History of Ballet in 1828

Hey darlings! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-loving ballerina extraordinaire, back with another blast from the past for our weekly dose of ballet history! This week, we're swirling through the world of 1828, a time when ballet was starting to really take off! Let's slip on our most sparkly tutus and prepare to be swept away!

As always, our favourite Parisian ballet scene is the beating heart of everything beautiful! 1828 saw the debut of Marie Taglioni, the most divine ballerina of her time! You can picture her on stage – ethereal and delicate, in her white tutus, floating with the grace of a whisper! Taglioni's "La Sylphide" in 1832, you see, started the craze for these wispy, beautiful tutus, transforming the whole ballet aesthetic!

The Opéra Garnier, Paris's prestigious opera house, was still under construction back in '28, so imagine those enchanting ballets being performed in a setting brimming with anticipation for the theatre to come. In 1828, they were busy with all sorts of productions, but "Le Diable à Quatre" (The Devil to Pay), featuring a ballet, was quite the popular spectacle! It’s full of romanticism, dramatic flourishes, and a little bit of the supernatural. Sounds familiar, darlings, and those gorgeous sets would have you feeling utterly entranced!

But Paris was not the only centre of excitement – Milan, St. Petersburg, and London were also alive with swirling tutus! Can you imagine the excitement of travelling to these magnificent cities to experience the world of ballet?

Now, darling, if you’re in London in 1828, there’s an exquisite treat waiting for you! You might get a chance to witness the enchanting performances of Charles-Louis Didelot! He’s not just any ballet master, darlings – this man practically revolutionised the choreography of British ballet! This incredible artist, and one of my idols, worked tirelessly on intricate movements, introducing new patterns that are so sophisticated and mesmerising. Didelot brought to life the most captivating and charming stories, pushing the boundaries of artistic expression – and I absolutely adore his style!

It’s not all grand theatres and elegant ballrooms in London – there’s something for every type of tutu enthusiast! Street ballet performances were starting to gain popularity, much like today’s street performances! Can you imagine seeing ballerinas dancing right on the streets of London? This makes me so giddy!

Imagine London's cobblestones echoing with graceful steps! I find it fascinating that ballet, once enjoyed by only the aristocracy, is now spreading like wildflowers, captivating the hearts of everyone! It just proves, darlings, that ballet, much like pink tutus, is for every single one of us!

1828 was the year tutus really started becoming something special! While the iconic white tutu didn’t completely solidify until Taglioni’s “La Sylphide,” we started seeing these ethereal creations in more delicate fabrics like tulle. You can imagine the delight – delicate white, romantic silhouettes, dancing on stage. Just gorgeous. I'm so in love with that style and you can find some absolutely fantastic tutus today inspired by that iconic look!

Speaking of tutus, we have to chat about ballet shoes, darling! They were evolving as well. The pointe shoes that we know and love are not quite on the scene yet. Think flat shoes with a ribbon wrapping elegantly around the ankle. Oh, they look absolutely adorable. We can't let those early shoemakers forget their role in our fashion history, darlings! They were the first to give ballerinas the tools for expressive, light movements – it's all about a beautiful flow, isn't it?

Let’s step back for a moment, darling, and pretend we’re living in this era. Can you imagine being a young dancer in 1828, learning steps that have evolved to the beautiful styles we have today? I'd fill a whole journal with details of my dancing days, you see! Imagine all the lovely shops I'd visit, the charming fabrics I'd select for my tutu, the exciting news of the upcoming shows! I imagine it'd be something like this…

*Dear Diary, *

Oh my darling Diary! What a magical day in the life of a ballerina! This morning, the dressmaker arrived at the studio, brimming with news! There’s a new shop opening on Covent Garden where they sell the most exquisite tulle. Imagine the beauty of those floating layers! It’s simply a dream to twirl in those fabrics! Later this afternoon, I am off to the Covent Garden market, a vibrant tapestry of vendors and vendors' stalls – can’t wait to get my hands on some beautiful ribbons to accent my shoes and that new tutu, too! Of course, I’ll grab the best roses – those fragrant beauties are always so delightful, and perfect to complement my dance attire! My dreams are full of rehearsals and whispers of the beautiful steps, as my pointe shoes - I mean, my lovely ballet slippers - eagerly wait to perform! What wonders will this evening's practice bring?

I can't wait to dance and hear the applause of the audience - that is the heart and soul of being a dancer!

Dearest darlings! I hope this journey back in time has filled you with that extra dose of inspiration for the next time you dance. If you ever need a little ballet history dose, do drop by! Just like a classic tutu, it's something timeless, eternally lovely, and full of the magic of dancing hearts! Until next week, remember, everyone can be a ballerina, and every day can be filled with the grace and beauty of the ballet. Don't forget to rock a pink tutu, you beautiful souls, and feel the rhythm of life!