History of Ballet in 1859

Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things pink, twirly, and utterly fabulous! I'm Emma, your resident ballet enthusiast, and today, we're taking a time-travelling trip back to 1859. Don't worry, my trusty time-turner and my street performances have funded this little jaunt! 😉 Now, let's dive into this captivating year in the world of ballet, where things were decidedly elegant, opulent, and just a little bit pink (what's a girl to do, right?)

Paris, ah, Paris! In 1859, it was THE epicentre of all things ballet, an intoxicating whirlwind of elegance and dance. Imagine this: The Grand Opera House, all golden balconies and velvety seats, and on stage, dancers swirling like spun sugar in shimmering costumes, their steps an intricate and joyous dance that seemed to defy gravity. And don't even get me started on the tutus! We're talking lavish layers of tulle, meticulously crafted, and dripping with jewels - I'm pretty sure some even incorporated actual real pearls! It was a truly magnificent era.

Speaking of magnificence, the Imperial Ballet in Russia was also dazzling everyone with its skill and passion. This era was known for its strong dramatic pieces and its beautiful ballets - think stories about ballerinas with wings (oh, how I yearn for my own wings!) It's here we see the rise of those iconic ballerina hairstyles, those high, intricate buns that scream "elegance" with a capital E. The whole look was absolutely captivating, a delicate blend of romance and strength that would be forever imprinted in my memory (and, of course, I snagged a few stylish pins for my own ballet hair routine. 😉)

Now, you know I'm all about fashion! In 1859, ballet fashion was truly breathtaking, a blend of traditional silhouettes and those iconic Victorian touches we all adore. Just picture this: a ballerina in a frothy tulle tutu, delicately adorned with pearl-studded details, and topped off with a beautifully crafted, velvet bodice that emphasized her grace and femininity. (Just imagine a colour as exquisite as pink, it's truly dreamy!)

The ballerina's outfits, in the way they reflected both strength and vulnerability, also held a deeper meaning. The flowy tutus gave a sense of weightlessness, like they were gliding across the stage like graceful swans. Then, the boned bodice, tight but supportive, became a symbol of the female figure: delicate yet strong, fragile yet resolute, captivating yet self-assured. It was a symphony of beauty!

Speaking of captivating performances, a few must-mention gems graced the stage in 1859:

• La Esmeralda: Imagine the drama of a gypsy girl entangled in love and misfortune - set to the beautiful music of Cesare Pugni, a ballet that just about burst with emotional storytelling. It had a magnificent ending scene, with Esmeralda standing on top of Notre-Dame Cathedral in a moment of captivating tragedy. It was heartbreaking and stunning at the same time!
• Le Corsaire: A flamboyant adventure ballet! It was filled with the adventures of a daring pirate (one I would have loved to have a fling with - you know, if time travel had a bit more of a social life), set to an exciting, energetic score with daring sword fights, exotic costumes (so much colourful silk!), and that sense of romance that is the backbone of any great ballet.
• The Sleeping Beauty: Even though its premiere wasn't until 1890, The Sleeping Beauty's music was first heard in 1859 - talk about iconic! It gave a taste of the fairy tale that was to become, I believe, the best ballet ever created. It had the magical elements, the beautiful princesses, and an overarching love story - a blend that captures every balletomane's heart, right down to mine.

The year 1859 saw a fascinating evolution of ballet, laying the foundation for the next generation. New ballet schools emerged, along with innovative styles that, although subtle, laid the groundwork for the revolution to come in ballet history. The ballets were becoming more emotional, more nuanced - just imagine a ballerina communicating not just with her graceful moves, but also through subtle facial expressions. The sheer skill, grace, and sheer glamour of it all still brings me to my knees!

The tutus weren't all fluffy and frilly either - 1859 saw the emergence of more form-fitting and streamlined designs. I hear tales of revolutionary tutus made from a new, thinner and lighter fabric. Can you imagine the freedom and flexibility for the dancers?! I'm desperate to travel a bit further in time just to see it for myself.

Ballet didn't just shine in theaters in 1859, it found its way into everyday life! It was in the designs of women's clothes - the fitted bodices, the airy skirts, and, of course, the beautiful hairstyles - they were all influenced by the ballerinas on stage! This year even saw a burgeoning demand for dance slippers and tutu-inspired accessories. We even had fashion magazines featuring designs by talented artists inspired by this fabulous art form. The love for ballet permeated everything, it seemed!

As we close our time machine, I encourage all of you lovely ladies (and gents too!) to find a moment to channel that inner ballerina. Let your own creativity soar, pick up a pair of pink ballet slippers, put on a beautiful pink tulle skirt (think princess ball!), and go on your own twirly adventures! Don't worry, nobody needs to be a perfect ballerina! The whole point is to feel joy, beauty, and self-expression.

Remember: a touch of pink, a flutter of tulle, and a smile on your face is a magical recipe for happiness. Keep twirling and keep shining!

With love and a swirl of my tutu, Emma xx