Hello, lovelies! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, dedicated to all things pink, twirling, and, of course, ballet! It's your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, here, and today we're stepping back in time to 12th December, 1871.
This month, my trusty steed, Magic Meg, has taken me to the heart of Paris, the city of lights, the city of fashion, the city of... ballet! Ooh la la! 🇫🇷
The year 1871 is an interesting one for the world of ballet. Paris, still recovering from the tumultuous events of the Franco-Prussian war, was a bubbling cauldron of artistic expression.
While the Opera Garnier, the jewel in Paris's crown, continued its impressive productions, a new ballet emerged from the shadow of the Palais Garnier: La Danse by Arthur Saint-Léon!
This revolutionary piece, which I was lucky enough to see, was a groundbreaking production, not for its plot, but for its breathtaking beauty. La Danse used a simplified set and minimal props, allowing the dancers' grace and the dramatic flow of the choreography to take centre stage. And it truly was a feast for the eyes! The use of long, flowing lines and captivating tableaux were simply magnificent! It even used the new and fashionable French corsets in the dancers' costumes - Talk about a fusion of fashion and performance!
I must say, as much as I loved the elegance of the choreography, I felt an odd pang of longing for the grandness of the traditional ballets like Swan Lake, or Giselle, with their beautiful storylines and exquisite costumes. Perhaps, this longing for something deeper than just exquisite movement, would set the stage for future ballets like Sleeping Beauty with its delightful and magical storyline and dramatic characters, a mere eight years away!
However, the artistic spirit of 1871 did not just rest in Parisian theatres. I've collected some fantastic ballet memorabilia from my travels in my leather rucksack – all of which have a distinct Paris flavour! There's a stunningly illustrated pamphlet of La Danse, a dainty little booklet of ballet choreography exercises in French, and even a pair of original ballet shoes in black leather, slightly scuffed from a dancer's passionate movements. I can almost imagine them tapping to the music of that night's show!
My little adventure wasn't confined to Paris. My travels took me to Derbyshire as well, where I stumbled upon a quaint little ballet school tucked away in the countryside.
Now, picture this: I was strolling through the green, rolling hills, the sun setting on the Derbyshire landscape in a beautiful array of reds and oranges, when I suddenly came across a group of girls dressed in black leotards and pink tutus, all merrily practising their arabesques! Their innocence and enthusiasm for the art form was so heartwarming. It brought a big grin to my face!
Oh, I mustn't forget Magic Meg! Even my favourite shire horse was enjoying the experience! Her pink sparkling coat was all but glowing under the bright Paris lights and we enjoyed a delicious afternoon tea with tiny pink pastries (as per my request, of course!) and pink lemonade. She even got to sample some of the beautiful floral decorations from La Danse. You would think Meg was attending the Parisian ball with her gorgeous attire and manners!
My time travelling is not just about observing history, my darlings, it's about understanding the heart of ballet - its passion, its resilience, its ever-evolving nature!
You may not all have a pink sparkling shire horse, and time travel might not be in the cards for all of us, but I guarantee everyone can wear a pink tutu! Embrace the fun, embrace the dance, embrace the spirit of ballet!
And don't forget to check out our website, www.pink-tutu.com for more pink tutu shenanigans! Until next time, keep twirling and keep sparkling!
💖 Emma ✨
