Post No. 1966 – www.pink-tutu.com
Hello darling dancers, welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels! As usual, I'm absolutely bubbling with excitement about this month's journey! My darling Meg and I have zipped ourselves right back to the 10th of October, 1824, and let me tell you, things are absolutely buzzing in the world of ballet!
As always, before we delve into the swirling pirouettes and flamboyant leaps of the past, I simply must give you a peek at my fab outfit! A vision in pale pink silk, my tutu this month features a delicate spray of hand-stitched pearl blossoms and a wispy, tiered design, inspired by the Parisian gardens. I've paired it with my trusty leather rucksack, bursting at the seams with vintage ballet memorabilia – you just never know what you might discover while zipping through time!
And now, without further ado, let's get to the meat of this historical extravaganza!
A Dance Through Time: 1824Imagine, darling, a world where ballerinas danced in impossibly tight bodices, with heavy skirts hindering their every move! This was the reality in 1824, a world still struggling to cast off the heavy costumes and rigid movements of the previous era.
But there was a change in the air, a whisper of a new style, a yearning for a more graceful, elegant expression. The legacy of the great Marie Taglioni was starting to seep into the ballet scene, and she was inspiring a new generation of ballerinas to dare to fly.
It seems the world was absolutely awash with exciting premieres on this very day in history. One such gem, performed at the Théâtre de l’Opéra in Paris, was La Dansomanie, ou La Folle par amour! This masterpiece of comic opera, bursting with the infectious joy of a grand balletomane, featured beautiful costumes, witty dialogue, and, most importantly, a fantastic cast of ballerinas all flaunting their artistry on stage! I just can't imagine the electricity in the theatre!
As we trotted around London this October 10th, Meg and I were lucky to stumble across an enchanting advertisement in The Times! It proclaimed the arrival of the eminent Italian ballerina, Madame Guillet. Imagine the buzz she must have brought to London theatres! Sadly, no surviving recordings of her performances exist, but from her dazzling reputation, one can only imagine her stage presence and artistry.
Fashion Forward!
Of course, any trip through time wouldn't be complete without a glimpse into the captivating world of ballet fashion! My little notebook is absolutely overflowing with sketches from this delightful period! A notable change from the heavier, fuller skirts of the past was the emergence of the 'tutu à la Taglioni'! A stunningly airy, diaphanous skirt, a true triumph of lightness and elegance! Just imagine, darling, swirling gracefully on stage with each elegant step. I must find a way to replicate it for a future performance!
Speaking of future performances, darling, keep your eyes peeled for my very special rendition of La Dansomanie – a true homage to the graceful dance of 1824, featuring an extraordinary tutu à la Taglioni, all twirls, lightness, and an explosion of pinks! I'm just thrilled with the inspiration I'm gaining from each trip back in time!
Dancing Forward
So darling, as I bid you farewell for this month, don't forget the captivating ballet of 1824! Keep your eyes open for the elegance of the new styles, and remember to embrace that airy lightness in every dance you perform!
Remember to pop back next month for a new Pink Tutu Travels adventure – I can already feel a thrilling new ballet escapade brewing!
Until then, happy dancing!
Your eternally pink-tutu-loving,
Emma
