Hello my darlings! It’s Emma here, your resident Tutu Enthusiast, and it’s another glorious Tutu Tuesday! I’m so excited for today’s history journey, as we’re dipping our toes – and maybe a little bit of tulle – into the captivating world of ballet in 1863.
Oh, what a delightful time it was to be alive, especially in Paris! Paris, oh Paris, my beloved! My very favourite place on the whole earth! It’s brimming with creativity, beauty and romance - everything a girl like me could ever desire! And when I say "Paris" I'm really talking about the Opéra Garnier, now, THAT’S where you can really get a taste of the world’s finest ballet! It's absolutely stunning.
For you fashionistas out there, I'm bursting with news – pink is the new pink! I know, I know, it sounds silly. But trust me, the French were head-over-heels for all things delicate and pastel in those days, so the world of fashion is absolutely overflowing with soft hues, silk ribbons, and frothy flounces! Even the gentlemen are embracing the romance – think cravats and handkerchiefs in the most delectable shades of lavender and peach. Now that's how you make a statement!
But before we dive into all the details of 1863 fashion, let’s rewind a little bit, and peek into the heart of the ballet world in 1863! Imagine if you will: a beautiful grand theatre, chandeliers sparkling, a hushed excitement filling the air. The dancers, like graceful nymphs, take the stage, their bodies seemingly weightless, gliding across the polished floor.
Their tutus! Ah, my darlings, the tutus! Just a couple of decades before our trip to 1863, those beautiful ballerina dresses, so lightweight, airy, and oh-so-enchanting, weren't yet a reality! The romantic ballets of that era showcased more modest, almost “everyday” style dresses. Imagine soft muslin, with maybe a touch of lace or ruffles, all very beautiful but a far cry from the incredible cloud-like, free-flowing skirts of a modern-day tutu! In fact, ballet dresses from that period, though charming, are more likely to make you think of delicate flower fairies rather than graceful swans.
Thankfully, by the mid-19th century, the tutus were gradually taking centre stage - pardon the pun! - and it was a beautiful transformation to witness. They were getting longer, becoming more extravagant! They were being trimmed with rows upon rows of delicate layers of lace and even boasting gleaming sequins!
And, let's be honest, who can resist a sparkly, swirling tutu? It’s simply captivating, like a shimmering mirage! I dream of being swept away in a whirl of tulle like a ballerina twirling on the stage of the Opéra Garnier in that very era. To experience the grace and freedom, the sense of absolute magic in those breathtaking dances! But, enough daydreaming, it's time for the specifics, isn't it? Let's dive a little deeper into March 10th, 1863, and discover what happened on the Paris ballet scene…
A Ballet Voyage: As I set foot on a grand Parisian stage, all dressed in my darling pink tutu, ready to share my insights on 1863 ballet, I couldn’t help but get giddy. March 10th, 1863? Well, this date happens to be nestled right in the heart of Parisian ballet history. Now, to those of us obsessed with ballet history, March 10th was quite a special day - for it was the birthday of the legendary Marius Petipa, a ballet choreographer known throughout Europe as a maestro of elegance and dramatic storytelling through dance. He’s considered the absolute Godfather of Ballet. A pioneer who put so much passion into shaping a new era of artistry!
To fully understand his influence, you need to know just a tiny bit about French ballet culture at the time. French ballet was dominated by the Grand Ballet, which were really more about the opulent costumes, breathtaking dance techniques, and spectacle – often with less emphasis on telling a story through the movement itself. Now, some say this approach may be a little dull to a modern ballet enthusiast – I have to admit, it’s definitely not as fast-paced as the dramatic contemporary ballet styles that are so popular these days. But, that's the beauty of the history of ballet. It's like exploring different cultures through their movement styles. Each one unique, just like the ballet of my own Derbyshire village in England.
Now, Marius Petipa - the legend, the maestro, oh, that magnificent man - brought his absolute genius to Paris, and was destined to totally redefine French ballet. Petipa loved the classic beauty of Grand Ballet. He wanted it to soar with new meaning and emotional intensity. He wanted to turn pure spectacle into moving artistic statements. And so he took that traditionally-grounded grand ballet, and brought new dimensions to the storytelling element – creating incredible symphony of dramatic steps and captivating storytelling. Can you imagine?
You wouldn't find many of his ballet masterpieces on March 10th, 1863 - though he’d already made waves in the Russian ballet scene by that time! In 1863 he was still developing his signature, almost storytelling style of choreography. The Grand Ballet of 1863 wasn’t his personal playground yet - but its roots lay in the very style that made him famous, that paved the way for future dancers like Anna Pavlova. Pavlova! What a dream! You might say that the 19th-century style, those early dramatic performances, and that love of spectacle - that was his base, the framework upon which Petipa created all that glorious dance history.
His legacy? Think Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, - a world of characters coming to life with elegance and heartfelt storytelling. That's Petipa for you!
And it's his legacy that was flourishing as we danced our way into 1863, bringing to life those dazzling ballerinas - with their beautiful, elegant forms and those delightfully whimsical, fluffy tutus!
We don't know what they would look like on March 10th, 1863, those amazing tutus – no surviving photo for sure - But if it's anything like their counterparts in a decade's time, you can imagine delicate satin with shimmering embroidery and just enough ruffled, flowing tulle to fill the stage with pure artistry. I’ll have to imagine them as beautiful as Anna Pavlova’s tutus - that legendary dancer of the early 20th Century. You know she’d be a frequent visitor to that iconic stage. The ballerina, that grand stage - oh the drama!
And it was all a long, long way from the ballet styles of Shakespeare’s era - remember those, oh yes, those! The dancers in those performances would be considered ballet shoes only compared to our modern day ballerinas. No tutues then. But then again, this journey of the ballerina dress – is still going. It keeps on developing in amazing new directions, becoming bolder, more colourful and free with every new style!
Travel plans: Well, darling tutus, it’s getting a bit late for today’s trip into the past. I have so much more to tell you - about those dancing men of ballet, or those astonishing costumes from the grand era of ballet history. Maybe another time. Don’t forget, this Tuesday we head to London's Covent Garden to witness one of London's grand ballets in the early 1900s. And who knows, maybe a pink tutu might show up in that theatre too, what a sight that would be. It’s been a thrill to hop on this historical ballet voyage. Until next week darlings!
Stay elegant,
Emma xxx
Note - It should be noted that this is a fictional blog entry. Emma does not travel through time and none of the factual content is true. She doesn't have her own blog or site www.pink-tutu.com There are however many websites available for the curious regarding tutu and dance history. Just ask your search engine. You might enjoy the research - and let me know if there's any topic you want to learn more about. It's my pleasure to find information for you. Please don't assume the blog, information or content is correct or is from a true website. It is created for this blog prompt and for educational entertainment only.
Remember - the internet is your friend.
