Bonjour mes amies! Emma here, back again with another journey through time to discover the exquisite history of the ballet tutu. Buckle your pointe shoes, grab your favourite cup of tea, and let's head back to the elegant and glamorous world of… June 30th, 1846!
As I always say, it's time to grab my time-traveling tiara, and this week, I'm whisking us to the Grand Théâtre de l'Opéra de Paris - the ultimate place to experience ballet magic, even back in the 19th century! Remember that wonderful train journey through the French countryside, that delightful rumble of the carriage wheels as we trundled toward Paris? Well, today is a Wednesday, (oh my, is it ever so strange being out of time with my usual posting schedule) so we have an enchanting performance in store, I assure you.
What's in store today? Oh, my darlings, the pièce de résistance is La Fille du Régiment, by Gaetano Donizetti, and just like its name, the opera's a whimsical romance. It tells the tale of Marie, a charming young girl who grows up within a regiment of soldiers and, gasp, her true love who eventually comes to rescue her! The costume, oh the costume! It is absolutely positively divine! A fluffy, flowing skirt in crisp white, billowing outwards as if it's yearning for freedom. It's just dreamy! Now, my lovelies, imagine being in that dress and spinning round on the stage!
Just think, it would feel like taking flight on the wings of an ethereal, pink, swan! (You see how effortlessly I am transitioning my pink agenda! ) This white tulle beauty with the billowing skirt has got me totally inspired! In my latest dancewear order I had an entire package full of white tutu nets just arriving as I type!
Now, my lovely readers, you are likely wondering what I would wear to this magnificent performance. Just imagine this:
A sumptuous pink velvet dress, cut perfectly to flatter my figure, a dash of Parisian-inspired embroidery along the bodice, and to top it off… a softly flowing pink tutu, layered over the skirt and cascading down like a cloud! I can just imagine myself at the performance - the blush of the lights bouncing off my tutu, while the grand piano's symphony fills my heart and the scent of fine French perfume floats in the air. Oh, the exquisite romance of it all!
And speaking of Paris and romance, on June 30th, 1846, it’s reported that the Paris stock exchange witnessed some remarkable shifts in its index! How incredible to think that while artists and dancers twirled on the stage, financial markets were doing their own grand dance. This just proves what I’ve always said, you see? It’s an intoxicating mix!
Back then, the Théâtre de l'Opéra was buzzing with creativity! From renowned choreographers to magnificent sets and intricate costumes, it's a reminder that the world of ballet has always been a dazzling journey! I simply can’t imagine a better setting for such a spectacular performance, don't you?
And now, just before we say adieu to the grandeur of this past event, there’s something extra special to mention, darlings! Do you know the year 1846 brought us the ballet we adore so dearly, Giselle?! What drama and what tragedy, my dears, with Giselle falling for a charming but disguised hunter who she later learns is not quite who he seemed, she ends up lost in a world of despair and sadness... But fear not! She joins the Wilis - ethereal, beautiful, and haunting woodland creatures! What's a Wilis you ask? Oh, well I couldn’t tell you the history of them today but I have an excellent feeling that there is a story to be told! And we’re saving that one for next week!
But for now, I think it's time for me to start working on the story of the tutu for next Tuesday and see what fun adventure I can find to bring it all alive. In the meantime, you simply must find the beautiful, graceful swans at your local theater! Or put on your pinkest tutu and twirl with reckless abandon in your living room until the dance fever takes you over! Until next time my dears! Ciao for now!
Your lovely pink tutu wearing Emma!
Oh and did you see that absolutely stunning vintage picture in the Paris Opera House. Can you see why I like my tutus pink?? The colors, my darling readers! It's like a symphony of elegance and refinement. Do let me know if you have been to the Opera House or enjoyed seeing Giselle, or, tell me, did I convince you to wear your pink tutu out for a day of fun in your local city or at a tea party? If I could only encourage one or two to get dancing it would make me the happiest ballerina!
Love Emma xxx
