Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, back from another whirlwind adventure through time!
I just know you’re all thrilled to be joining me today for another #TutuTuesday as we waltz back to the year 1846 – a period when ballet was really beginning to pirouette its way into the public's hearts.
I'm actually in the most incredible theatre in London, feeling all the excitement buzzing around me as we get ready for the premiere of Giselle, a ballet that will become a true classic. Did you know, dears, that this story is actually a tragedy? Imagine! A story of love, loss, and betrayal – all spun out in dance. I just adore those classic ballet stories.
Now, imagine for a moment – a grand theatre, filled with the soft glow of chandeliers, a hush falling over the audience as the curtain rises, and Giselle begins her mesmerizing steps… all wrapped up in her glorious tutu! Oh my dears, the sheer joy and wonder, you would just have to see it for yourselves.
The tutu – what a remarkable invention! While our ballerinas aren’t twirling around in the airy tulle we know today, we can trace the origins of the tutu to the 1800s, and it’s all thanks to Marie Taglioni, a dancer with ethereal grace! In her La Sylphide , the flowing skirts she wore - all layers of soft muslin, completely transformed the look of a ballerina. And that's where the magical tutu started its journey!
We still had a ways to go before reaching the magnificent fluffy pink creations that make me want to relevé into the clouds, but seeing Giselle today made me realize that something magical was brewing – the seeds of what would eventually bloom into the perfect tutu, my dears! The short, romantic tutus, and the glorious full-length tutus were still a dream, but the era of Giselle brought that beautiful je ne sais quoi to ballet – a blend of beauty, elegance, and drama – all perfectly woven together by the enchanting movements of the ballerinas.
I can't wait to tell you all about the fashion trends here in London – the ladies’ hats, and the bonnets! They just scream, ‘Oh, how très chic!’ And the gentlemen in their finely-tailored suits, all looking sharp and handsome! But my absolute favorite part? The ballet shows are where the real magic happens.
London is so electric right now! There’s an exciting air about the theatre scene, a sense that we’re on the precipice of something grand. Theatres are bursting with life, people are chattering excitedly, sharing their opinions about plays, operas, and of course, the beloved ballets.
While it may have taken another hundred years to get to those puffy, dreamy, tutus, the seeds for ballet's captivating journey into the world of romanticism are certainly being sown. It's the perfect time to visit Paris as well, dears! We can immerse ourselves in all that chic Parisian life – with its charming cafes, exquisite shops, and of course, the ballets, ballets, ballets! We can waltz from theatre to boutique, sampling delectable pastries, ooh-ing and aah-ing over those captivating displays of bonnets, all while reveling in the magic of ballet!
Now, let’s get our pliés going and get those twirls in, darlings! After all, there’s no better way to celebrate this #TutuTuesday than by heading to our nearest ballet class, putting on our pink tutus and allowing our bodies and souls to soar. I'm thinking of starting my week with a new Pink tutu challenge on my YouTube Channel – who is in? We are so lucky to be alive during this Golden Age of the Tutu.
Love, Emma xx
P.S. My Derbyshire readers! Don’t you worry. My next travel blog will be all about the beautiful theatre in Matlock – with a focus on our own beautiful Derbyshire ballet schools and studios!
P.P.S Did you know there’s actually a huge Ballet Performance happening here on this day? Just a mere 13 days from now? I’m not sure what kind of tutu the dancers will be wearing!
