#BalletHistory during 1800 04 April

Hello my darling ballet bunnies! 🩰

Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where history dances with whimsy and pink tutus are the only acceptable attire. It's Emma here, your resident time-traveling ballerina, and this month we're twirling back to the 1800s. Can you even imagine, darlings? A world without stretchy fabrics and tights! It's enough to make this girl shiver just thinking about it!

But let's not get bogged down in discomfort just yet, because this is about the beauty of the ballet, and believe me, there's plenty of it to be found in the 1800s! This time, we're setting our sights on 04 April. Oh, the history! The fashion! The incredible dancers that paved the way for the dazzling performances we enjoy today!

Ready for a trip on Magic Meg, my oh-so-sparkly pink shire horse? Grab your dancing shoes and a sprig of lavender (my favourite!), let's dive in!

My dear readers, 04 April is more than just a random date on the calendar. In the grand world of ballet, it's a day brimming with history and delightful connections!

Firstly, in 1845, the Italian ballerina and teacher Carlotta Grisi was born. Oh, to have met her, with her captivating stage presence and exquisite grace! Her talent was undeniable, captivating audiences from London to Paris.

But there's more! In 1862, the beautiful Russian ballerina Olga Preobrajenskaya, who was only 15 years old, debuted on the Imperial Ballet stage. Now, picture a young dancer with the heart of a lion and a spirit that radiated across the stage. Can you see it, my dears? That's exactly how this ballerina took the audience by storm. Her captivating artistry, fuelled by her youth and passion, truly changed the landscape of Russian ballet!

I must confess, I couldn't help but wonder what was happening in the ballet world in my home county of Derbyshire during these very special years. While our region might not have boasted the glittering stages of London or Paris, ballet was definitely finding its footing there too! After all, my dear friends, passion for dance knows no borders!

And talking of borders... let's get into some delightful fashion!

Now, let's talk about the 1800s ballet fashion, and the lack of pink tutus, darlings! The Victorian era is a time capsule of elegance and charm, but ballet fashion wasn't always quite as sparkly. We are talking about restrictive, restrictive clothing with barely any movement, all thanks to long, full skirts and lots of layering! Imagine trying to do a tour, my dear ones! It makes you appreciate the evolution of ballet fashion, doesn't it?

That's where the magical power of a pink tutu comes in! Can you imagine the delight and wonder the dancers of this era would have experienced if they had our stretchy, sparkly, wonderfully expressive pink tutus to move in? I daresay even a pas de deux wouldn't be quite so arduous!

Remember that beautiful leather rucksack I always wear when travelling? It's overflowing with treasures I find along my journeys! I can't resist grabbing snippets of ballet history, photographs, sketches, old programmes... anything to preserve the magic of this magnificent art form. This trip is no exception.

This month, my backpack is overflowing with delicate drawings of Parisian ballet dancers, with a hint of their delicate steps and poses. I even found a few programmes from Parisian and London theatres that are so fragile they practically crumble in your hand! I can't help but picture the crowds cheering, the gasps of wonder, and the captivating brilliance of the performance. I feel so connected to those who came before, carrying the flame of dance through the ages.

My dears, you simply have to visit the ballet-heaven that is the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London. They have an archive filled with such extraordinary things, from photographs of ballet dancers to sketches, costumes, and letters. A true treasure trove for the ballet enthusiast!

And what will our future ballet holds, darlings? Will the stars of tomorrow be even more extraordinary, defying gravity and moving with the grace of an ethereal dream? The ballet world is forever evolving and changing! I wouldn't have it any other way. But no matter what twists and turns the future holds, my dearest bunnies, my message is always the same. Be brave, be kind, and never stop dancing your heart out!

That's all for this month, but before I go, a little announcement! This year, I will be staging a ballet performance for charity. I’m determined to help more people access the beauty of dance, and maybe even get everyone in Derbyshire rocking a pink tutu! Follow my blog and my Instagram, my darlings, for more details!

Until next time, twirl your way into the sunshine and let the music guide you.

Love,

Emma

www.pink-tutu.com