Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where we celebrate all things pink and twirly. It's Tuesday, which means it's #TutuTuesday, and this week, I'm whisking you away on a journey through time. Get your travel-ready tutus on, dear readers, because we're heading back to September 21st, 1847!
I must admit, it's quite a change from our bustling, contemporary ballet scene. Stepping onto the cobbled streets of London (always my favourite city for ballet!), I had to adjust to a slower pace and, well, no tutus! I know, I know, gasp! It seems almost impossible to imagine a time when tutus weren't the go-to for any self-respecting ballerina. But fear not, my sweet little dandies! While we might not be seeing tutus on stage, 1847 has some amazing ballet innovations to discover!
As I ventured towards the Theatre Royal, Covent Garden, (the ballet mecca of its day), I felt like a little time traveller lost in a Dickens novel. Imagine! Horse-drawn carriages, cobblestone streets, gas lamps, and a smattering of ladies in their crinolines, with none of the glamour and vibrancy we see in the world of ballet today. It felt strangely charming, though, and I couldn’t resist feeling just a touch whimsical.
But hold onto your top hats, because this era witnessed some truly monumental events for the world of ballet!
First, let's chat about the iconic Marie Taglioni. This ballerina was considered the most revered star of the 19th century. In fact, she practically defined the Romantic Ballet style with her light, ethereal, almost weightless performance style!
As I sat down to watch Taglioni perform in La Sylphide - yes, THAT La Sylphide - I could not help but gasp at the sheer talent she exuded. She was ethereal, exquisite, and breathtaking! It was almost a poetic performance, where every movement was crafted with such graceful perfection. The audience, clad in their finery, were captivated. It was as if they were caught in a spell of the most refined kind. It’s quite funny to imagine everyone’s faces as I strutted in wearing my own hot pink tulle, with feathers and sparkles, completely disrupting the era’s subdued elegance!
But wait, it gets even better! On this very date in 1847, the celebrated ballerina, Carlotta Grisi graced the Covent Garden stage for the first time! Oh, how I adore the Grisi legacy! This lady wasn’t just a ballerina, she was a legend! The grace and charm she brought to each performance left audiences speechless, and her repertoire included classics such as La Esmeralda and Giselle.
If this was not enough excitement for you to handle, darling, we also have the pioneering figure of Jules Perrot! This man wasn't just a brilliant dancer - he was a visionary choreographer who had a huge impact on the art of ballet! His choreography is characterized by a delicate, Romantic approach that perfectly suited the talent of his contemporaries like Taglioni and Grisi. His influence in shaping ballet choreography would go on to shape the dance styles of future generations.
However, there is one sad thing that hit me about my time-traveling ballet adventure - no tutus. Not even close. The dancers still had to navigate voluminous and restrictive dresses, making graceful movement look even more remarkable. Just imagine - you’re in a huge, frilly skirt that's been stiffened and laced in place, while you attempt to leap, pirouette and soar. Now, picture a dancer floating in a featherlight tulle tutu. Now, that is an elegant vision, don’t you think?
So, although the lack of tutus was disheartening, I could not resist channeling the romantic style that inspired these era-defining artists. I strolled into Covent Garden in my own vintage pink tutu, creating a splash of colour and whimsical flair against the stark grey backdrop of 1847 London.
I can imagine the elegant and prim ladies' eyes widening in shock and surprise as I walked through their world. But then they’d see the joy in my face, the twirl of the fabric, the sheer delight that radiated around me - and a glimmer of a smile would appear on their own lips, perhaps even a flicker of yearning to express themselves with such vibrancy. I must have left an impact that day in Covent Garden - my splash of colour in their grey, my message of freedom in their restrictive fashion. Who knows, perhaps it even influenced the later adoption of the iconic tutu!
So, there you have it, darlings! A glimpse into the past where the groundwork for the ballerina tutu was laid - but the tutus themselves weren't quite here yet! Let’s raise a glass (of sparkling pink champagne, of course) to the history of the ballet, to the pioneering talents of Marie Taglioni, Carlotta Grisi, and Jules Perrot, and to the day when those early innovators laid the groundwork for the breathtaking grace we associate with ballet today!
Until next time, dear readers! Keep those twirling skirts moving and your minds dancing! Remember to stop by www.pink-tutu.com next week, and spread the message of "pink tutus for everyone!"
