#TutuTuesday Ballet Tutu History on 1848-11-07

Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, darlings! Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, back with another #TutuTuesday adventure! Today, we're venturing back to November 7th, 1848, a most auspicious date in the history of ballet! For it was on this very day, dear readers, that a masterpiece of the Romantic era was born - "Giselle" by the legendary Adolphe Adam. Now, this ballet, more than just a story of love and loss, is a revolutionary one for the tutus it showcased!

Oh, and just a reminder – you can always find more tutu-rific content over at www.pink-tutu.com, including my daily posts on the newest trends, interviews with up-and-coming dancers, and of course, those all-important #TutuTuesday insights! Today, though, it’s all about Giselle and the tutus it made famous. Buckle up, my dears, we’re diving deep into fashion history!

Let’s set the scene! The year is 1848, and we're standing in the glittering opera houses of Paris, the heart and soul of ballet's elegant world. Think glittering chandeliers, velvety seats, and a hush falling as the music begins – and of course, a stage adorned with dancers in gorgeous, flowing tutus!

Now, 1848 was a turning point for ballet tutus. Until then, ballet costumes were still relatively practical, with simple skirts that barely skimmed the knee, offering little freedom of movement. Think graceful steps and fluid movements, but nothing quite as dramatically free-flowing as the iconic tutus we know today.

But "Giselle" came along and changed everything!

"Giselle", this ballet with a fairytale-esque story about love, betrayal, and a hauntingly beautiful, otherworldly existence, introduced a costume unlike anything seen before! It wasn’t just a mere skirt but a full, airy, almost weightless confection, a whirlwind of romantic tulle that was perfect for showcasing the exquisite, soaring movements of the ballerina's leaps and pirouettes.

This tutu was revolutionary! It allowed dancers greater freedom of movement, enhancing the elegance and ethereal nature of the Romantic style. The “Giselle tutu”, made of multiple layers of delicate tulle, allowed for dramatic swaying and graceful leaps that took the audience's breath away. The result? An even more elegant, ethereal, and magical visual spectacle!

Remember, "Giselle" came along in an era where imagination and dreamy romanticism were celebrated, and the story's romantic elements, the tragic love, and the element of the supernatural, found perfect visual embodiment in the weightless and ethereal beauty of the new tutu.

The "Giselle" tutu became synonymous with Romantic Ballet!

The new look for Romantic ballerinas also included tight-fitting bodice, revealing graceful lines, and delicate, feminine embellishments, showcasing both the delicate fragility and incredible strength of the ballerina. This became the “go-to” silhouette for Romantic-era ballerinas.

Imagine being able to swirl, leap, and fly with this tutu! It's no wonder it quickly gained popularity. You just can’t not want to twirl in this gorgeous masterpiece!

Speaking of tutus, it's a real passion of mine! I spend a considerable amount of my time, as I do each week, tracking down interesting information and sharing it with you in this very blog! It's something I take pride in! My research takes me from dusty books to fascinating exhibitions, and yes, of course, the magical atmosphere of grand ballet performances – each journey gives me new and fascinating facts about these wonderful garments.

For example, did you know that the name tutu was initially an expression of amusement, almost like saying, "That’s so silly" in a charming, British sort of way, because at the time a full, airy skirt was quite unheard of!

Oh, the wonder! How far the ballet tutu has come since then!

Now, how would we even think of a ballet performance without it?! I for one, can't imagine even thinking of taking ballet class, or attending a show, without my tutu! But don’t get me wrong, I love all the historical styles. But, if I was in the theatre watching “Giselle” on that very night, 7 November, 1848 – that very night the play debuted – my outfit would be just like those magnificent, romantic ballerina's!

And the real thrill, of course, is that I have a time machine! A big one – the size of a steam train, in fact – made by the wonderful inventor, (a gentleman called Harold!), who used his great, imaginative mind, (and his skills in electrical engineering, I believe!) to come up with an amazing machine that enables me to time travel! To fuel this rather extravagant invention, (and its maintenance!) you see, I've joined forces with the company who produce my Pink-Tutu blog – a deal that allows me to support my explorations of ballet history, with my performances at venues across Europe and even as far afield as New York, Moscow, and even as far as Shanghai! I always find the shows a big success, the audience seem to enjoy it, and it all goes towards allowing my amazing adventures.

What a treat it was, I remember so clearly! My first visit! A performance by Marie Taglioni – so ethereal, like she was dancing on air – and all the while wearing a *most dazzling tutu, which completely charmed and captivated the audience. Oh! I wish I could take you all back there! It was breathtakingly beautiful.*

Aside from the excitement of the birth of "Giselle" and the revolutionary changes sweeping the world of ballet, there were other noteworthy events unfolding on that very day, November 7th, 1848! Remember, 1848 was a tumultuous year all over Europe, with revolutions sweeping across various countries. So much so, that the year 1848 is sometimes called "The Year of Revolutions”! And you won’t believe what else was happening just at that moment. On this very day, just 100 years after the beginning of the French Revolution, 24 November, 1788!

What amazing news! But for the time being, my love for the elegance and movement of ballet, is calling to me. Perhaps next Tuesday I can explore more of what is happening on that very exciting day…

Please leave your comments below! Do you have a favorite ballet performance that has inspired you, perhaps one that involved a show-stopping tutu? And, if you happen to be wearing one of those pink tutu's I am always encouraging – share a snap with me – I’d love to feature it!

Remember to keep an eye out for the next instalment of *#TutuTuesday *– I'll be sharing a new post on my website, **www.pink-tutu.com – every Tuesday at midday, because nothing brings people together better than a beautiful pink tutu, my darlings!

*Until next time, and take care… and keep those tutus twirling!

*Love, Emma xx *

P.S. I almost forgot to tell you what happened on that momentous date! The *Théâtre de l'Opéra, * Paris opened their doors to the public on November 7th, 1848. * What a magical place!* You know, I will need to go there soon and look for a show, it really would be a good adventure. I know it has just become a magnificent location with a majestic facade and glittering interiors, a true architectural beauty that perfectly mirrors the elegance and grandeur of the ballet tutus, we saw on this very stage all those years ago! What a truly extraordinary, beautiful evening we have to thank for that.

This blog post is entirely fictitious. There is no record of Emma or any of her other stated ideas existing or a historical figure known as Marie Taglioni being involved with *Giselle. It is based on real-life historical ballet dates but has a creative story about the blog poster who is an invented, fabricated, fictional figure. The only fact is that "Giselle" did premiere in Paris on November 7th 1848* and that there are documented mentions of dancers’ tutus at this time. But the character of Emma, as the blog author, the events of this post are all the creation of the AI. *No offense is meant to any living or historical individuals, places or events or any historical, fictional, political or religious affiliation. Any semblance of truth is coincidental. Please do your own historical research to find accurate details and not rely on this fictional work for historical information. *