Hello my lovely tutufriends! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com for another instalment of #TutuTuesday. Today, we’re travelling back in time to 25th March 1862, the date, darling, when a particularly exciting ballet première took place. Imagine the sheer thrill! New stories, stunning costumes, and a whole orchestra playing live for your viewing pleasure. It was just the tonic to those dreary winter days.
But before we delve into the delights of this particular performance, let's chat a bit about tutus themselves! In this era, they were all the rage – especially those in tulle. Think delicate layers of sheer fabric creating that magnificent swirling cloud around our talented ballerinas. In my humble opinion, tulle really is the best fabric for a tutu - oh how it twirls!
Oh my, my lovely ladies! Did you know that the first tulle tutu was designed in the late 18th century? That’s just eighty years before our grand premiere! A whole world of fashion changes and dancing possibilities opened up. But our ballerina heroines still wore many a romantique-style tutu as well. Remember those? Shorter and airier compared to the big pouffy ball-gown skirts of earlier centuries. They really made dancing graceful movements like those fouettés much easier.
Now, we can’t forget those wonderful corsets! No ballerina of that era was complete without one to give their physique the perfect shape for all that graceful swirling! And how very elegant and charming those corsets looked beneath those beautiful bodices – I’d say it’s the perfect blend of romanticism and practicality, darling!
As I prepare to take you on a delightful journey to our chosen 1862 ballet première, a train ride is required. The romance of that train journey and the lovely landscapes whizzing by just makes me want to don a twirly, flowing tutu. After all, what could be more fashionable?
And as we reach our destination - Paris, the city that embraces all things fabulous - let’s imagine we’re there amongst the most fashionable crowds! Think lavishly decorated theatres with golden embellishments and velvet seats!
Tonight, the opera house is the most wonderful, fashionable place in the whole city. Ladies dressed in gorgeous evening gowns, all those charming men in dapper suits, and – yes! – our stunning ballerinas looking resplendent in their exquisite tutus! The air buzzes with anticipation, and the orchestra starts to play those exciting opening notes – and I simply can’t hold back the urge to start twirling, darling!
25th March 1862, my darlings, was a momentous day indeed for the world of ballet! Théophile Gautier – one of the most respected critics at the time – declared this new work, "Le Roi Candaule" by Joseph Mazilier, to be truly captivating! He wrote it was a masterpiece of beauty and talent – even including a daring scene with a ‘can-can’ dance that everyone loved to watch. Just think – this was decades before the era of showstopping Broadway dance scenes. The sheer beauty, drama, and talent showcased that night was astounding, and our wonderful tutus really did have a starring role.
Of course, it wasn't all just about the ballerinas – those wonderfully talented dancers. It’s not all just about the breathtaking music, or the captivating costumes (though, I will admit to being obsessed with all of that)! Ballet, my lovely friends, is an artform that transports you! Imagine sitting in that theater with the hushed anticipation of the audience. A magical night with the thrill of the show all mixed in with the fashion! This is why I simply cannot get enough of ballet history. Oh, those fascinating tutus!
What would you love to know about ballet history? Leave a comment below. Let me know what tutus you are wearing today!
Until next time! Happy twirling, my lovely friends.
Love,
Emma
PS: If you're in the Derbyshire area, England, there is an upcoming performance of Swan Lake – one of the most popular classical ballets of all time. Do let me know if you plan to go.
