle, my darlings. It's about discovering the ballet stories, the historical nuances, the passions that have shaped ballet throughout its history!

One of the treasures I found tucked away in a dusty attic of an antique shop was a small handwritten journal – just a small little tome with leather binding. But oh, the pages! Filled with beautifully drawn sketches of ballet postures and costumes.

On the very first page, in delicate cursive, a message in French caught my eye: "La danse, un art qui touche le cœur." – It means, "Dance, an art that touches the heart." This little journal will be a precious addition to my collection back home, you know.

As I traced the intricate patterns with my fingertips, I was reminded of the enduring spirit of ballet. I pictured these same postures and positions, the same passion, inspiring countless ballerinas and audiences long before my own time. I realized that the magic of ballet transcends time – it's a universal language that connects us across centuries, a beautiful, vibrant heartbeat that beats on!

As I step back onto Magic Meg and leave behind the echoes of 1831, my heart swells with inspiration. That old Parisian dance journal whispered stories of devotion, beauty, and grace. Stories just like your own, darling dancers. Every pirouette you spin, every graceful leap you make, each stitch of a tutu, each twinkle in your eye is woven into the very fabric of ballet’s rich tapestry.

So let your heart guide your dance, cherish your every pirouette, and never let the sparkle fade from your tutu, my darling dancers!

Remember, ballet is about much more than a pink tutu. It's about grace, it's about passion, and it's about connection. And as always, your Pink Tutu Time Traveller wishes you a wonderfully dazzling week, filled with magic and movement!

Till next month, darling dancers!

Emma, Your Pink Tutu Time Traveller

*(Don't forget to visit us at www.pink-tutu.com, where you'll find a vibrant community of fellow ballet enthusiasts. We post new blogs, pictures, videos and exciting updates monthly. Happy dancing! )