Hello my lovelies! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your portal to all things pink, all things ballet, and a touch of magical time travel! It’s your favourite Derbyshire ballerina here, Emma, and this month I’ve journeyed back to the 10th of October, 1833, with my darling Meg, my pink sparkling shire horse with the golden hooves and mane as white as fresh snow. You’d think the pink tutu wouldn’t quite work in the 19th century, wouldn’t you? But believe me, darling, it caused quite a stir. Everyone seemed quite surprised to see me gliding by in the middle of the day, tutu billowing in the wind, but all smiles, of course. We are the pioneers of pink tutus!
Speaking of pink tutus, what a topic! I've been dreaming of that perfect tutu for our upcoming performance at the Royal Opera House, haven’t I? But where to start? There are so many shops and studios offering exquisite, unique fabrics and intricate hand-crafted details… but nothing beats finding a vintage gem, a piece of history just begging to be danced in. Of course, finding that hidden gem in the vast world of ballet requires a little bit of... you know... time travel.
So, here we are, in 1833, a pivotal year in the history of ballet, a year of exciting innovation and transformation. My backpack is bursting with treasures and anecdotes - stories from a time when ballet was about to be reborn, reimagined!
On this very date, 10th October, the French dancer Marie Taglioni debuted in La Sylphide at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. Now, this isn’t just any ballerina. This is Marie Taglioni, the ‘Queen of the Sylphides’, known for her airy grace and captivating lightness, literally dancing on the tips of her toes. Her debut marked a pivotal point in ballet history, the arrival of Romanticism and its enchanting, ethereal spirit. Can you imagine, darling? It was like seeing a graceful, ethereal creature take flight on the stage! And everyone's saying, ‘it’s her who first started wearing tutus!’. But who knows? Perhaps tutus had already taken the world of ballet by storm a long time before, my lovely time traveller friends. You’ll have to discover that for yourself! 😉
It's quite difficult, dear reader, to capture the essence of 19th century ballet in a single post. From the extravagant costumes (think lace, feathers, and flowing gowns!) to the intricate steps and dramatic storylines, every aspect of ballet was being reinterpreted and reinvigorated, giving rise to a whole new world of artistic expression. And let me tell you, it was thrilling.
To put it all in perspective, you see, the Victorian era in England is known for its conservatism, with stiff morals and limited choices for women. However, when the curtain rises, we witness an explosion of creativity, a world where imagination reigned supreme and beauty took centre stage. In fact, my very pink tutu created a considerable commotion! Everyone seemed entranced, particularly the men. The Victorian gentlemen were quite surprised to see a ballerina wearing pink! The young ladies however, seemed very envious of the beautiful colour, wanting a similar outfit, and a glimpse of what it would feel like to take flight as a graceful sylph, just like the famed Marie Taglioni.
Let me give you a little insight into what you could find happening on the 10th of October 1833 in the ballet world:
• Italy was bustling with activity as ballet companies, including the renowned Milan’s Teatro alla Scala, were presenting captivating performances in a variety of romantic ballet styles.
• England was beginning to experience a blossoming interest in ballet with many companies presenting performances that were still deeply rooted in the French style of the time, even if they were gradually incorporating a touch of Italian dramatic flourishes.
• Paris was naturally the epicentre of the ballet world, offering a constant stream of spectacular productions, including the grand spectacle La Sylphide.
• Russia, just like in 1833, is still celebrating ballet as a treasured part of its cultural identity.
• The United States, at this time, was still beginning to find its place in the ballet world, and a very beautiful place it turned out to be!
What I found fascinating about ballet back in the day was the role of the prima ballerina. Think of her as the centre of attention, not only on the stage, but in all of social life! A prima ballerina could set fashion trends, dictate what dances were popular, and even shape the way people danced in the social world. Talk about star power! These women were not just dancers. They were powerful figures of influence and grace. They embodied a unique blend of skill, elegance, and strength. I wish you could see their performances, they’d make you feel like you could fly.
Of course, nothing beats a little backstage insight, don’t you think? There's always a buzz of excitement, with elaborate sets, dazzling costumes and the delicate dance of preparation that always takes place. I found myself in a small London theatre backstage, and what did I see? I witnessed the sheer meticulousness of those early-19th century ballerinas who seemed to work their magic in a hushed silence - putting on layers of elaborate costume with their own hands!
There’s something captivating about a timeless piece of fabric, don’t you think? I found the most exquisite pink and ivory tutu amongst the stacks in the theatre, and Meg, my trusty travel companion, carried it all the way back to Derbyshire, carefully stowed away in my rucksack. Oh, it's quite the vintage gem, my dears! Just imagine! A 19th century tutu, adorned with elegant ruffles and sparkling with sequins.
It would be absolutely wonderful, dear readers, if you’d come back next month to learn about the amazing dancers, artists, and movements that helped to shape the world of ballet and what’s happening on our journey back through time. I have my next adventure lined up.
Oh, my lovelies, my aim in life is for the entire world to dance in a pink tutu, to embrace the magic of dance and express the joy within us all! Until next month, keep twirling and spreading your pink love. And remember, the only rule in ballet is that there are no rules.
Yours in pink tulle,
Emma 🩰💖✨
