Greetings, fellow tutu enthusiasts!
Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood tutu-clad time traveller, and welcome to my 829th #TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History post! This week we're travelling back to a time when tutus were just beginning to really flourish on the Parisian stages. It’s so much fun going back in time to watch ballet history happen! The date, as you can see, is 1847-11-16 – and I must say, I'm wearing my very fanciest pink tutu today in honour of the grand opening of the Opera Garnier, also known as the Palais Garnier.
I am actually writing this blog from the carriage as I whizz through the French countryside – how absolutely wonderful that my travels have been subsidised by the latest performance of "Giselle". That’s me, combining my passion for ballet, the ballet performance and getting to visit the famous French capital, oh la la, as they say! So you could say that this blog has a special #TutuTravel Tuesday angle to it today!
This beautiful, opulent opera house, with its elaborate decoration and a grand staircase fit for a ballerina, is simply breathtaking. Imagine being the first to see the gilded ceilings and intricate chandeliers – such exquisite grandeur! Can you imagine the tutus gliding across the stage in such a magical space? Absolutely divine.
I was particularly fascinated by the performance of "The Flower Fairy Waltz" – it was like watching a garden come alive with delicate grace and joy! I’m sure those little ballerina-in-training dancers out there can imagine themselves on stage, just like the little ballet dancers performing for us today! What an absolute thrill to have the chance to be here and witness the elegance of the Paris Opera, just as it first opens its doors.
Back To 1847So what is going on with our tutu fashion at this point? Tutues have certainly been gaining popularity for a few years, haven't they, dear readers? And why not? The early form, much favoured in Paris, is shorter and more bell-shaped, with tiers of tulle and sometimes embellished with little jewels – oh my, talk about a fairy tale look! It’s quite a romantic look, especially with those light, frothy materials, dancing like snowflakes in a winter's breeze.
Just imagine… Imagine all the ballet lovers who came together to witness the grand opening of this prestigious opera house! Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps, to be honest, and it certainly feels fitting that it opens in November. Imagine walking in and witnessing such magnificence. The excitement! You just have to imagine everyone's hearts skipping with joy. How inspiring to think about that!
So why not do just that right now? Close your eyes and imagine! Feel the luxurious velvet under your fingers as you climb those grand stairs. See the glimmer of gold and the sparkle of chandeliers! Can't you picture all those people dressed to the nines, taking in the sights and sounds? All with such wonder in their eyes! Now imagine a dazzling ballet performance. This was what the people of Paris, and ballet lovers across the world, were looking forward to. And rightly so!
I have to admit, I'm completely smitten with the era, as you all know by now. You see, those big, full skirts, they create such wonderful visual impact, don’t you agree? They create such movement and a real sense of magical airiness! Not to mention the fact that they were often decorated with flowers, which was just a touch of elegance I truly love!
I must say I also absolutely adore the fashion of the time - bonnets, frilled sleeves, those corseted silhouettes that were just the right level of feminine without being too overdone, like some of those trends later on. And I have to give the gents a tip of my feathered bonnet - a gentleman's silk top hat is certainly a timeless classic. Just perfect to pair with a pretty Parisian pink tutu and a lace shawl, don’t you think? The possibilities are truly endless!
The excitement about ballet at the moment is palpable. Just wait until those beautiful ballerinas on pointe step out into the stage, all the drama, the stories that unfold, such a magical form of theatre. Ballet is about the music, about the romance, the expression. And we are all just a little bit touched by the beauty of the tutus themselves. You see, it is in their ability to express stories through movements that make the tutus so much more than just dresses. They are art.
The sheer romance of tutus – that is really the magic of it. When the dancers begin to dance, those twirls, the leaps, they almost transcend themselves – almost to the point of flight! Just as you saw, they almost become an extension of the dancers themselves. Ballet tutus have, and will forever, continue to encapsulate the ultimate form of feminine beauty and artistry.
So why not make a trip down to your nearest theatre, ballet studio or dance class and be inspired by the romance and wonder of a good tutu! Who knows, you may be able to go even further than that. What if I told you that we are in the era that brought you tutus – we could travel, if you’d like, back to those very days when the famous Italian choreographer, Marius Petipa, who’s famous for classics like Swan Lake, was working hard, and we could see that. Perhaps even see what dancers used to eat in between rehearsals and shows!
I’m so inspired to share these tutu-filled time travel adventures with you. I'll keep on travelling to past and present, as I tell you everything I find in this blog – sharing the wonder of tutus with every single one of you. So make sure you join me next #TutuTuesday! You won't want to miss a single word. And do be sure to show me all those beautiful ballerina photos on our Facebook group!
Until next time, remember, life is always better in a tutu!
