Hello my darlings! It's your favourite tutu-clad time traveller Emma, here with another enthralling escapade from the annals of ballet history! This month, I'm whisking you away to 5th May, 1811, a date that holds a particularly special significance in the world of dance. Grab your favourite pink pom poms and a glass of pink lemonade – we're about to embark on a captivating journey through the glorious evolution of ballet! 💖
This time, Magic Meg (my trusty, shimmering pink Shire with the most magnificent mane you've ever seen!) and I decided to pay a visit to London. You see, this very day, 5th May 1811, marked the premiere of La Sylphide, the seminal ballet that truly kicked off the era of "Romantic ballet". It was, quite literally, a turning point in ballet history!
We arrived at the King's Theatre, our destination abuzz with anticipation and excitement. Imagine the buzz of a grand premiere, but multiply it by ten! The entire theatre was festooned in garlands of pink and white blooms, echoing the light and delicate nature of the story to be unfolded on stage. La Sylphide told the story of a young Scottish farmer who is seduced by a beguiling sylph, a creature of air and ethereal beauty, only to find himself caught between the realms of human life and the magical, mystical world of the sylph.
I'd be lying if I said my heart wasn't pounding! To witness the premiere of a ballet that would have such a profound impact on the entire art form – the ballet world was on the edge of its pink tulle shoes, awaiting this groundbreaking moment!
Why Romantic Ballet, Why Now?
You might wonder why this specific era in ballet holds such importance in my heart. La Sylphide, my darlings, signified a move away from the structured and codified classical ballet we'd seen before. In its place, Romantic ballet ushered in a new era of graceful, fluid movements, emotional expression, and storylines that truly captivated the audience.
It was like a gentle awakening – ballet began to whisper the dreams and anxieties of the human heart! Gone were the courtly, mythological stories, replaced by enchanting tales of passion, fantasy, and a yearning for the unattainable. Imagine, dancing the yearning of a lovelorn soul, floating like a whisper on the wind! 😍
La Sylphide, the story, was so beautifully evocative! The sylph, graceful and elusive, embodies the romanticized ideals of the era. The drama of the farmer's torn heart, the desire for the ethereal and the inevitability of heartbreak – this ballet was nothing short of a poignant symphony in movement.
I even saw the costumes – delicate tutus with billowing layers of soft tulle, designed to reflect the lightness and ephemeral nature of the sylph. They weren’t heavy, demanding silks; these costumes were ethereal, like wisps of clouds, which I knew instantly would be right at home on my www.pink-tutu.com site! I even grabbed some remnants from the dressmaker – perhaps my readers would love a little taste of Romantic era fashion, eh? 😉
Beyond The Stage: A Ballet World in Bloom
But of course, 1811 wasn't just about La Sylphide! The world of ballet, my lovelies, is never stagnant! While La Sylphide took the London stage by storm, I decided to make a quick stop at the Théâtre du Vaudeville in Paris to see what they were up to! They were presenting a piece called "L'Orgie" – not quite my cup of tea, if you will! The title, although dramatic, felt a little…over the top for my liking, you know? It even involved some acrobatic bits that felt a bit more circus than ballet to me! Perhaps the ballet world was having a bit of a flamboyant moment that year? I did, however, pick up some interesting posters from their performances for my ballet memorabilia collection – those beautiful pastel hues will look wonderful framed in my ballet museum at home!
I did manage to find some delicious gossip regarding this piece! It seems some members of the audience had a fit of giggles and nearly erupted in an argument over a certain lady's rather… revealing… costumes, if you will! But I guess you can’t be shy about a pink tutu-wearing blogger’s past, can you? 😉 I’m still deciding if I should feature "L’Orgie" on www.pink-tutu.com, so send me your thoughts!
The Parisian Ballet Ball
You know me, I can’t resist a grand ballet ball, and Paris, 1811, was no exception! It was so opulent, even Magic Meg was impressed, and that's saying something! The most exquisite dresses, all silks and sparkles, swirling across the ballroom with the grace of…well, swans, really! It was like the very essence of beauty and refinement embodied in every step. It wasn't just the men and women who knew how to dance – the dancing was truly impeccable – I even caught glimpses of a few pink tutus tucked away in a couple of dance bag! 😉
And wouldn't you know it, I just happened to bump into the charming Charles Didelot, who, to my sheer delight, was the choreographer of La Sylphide! We chatted about the ballet, the audiences, even exchanged a few tips about tutus! He confessed that he, too, admired a bit of pink every now and then! 😊
More than just a fashion blog!
Of course, as you all know, my blog is so much more than just fashion and costumes, my loves. It's a chance to dive deeper into the magic of ballet, to discover the stories behind the leaps and twirls!
This month, I’m introducing a new feature! You all know I adore discovering a bit of fashion inspiration everywhere I go, right? So for this blog post, I’ve gathered up some historical documents and drawings from the 1811 time period. I want you all to be able to enjoy this fashion journey alongside me, my darlings. So, what say you to a vintage fashion blog collection for our website? Perhaps a few historical silhouettes and a selection of dancewear pieces, hmm? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section!
Now, time to catch a wink of sleep – I have some photos and sketches from La Sylphide and a ballgown to photograph for my next post! Until next time, remember to wear a pink tutu and dream big! 💖
With love, Emma
