Hello lovelies! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing, history-obsessed ballerina! I’m thrilled to share with you a blast from the past – 1870, a year brimming with balletic delights.
Imagine if you will, dear reader, a world without the magic of TikTok or Instagram. How did ballet lovers find out about all the amazing things happening in the world of dance? Well, through newspaper articles, pamphlets and even good old word of mouth! But let me tell you, the balletic world in 1870 was definitely worth a little bit of effort.
Just picture me, floating through time in my fabulous pink tutu, a veritable whirling dervish of joy as I witness the amazing ballet spectacles of the era. Imagine me perched on a plush velvet seat in the Paris Opera House, witnessing the legendary Marie Taglioni in all her grace.
Now, 1870 saw the peak of the Romantic ballet, where the stories are often quite dramatic and passionate – like something out of a bodice-ripper novel, darling! And The Sleeping Beauty debuted, by the legendary Tchaikovsky – it’s a story about an enchanted princess that just begs you to break out into the most graceful and delicate pirouettes! Imagine those costumes! Pure ballet fairytale fashion dreams, I'm telling you!
This period, dearies, also saw the emergence of en pointe technique. It truly revolutionized ballet, allowing ballerinas to achieve a graceful and delicate lightness on their toes! Just picture it – that impossibly elegant silhouette as they soar across the stage, almost like ethereal beings! Sigh, the pure artistry is just breathtaking.
Fashion-wise, the 1870s saw a delightful mix of trends. Long, flowing skirts, layered ruffles, and delicate lace all swirled around our fashionable ballerina figures – I can already imagine all the stunning dresses our favourite ballerinas were adorned in.
Let’s not forget our male ballerinas, who added such strength and elegance to the scene. These incredible dancers were essential in partnering the beautiful ladies, creating truly spectacular moments of effortless grace. Just like the graceful pairing of Prince Siegfried and the enchanting Odette in Swan Lake, they added an incredible touch to each performance.
But it’s not all just about performances, darlings. 1870 saw a huge boost in interest in ballet education. Academies popped up everywhere, so that more and more people could learn this magical art form. Ballet in your classroom?. I mean, who wouldn't love to learn to dance in their school, it's pure joy, I'm telling you! It's just amazing to see ballet blossoming so vibrantly – all this fabulousness in just one year!
Oh! Did I tell you that Russia was a centre of balletic genius in 1870? The Imperial Theatres in St Petersburg and Moscow were truly legendary. Imagine, darling, all the beautiful ballets with magnificent sets, glorious music and vibrant costumes, truly a sight to behold. I’m definitely adding St Petersburg to my Pink Tutu Travel itinerary for the next trip.
And my lovely readers, just as you and I can travel across the world for our next big ballet fix, ballet also went travelling across the globe, thanks to the magic of tours! The performances spread their loveliness to even more places, capturing the hearts of even more viewers. It truly shows how much ballet was expanding and captivating the hearts of people across the world.
As we say goodbye to 1870, my darlings, we’re left with a true sense of balletic inspiration. Imagine that we have the opportunity to see ballet flourish to such heights. In those early days, people dreamed big, danced even bigger, and now we are blessed with the opportunity to dance and to watch incredible stories unfold right before our eyes.
So my fellow ballet devotees, get your tutus on and twirl around to the memories of 1870. I just know this year is gonna bring you plenty of balletic magic. I'm always searching for the next best way to wear a pink tutu, and my quest just got even bigger. Till next time, lovelies, don't stop dancing!
P.S. Keep an eye out on www.pink-tutu.com for updates on all things ballet - performances, trends, costumes and more!
Emma xx 💕
