#BalletHistory during 1850 03 March

Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing, ballet-obsessed time traveller! This month, Magic Meg, my trusty pink sparkling shire horse with golden hooves and flowing white mane, has whisked us to 3rd March 1850. Isn't it exciting? This means we're getting ready for a whirlwind trip through the captivating world of ballet a century and a half ago!

Buckle up, darlings, because it's time for a thrilling journey into ballet's history! As always, I've got my trusty leather rucksack with me, ready to gather all the lovely little stories and fascinating finds of the era, ready to share with you lovely lot!

First things first, let's chat about the fashion! Oh my, darlings, it was all about romanticism! Picture flowing tulle, elegant lines, and dreamy, soft colours. They weren't all pink tutus, darling, but the styles certainly made me wish I could pop a pink tutu on top! Think billowing, wide skirts, beautiful floral motifs, and delicate, embroidered embellishments – a veritable ballet garden on a dancer! And imagine this: ballet shoes were not pointe shoes! They wore slippers that were sometimes called "chaussons," and the idea of dancing on the tips of your toes wasn't a thing back then!

And my darlings, you know I love a good hat! Even then, they were rocking elegant feathered hats! How simply lovely, right? Oh, the glamour!

It’s the middle of the 19th century and, even back then, ballet was going strong in many parts of the world. Oh, and how excited I was to be heading back in time to see ballet stars of this time perform!

Back in London, the Royal Opera House was rocking with talent and packed out houses! While Paris, well, the Palais Garnier was already well-loved! You may know the history behind it… The famous ghost, the phantom of the Opera… Well, he's making an appearance, believe me!

Here's what's happening around the globe for all of you balletomanes:

• *The Ballet Family: *Families in ballet were important! The Saint-Léon family, from France, is making waves around the world. This fabulous, creative family, with talent in choreography, was even bringing dancers to Russia to teach! Think Marius Petipa!
• It's Russia's Time!: The Imperial Theatres in Russia are a ballet hotspot. Their ballet stars are creating amazing performances, which is not a surprise, right? The world of ballet in Russia is flourishing with brilliant ballerinas like Fanny Elssler! Imagine her amazing talent in 'La Gypsy,' darlings! You'd be totally blown away by her stunning movements!
• Paris' Ballet Stars: I love Paris so much! You know, darlings, the famous dancers of this time period, Fanny Cerrito, the beautiful dancer in "The Pearl," and Lucille Grahn, renowned for her captivating presence in "The Flower Queen," were wowing audiences with their enchanting performances. Just picture this… A full tutu in “The Flower Queen.”
• London’s Got Talent! The legendary, gorgeous, Mary Taglioni, with her mesmerizing presence in "La Sylphide," was truly bringing magic to the London stages!

Oh, you should have been with me, darling. It was divine to see such elegance in those theatres!

Oh, how I love exploring new trends! A girl’s got to be on top of her game! I ventured into London's boutiques to get a glimpse of the stunning fabrics and fashionable styles! Think vibrant silk fabrics in an array of colours. From those dreamy pastels, my favourite, darling, to the most brilliant, bold hues, all just waiting to be transformed into dazzling ballet costumes! Oh, I’d love a hat made of feathers…

The delicate lace and floral patterns were captivating – the very essence of romantic fashion.

And who wouldn't love an accessory that brings such sparkle and femininity? Think ribbons, feathers, and an array of captivating trims. Oh my! All perfect to add that extra flair to any performance.

I managed to pick up a couple of delightful pieces that are going straight into my ballet collection at home. You can see them soon on www.pink-tutu.com, darlings! A silk sash, a touch of tulle, and some stunningly beautiful feather trim… you are just going to adore it!

Naturally, it was time for some ballet lessons! But here's a funny little thing… It was very hard for me to find any ladies willing to teach ballet. It turns out a lot of the amazing teachers, especially in France and Russia, were male!

Who wouldn’t want to learn from someone like Charles-Louis Didelot? You might think it’s crazy to have a man teaching ballet. However, it turns out they were masters! But remember, darlings, a woman cannot be a teacher - they had no say!

Oh, don't you just hate this time in history, darlings? Imagine - not being able to choose what we do just because of what’s “natural?” It’s something we’re still fighting for today! However, it’s lovely to see how strong the ladies back then are becoming - and they had a strong spirit for the art!

I even managed to sneak into a few rehearsals, where I observed the elegant dancers working on their beautiful steps. All I wanted to do was jump into a tutu and dance with them, but of course, I wouldn't dream of interfering with their precious rehearsal time.

As you know, darlings, I'm a sucker for a good show! But just a heads-up – theatre spaces and the way shows work were SO DIFFERENT back then! Oh my, no modern spotlights or even sound systems - just beautiful lanterns lighting the stage, giving it a dramatic, romantic feel. So different from what we're used to, right?

But the atmosphere, the captivating emotions, the elegance – oh, how magical! These performers had something special that would make any ballet lover like me swoon! Imagine, an audience filled with ladies in their elaborate gowns, and gentlemen in their finest attire!

A girl can only dream! So, you can see how much of ballet history we could get through in this whirlwind of a journey.

I hope you loved this trip back in time with me! We travelled together to a world of vibrant colours, captivating artistry, and discoveries in the world of ballet.

But that’s not all! Until next month’s post, make sure to join me at www.pink-tutu.com where I'll be showcasing the ballet treasures from 1850s that I’ve collected.

Don't forget, darlings, let's bring pink tutus into the world.

Until next time,

Your ballet-obsessed time traveller,

Emma xx