Hello, darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com, where I share my adventures through time – all thanks to my dear friend, Magic Meg, my pink-sparkling Shire horse with the most majestic white mane and tail. This month, we're whisking ourselves back to the shimmering days of 1905!
Oh, the elegance! The waltz, my lovelies, was all the rage! We caught the final performance of The Merry Widow, a masterpiece by Franz Lehár, in Vienna. The music, so enchanting, floated through the air as couples whirled across the stage. I felt myself drawn in, just as mesmerized by the movements as the audience was. The costumes, oh, divine! The ladies, so graceful, draped in sweeping gowns and opulent jewels, while the gentlemen, so handsome in their tuxedos, created such a grand atmosphere.
Speaking of costumes, the tutus, oh, they were divine! We saw some truly exquisite creations at the Paris Opéra Ballet. While a little less frothy than my beloved pink tulle, these tutus were crafted from silk, with layers and layers of frills that danced so delicately with each turn. They were just beginning to experiment with new ways to drape the tulle, too, leading to the creation of those gloriously graceful lines. This is how we really started to get a glimpse of the elegant lines of ballet that we know and love today, my dears!
Naturally, I couldn't resist indulging in a spot of shopping. The lace, the ribbons, the delicate embroidery…oh, it was simply a haven for the discerning ballerina. I acquired some exquisite fabric for my next tutu – a vintage creation, of course!
Of course, no visit to Paris would be complete without attending a performance. This time, we were graced by the beautiful choreography of Mikhail Fokine. Les Sylphides – the ethereal story, the romantic ballet...just captivating. He really brought this revolutionary style to the forefront with the lightness and fluidity of the choreography. It was as though the dancers themselves were melting into the air.
Later that week, we rode through the English countryside, stopping by a little village in Derbyshire, a hop, skip, and a jump from my home town. It felt almost surreal, like stepping into a period drama – beautiful, bustling markets, ladies in elegant dresses and gents in bowler hats. It was an utter joy to watch children twirling in their homemade costumes in the cobbled squares. My little heart melted, my dears! It felt like everyone, even the smallest ballerina, was embracing their inner artist.
Oh, the history we unearthed! Did you know, that around this time, some ballet companies began requiring that their ballerinas study ballet full time, with a special emphasis on physical and expressive skills? I am so thrilled for these talented artists; just imagine how this must have strengthened their performances.
So there you have it, my darlings! Another grand adventure through time, filled with graceful tutus, passionate waltzes, and some enchanting ballet magic! We hope you'll join us again next month for another dazzling exploration of the world of ballet history, here on www.pink-tutu.com!
And remember, darlings, the world is a stage, and there is a pink tutu for every occasion! Don’t be shy, put your own unique spin on this iconic piece and unleash your inner ballerina!
See you next time, and Happy dancing!
Lots of love,
Emma 💖
