Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink-tutu clad time traveller, Emma, and welcome back to my little corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com! Today, we're setting our sights on a very special date: 7th July 1879. Grab your favourite pink tutu, put on your dancing shoes, and climb aboard Magic Meg!
My dear shire horse, Magic Meg, shimmers like a pink diamond in the morning sun. Her hooves gleam gold as she prances towards the glistening portal that opens onto the world of the past. Today's adventure promises a whirlwind of history and ballet - and of course, more dazzling fashion than you can shake a sparkly tutu at!
Now, 1879 was a time of tremendous change in the world of ballet, and we're going to see that change in action. This year was a true celebration of the beauty and artistry of the dance, but the year started with tragedy. On February 26th, the Russian ballet master and choreographer, Marius Petipa, who played such a vital role in bringing the "Golden Age of Ballet" to life, tragically lost his eldest son to a fatal fever. His grief must have been immense, and the entire ballet world would have mourned the loss of this promising young artist.
But, true to the spirit of dance, there was still cause for celebration. On the 7th of July, 1879, we find ourselves in the elegant capital of St. Petersburg. Here, the Imperial Ballet is taking center stage in a performance that promises to be a truly regal affair!
I'm just a little excited to get into my rucksack to gather a little 19th-century ballet inspiration. Imagine the elaborate costumes and the delicate pointe shoes of this era! It's enough to set my tutu twirling!
What would be on the programme? A grand classical ballet, a whimsical story ballet perhaps, or maybe even a little experimental contemporary work - the early beginnings of ballet's modern evolution. It’s always fascinating to glimpse back and see how the ballet world has developed over the years. It just reminds me how wonderfully timeless and adaptable this beautiful art form is.
In Paris, we see the rise of a ballet classically known for its artistry and skill, under the artistic direction of Louis Mérante. He was pushing the boundaries of what ballet could be, using drama and music as well as breathtaking movement. And on the other side of the world, in our very own London, the esteemed Royal Ballet was thriving, entertaining audiences with graceful moves and passionate stories that never cease to inspire and enthral.
I just love imagining how the ladies of St Petersburg must have been preparing for that Imperial Ballet performance in those gorgeous, elaborately designed ballet dresses of the period. Just imagine the flounces of the tutus! The opulent velvet and lace of the costumes! The gleaming jewellery and elaborate hairdos!
Every detail of the time was carefully considered and crafted. Those lucky women who were lucky enough to be attending the performance would have been dressed with just as much care and style. What amazing beauty there must have been in that theatre.
While I won't be stepping into the dance shoes myself today (although I'm sorely tempted!), I will be picking up the echoes of that performance, absorbing the stories whispered within the fabric of history, and sharing those with you in my next blog post. Stay tuned, lovelies, for some extraordinary adventures as we travel the ballet world, both through time and space.
Just promise you'll be rocking your pink tutu, dancing with me and celebrating the magic of the ballet world with me - because as I say, if we can't have a good time dancing in a pink tutu, what can we have fun doing?!
Stay magical and tutuful, Emma.
