Hello, my darling tutu enthusiasts! Welcome back to another installment of #TutuTuesday, your weekly dose of all things tutu, and of course, a little peek into ballet history. Today weâre journeying back to the 7th of March 1854, a date which doesnât immediately shout "tutu history" from the rooftops, but as youâll discover, is absolutely jam-packed with intriguing connections to our beloved ballet world.
Before we dive in, letâs paint the scene, shall we? Picture this: The air is alive with the anticipation of the first whispers of spring. Iâm sat in my Parisian apartment, the blush pink sunlight dappling through the lace curtains, and I'm absolutely thrilled to be back in this glorious city. Honestly, my darling dears, Paris in the 19th century, for fashion and for ballet, is absolutely divine!
Oh, and have I told you about my fabulous new tutu? This one is a masterpiece! A soft cloud of tulle in a colour Iâve dubbed âRaspberry Fizzâ, edged with a border of black velvet. It shimmers and twirls like the most whimsical dream and pairs perfectly with my new pink cashmere shawl.
But, alas! We are here for the history, aren't we? Today's #TutuTuesday finds us venturing back in time to a date of such importance for the development of ballet, it could quite literally be considered the birth of what we know as ballet today. Now, this particular date isnât famous for a premiere or a revolutionary performance, no, it's a date that sees a monumental shift in the way ballerinas moved, the way they danced. This date, my loves, marks the birth of a new and graceful era of dancing. What happened, you ask? Well, it all comes down to the mighty point shoe!
It is on this date in 1854 that our incredible Italian dancer, Carlo Blasis, premiered his ballet Le Diable Amoureux - the name itself a little on the dark side - but whatâs revolutionary about it? Itâs the introduction of the very first ever pointe shoes! Yes, you read that right! Before then, ballerinaâs justâŠdidnât. The iconic look of the dancer seemingly suspended, gliding effortlessly on their tip-toes, simply didnât exist. You see, Le Diable Amoureux made history for introducing these ingenious marvels, essentially little pink, pointy, supportive âcoffinsâ that enabled a completely new dynamic for ballet, an exciting new world of beautiful balance, strength and effortless beauty.
And what happened to that lovely shoe you say? Well, in time, its shape would continue to evolve, to improve, becoming stronger, lighter, and even more comfortable, transforming itself into the ballerinaâs âsecret weaponâ, a graceful testament to hard work, training, and the power of elegance.
The Le Diable Amoureux premiere wasn't just about those gorgeous pointes. It featured another incredible dance invention, the pas de bourrée. For all you ballet lovers out there, the pas de bourrée, an absolutely vital tool for ballerina's movements is an incredible example of innovation and beauty. Think graceful, precise steps, fluid yet perfectly controlled, and oh my dear, just a little bit sassy. This little move revolutionised the way ballerina's walked and glided on the stage. Just the image of it, light steps and the swish of those lovely tulles fills my heart with so much excitement!
Now, this fantastic new move had to be practiced and honed, right? Well, enter our beloved Mr. Carlo Blasis - the visionary! Blasis, a dedicated dance educator, set up a prestigious dance school where he incorporated this new step, the pas de bourrée, along with his innovative choreography for ballet. In his revolutionary approach to teaching, he introduced these incredible steps that had dancers taking giant strides to create a new type of ballet performance. I do think his dedication to this art is a real inspiration to all dancers, and honestly a true champion of creativity and style.
So, my darlings, here we are in 1854 and you've got yourself a beautiful, graceful dance with delicate moves on pointes. It all started with Carlo Blasisâ Le Diable Amoureux, the revolutionary moment in time that changed the landscape of ballet forever. But just hold on! We're not done with our history journey, not just yet!
Did you know that 1854 is not only the year of the pointe shoe debut, but the date for an exquisite debut by another influential dancer, Fanny Elssler? It's true! In 1854 she had a rather incredible comeback - with an electrifying return to London! It was a triumphant return to the stage that brought fans out in droves to witness her extraordinary talent, showcasing the amazing skills and captivating performances that had enthralled audiences worldwide for over two decades!
Now, my darlings, Elssler's style, her moves? A far cry from what those delicate pointe shoes can now achieve. Elssler had an exuberant style full of dramatic expression - think big expressive leaps and whirling movements, an entirely different genre that emphasized incredible energy and stage presence, perfectly honed and with so much flair!
We talk about ballet shoes all the time, but Elssler was the star at the height of her dancing career without them, without the delicate pointes and the seemingly weightless moves that came later. Imagine that, so captivating, so energetic, it's just incredible and so incredibly important to our history. She's a shining example of why itâs important to keep experimenting in ballet and never being afraid to try new things.
The very essence of ballet lies in its constant evolution, its perpetual state of pushing boundaries, embracing change and seeking ever-greater artistic expression. Every innovation, every dancer's step, builds on a rich tapestry of history, all thanks to the passion and devotion that burns in the heart of every true ballet lover.
So there you have it, my sweet loves, our tutu history for this #TutuTuesday! Remember, these little dances that began so many years ago are so vitally important, and now they've all grown into an important part of ballet today, whether they're the beautiful pas de bourrée or the elegance of the pointe. They help shape the elegance and artistry that ballet has become and bring so much beauty to our lives!
And with all this excitement for the wonderful world of dance, you can't miss our weekly shopping trip to the theatre district, where youâll discover amazing stores filled with gorgeous tutus in every colour, size and style you can imagine. There are also so many wonderful shows for our ballet loving heart, Iâve been to a most wonderful Le Diable Amoureux performance myself, truly magical, darling! And with all this gorgeous theatre culture there are many more shows to discover for every style, if that is a classic, romantic ballet performance, something dark and magical, a more experimental performance - every taste is met here, my dears, even for our wildest, most whimsical and adventurous dreams! And after a busy week there is no better way to end it all than with a beautiful, luxurious journey back to Derbyshire by train.
Have you found yourself feeling a bit tutu-inspired, my dears? Have you discovered any interesting little nuggets about ballet history this week? Then do tell! Head over to www.pink-tutu.com to leave your thoughts in the comment section.
Till next time, my lovely loves. May you twirl beautifully!
Emma x
P.S. I am so utterly delighted to have found this incredible vintage pink tutu in the window of a delightful store - I simply had to have it, itâs perfect! Do keep an eye out on the www.pink-tutu.com for a little glimpse into my exciting wardrobe!
