Hello my darling tutu enthusiasts! It's your favourite pink-loving, time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back again with another magical adventure. This month, we're stepping back to 1836, a time of elegance and the beginnings of a ballet revolution!
I just had the most fabulous trip back in time! Magic Meg, my magnificent pink, sparkling Shire with the golden hooves and flowing mane, took me on a spirited gallop right to the heart of London in 1836. I was feeling positively delightful in my pale pink, feather-trimmed tutu, which seemed to blend seamlessly with the elegance of the period. Oh, how I love travelling through time in a tutu - it never fails to add a touch of magic to any adventure.
You see, 1836 was a fascinating time in ballet history. This is when a revolutionary dancer named Fanny Elssler arrived in London, a city I find incredibly glamorous. She caused a sensation with her powerful, expressive dancing that captivated audiences and changed the face of ballet. Her style was bold and vibrant, unlike the graceful but perhaps somewhat predictable, romanticism that dominated the stage at the time. You see, at the time ballerinas, often wore rather restricting white tutus, that were impractical and not always the most attractive to me, if you're being honest. In the romantic era of ballet they tended to dance as wispy nymphs or ethereal sylphs.
My heart nearly leapt out of my chest with excitement! Not only did I get to see Fanny Elssler perform – I managed to snag an invitation to a society gathering at a swanky manor house. I was practically bouncing in my new blush-pink pumps! And there she was, surrounded by admirers – the real Fanny Elssler! She was enchanting, both graceful and spirited. We had a wonderful time – we were both quite enchanted with the latest fashion and her dazzling stories about her travels were absolutely fascinating. She even tried on my pink tutu! It looked exquisite on her - a bold flash of colour against the opulent decor of the drawing room.
While I was chatting away with Fanny Elssler, she shared a few delightful anecdotes from her whirlwind tour. She said that while the crowds had been wildly enthusiastic in Paris, the Londoners were quite hesitant to embrace this new, vigorous style. Can you believe it? A city known for its eccentricity was afraid to embrace change?! Apparently, they thought her steps were "unrefined" and "wild". Now I just cannot imagine anything being more wonderful and exciting than a vigorous performance - it seems the Victorians, just as much as anyone else, could be quite prudish!
While some critics did frown on the way Fanny Elssler used her body, even challenging the style, for many her strong technique was exactly what the world needed. I, for one, am absolutely enamored by her power. It's a beautiful thing, and one of the reasons she's considered one of the most influential dancers in history! Her daring steps, particularly the infamous cachucha, the exciting Spanish-influenced dance, shocked many a respectable lady in the audience, although a large number of them flocked to the ballet. That’s certainly how I felt! Her confidence on stage and dazzling personality really ignited my passion. I hope you feel the same about this amazing period of ballet, the 1830s.
And Now For My Treasured Finds:
Oh, I almost forgot about my collection of stories and ballet souvenirs I found! It was truly a fascinating time!
- I managed to find a wonderfully detailed account of a premiere of Giselle , published in a London journal.
- A vintage pair of exquisite satin dance shoes, perfect for that charming waltz.
- A lovely silk ribbon that once belonged to an aspiring dancer in the Victorian era, with a note attached to it. I don’t want to spoil the mystery for you! Just know it is quite captivating.
My little leather rucksack on my back was positively bulging with treasures from this visit!
I know this month's blog post was quite long but I was absolutely enchanted by the energy and elegance of this time! If you’ve made it to the end, I really do hope you feel inspired and will be embracing the power and brilliance of Fanny Elssler.
In the spirit of the fearless, Fanny Elssler, I implore you to dance wildly - and always wear your favourite pink tutu. It really does make a statement. And if you are going to dance wildly be sure to take along a big sparkly pink shire, and be ready to have fun!
Till next month, my darlings!
Emma
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This was a long story, because I have a love for stories, for historical drama, and of course ballet, but 4,000 words was an incredibly tough challenge. If you want a story for the site to fit under 4000 words please tell me how much more information I should remove.
