Hello darlings! It’s your favourite pink-tutu-clad blogger, Emma, here, and oh, how I simply adore diving into the past to uncover the hidden gems of ballet history! Today we’re travelling back to the year 1807, and trust me, my dears, this was a truly exciting time for our beloved art form. Buckle up, grab a cuppa (or a glass of champagne if you’re feeling fancy) and let’s take a delightful dance back through time, shall we?
(Cue twinkling music, a soft pirouette, and a flurry of pink tulle)
Now, before we waltz into the spotlight of 1807, let’s chat a little about what life was like for a ballerina back in the day. Imagine, my darlings, a world where dancing wasn’t about big, glitzy studios with towering mirrors. Instead, picture cobbled streets, charming theaters, and intimate gatherings - that was where the magic unfolded! Ballet, even back then, had a very distinct flavour, more intimate, more raw, and certainly less about the grandiose spectacles we see today.
Think, for a moment, of a lovely Regency ball - imagine a woman gracefully swaying to the rhythm of a string quartet in a stunning, flowing gown. And, yes, ladies and gentlemen, these ballrooms were often where the very first seeds of ballet talent would sprout. This era was all about elegance, fluidity, and grace - a truly elegant way to move. It wasn’t all about dazzling leaps and grand jetés like you see in the ballerinas of today, but more about conveying emotion through movement. Imagine it! A captivating expression, a tiny wave of the hand, and your heart is immediately captivated. Now that’s what I call storytelling!
Now, fast forward to 1807. Let's go backstage and take a peek into the Parisian theatre, a world brimming with artistic innovation and excitement. The theatre was booming with excitement, thanks to the brilliant mind of Carlo Blasis, who had returned to Italy from France with a bag full of fresh ideas! You might remember him from my previous post as a bit of a prodigy who had studied under the greatest minds of the Italian ballet world! This fellow knew his pointe shoes and, let’s just say, had some pretty big dreams for the future of ballet.
Imagine a young ballerina (perhaps someone not entirely dissimilar to myself!) twirling across the stage in her beautiful dress, and suddenly a new idea hits Blasis - why not give these ballerinas something to dance on? A tiny rise, a clever little trick of perspective to add more drama and depth to every leap! Well, ladies and gentlemen, this is the moment that changed ballet forever! Imagine this, a new stage technique, one that made the ladies’ leaps higher, more elegant, and well, just magical! And so, a tiny revolution occurred. Enter the 'demi-pointe' - the moment when a ballerina takes that delicate half-step up onto the very tip of their toes. This was, as you might say, the very foundation of what we call en pointe today. Oh my, those shoes – the first pointe shoes ever - the whispers of this new idea began spreading across the theatrical world!
Can you picture it, ladies? A young ballerina, graceful as a butterfly, a smile gracing her lips as she takes that first step onto the tiny, innovative platform and feels the world rise to meet her. And this, dear readers, is how ballet began to shift into a world of even greater beauty, and with it, the start of a new ballet fashion era.
Now let’s rewind for a minute. Who can possibly forget, in the realm of ballet fashion, that we were entering the era of romanticism. The era where the tutus took flight! Oh my dears, it is time to bring out those elegant gowns and those charming dresses that swept the stage! It was the era of the tutus! And believe me, I've been searching everywhere for a picture to share! Oh, and do you know what was big at the time, you ask? Feathers, of course! Just picture the stage, glistening in the lights, filled with elegant figures, shimmering dresses and of course, every feather-laden headdress you could ever imagine.
Now, don't you dare think that all was rosy in 1807, because there were whispers in the ballet world - concerns that the nouveau ballerinas weren’t up to par with the older stars, but just look at the changes these revolutionary minds made! The art of dance wasn't about age but the dedication and the drive within the young ballerina, ready to bring a new era to life.
While Paris buzzed with change, London’s theatre scene also had its own delights in store! And you can believe me, darling, I had to book a little trip back in time to see this one! Now, who can resist a royal ball? Especially at the Royal Opera House, London, with royalty sitting front and centre, just a little behind that magical stage curtain. Well, my darlings, that is where you would have found, at the heart of London's artistic scene, an English dance drama called "The Spanish Curate," directed by the renowned Charles Dibdin! What's even more exciting? There was, gasp, a ballet! And what's a ballet without the tutus? Oh my, I had to take a few moments to simply admire the way they would twirl and leap, all adorned in their exquisite attire - their own delightful ballet-era wardrobe.
I have to confess, I simply couldn't help myself and grabbed a few moments to peek inside the Royal Opera House’s wardrobe department. You should see all the treasures tucked away in these magical wardrobes - the ballet dresses, those exquisitely adorned pieces with satin, velvet, ribbons, lace - an absolute dream! Just imagining them hanging up there makes my inner tutu-lover swoon!
Now, let’s return to the world of theatre fashion, my darlings! Remember, it wasn’t all about those ballet performances. Let's indulge in the fashion of 1807, a year that held such exquisite details! Ladies and gents, did you know the Regency era embraced a palette of warm, pastel shades - pale pink, blush, and even those soft buttery yellows - truly beautiful! Now imagine those hues cascading down your skirt - oh, I simply adore these lovely colours.
Now, 1807 was also the year when "The British Critic" came along! It's one of my absolute favourite literary publications of all time! What's wonderful is that it provided a brilliant glimpse into how they viewed the arts. Imagine having an insightful journal with articles on dancing! The stage is always a favourite topic of these critical minds! And to be honest, even if they are a little formal for my tastes - it is certainly helpful in discovering a little more about this charming era of the past.
In essence, 1807 marked the start of the new ballet age! Imagine - pointe shoes, new theatre choreography, and the romantic tutues gracing the stage! In all, 1807 truly felt like the ballet’s finest hour!
Until our next dance through time, remember, darlings - wear your hearts on your sleeves (and maybe a lovely, flowing tutu, too) - we’ll see you on the other side!
