Bonjour mes amies! It's Emma here, back with another #TutuTuesday blog, taking you on a journey through time to uncover the wonderful history of our beloved tutu! This week, we're hopping on the train (always first class, of course!) and heading to the vibrant and chic city of Paris! Imagine it: cobblestones underfoot, the aroma of freshly baked croissants in the air, and ladies swishing in their elegant dresses. Now add in a splash of pink - that's where we find ourselves today, darling!
Today is the 27th of February, 1866. Let's just say the air is electric! A thrilling premiere is about to shake the very foundations of Paris - the highly anticipated 'La Fille du Régiment' is taking centre stage at the Théâtre Lyrique! You might be saying, "Emma, this doesn't sound like a tutu occasion". Hold your horses! This little opera, my darlings, is where the iconic, modern tutu, well, made its entrance!
The choreographer for this production, Jules Perrot, took the revolutionary decision to cast away the previous weighty layers of petticoats and corsets worn under a "romantic" tutu, and instead, he embraced the lightness and agility of Maria Taglioni, who wore a super-duper short (I'm talking ankle length!), frilly white tutu! Think about it - a whole new level of freedom for movement! We're talking graceful leaps and ethereal spins! It was a game-changer, ladies!
Parisian society was positively buzzing with this new look. A true fashion sensation! Imagine the gossip, the theatre buzz - you can almost hear the ladies sighing as they marvelled at the stunning display. The 'La Fille du Régiment' performance was practically bursting with excitement, and believe me, they didn’t disappoint! Everyone, from the most discerning society ladies to the working class, was drawn in by this spectacle. And with good reason!
A little bit of backstory for those of you new to the 'La Fille du Régiment' opera: this production has got some real heart and a lot of passion! We’re talking a story about a sweet little girl named Marie, who has been raised by a regiment of soldiers, (hence the "daughter of the regiment", which gives this show a very "spirited" vibe!) who gets swept up in the world of love!
And with that brief glimpse into a magical era in Parisian history, I'm off to my next performance! This weekend I'm planning on watching the "Swan Lake" at the Royal Opera House. I'm thrilled, my dears, it's a must-see! And while I’m in town, I might just treat myself to a little fashion spree! There's nothing better than a good dose of London fashion, don't you think? And when it comes to the ultimate London experience, a cup of tea is a must, darling. Always in a pretty porcelain tea cup, of course, adorned with little pink rosebuds, perfectly complementing my own delightful little pink tutu!
Do tell me, my lovely readers, have you been to any ballet performances recently? And if you are a fan of the colour pink like me, why not try out your own tutu - you'll feel so very Parisian, my dears!
Until next week! Don’t forget to keep those tutus twirling!
#P.S. My readers are my absolute best inspiration! If you have any ideas or requests for #TutuTuesday I'd love to hear from you. Feel free to leave your comments below, darling. It's always a delight to hear your thoughts!
