Greetings, darlings! Emma here, back with another fabulous #TutuTuesday adventure into the history of our beloved ballet tutus! This week, we're waltzing back in time to January 22nd, 1867 – a date that just wouldn't be complete without a very special performance!
As I stepped out of my time machine in Paris, the air was thick with the aroma of fresh pastries and excitement. Today, darling, is the day that The Paris Opera premiered La Source. This magnificent production, a romantic ballet, features some of the most captivating choreography by the legendary Arthur Saint-Léon, and boasts a gorgeous score by none other than the divine Delibes! I absolutely had to see it.
Speaking of seeing… the costumes, darlings! Stunning. This is where we get to the real meat of today's post: the evolution of the tutu. Think of La Source as a transitional moment in the story of ballet wear. You see, we're still moving away from the Romanesque style with its long, flowing skirts and flowing tunics that resembled Roman garments. Instead, we're embracing a shorter, lighter silhouette that shows off the dancer's graceful lines – a silhouette, as we all know, that eventually leads us to the modern-day tutu!
It's fascinating, really! Before we had the tutu with its iconic layered and pleated skirts, dancers wore outfits made from tulle, gauze, or lightweight silk. La Source, with its lavish sets, amazing costumes and stunning dance scenes, is the first ballet in history to truly embrace this new shorter and lighter style – think of it as a preview of the modern tutu coming in the future!
Now, I know what you're thinking… you want to see these revolutionary outfits, right? Imagine a skirt of light white gauze, a sort of swirling, cloud-like design! I must admit, La Source really took the cloud-like concept to new heights, darling! Imagine white as the foundation – pure and elegant, perfectly capturing the ballerina’s angelic beauty! Now, sprinkle on touches of other colours – blues, greens, silver threads… it's like starlight scattered amongst the clouds.
Don't get me wrong, darling, this ballet wasn't about minimalism! It was full of rich details that complemented the intricate, flowing choreography! Imagine rows and rows of glittering sequins catching the light, creating a breathtaking spectacle, truly enhancing the movement of the dancers in a most delightful way. It’s all about that sparkle! And oh, don't even get me started on the beautiful ballet shoes with their dainty pink satin ribbons!
While the story of La Source itself may be lost to time, its visual legacy remains a vibrant and exciting influence on modern ballet. In this, the 1860s, we can see the exciting shift towards a style of dance attire that truly emphasizes the dancer's athleticism, beauty, and most importantly – her femininity. I mean, can you imagine dancing in long skirts, darlings? It sounds terrible, right?!
Now, you're probably wondering how this all fits in with our beloved tutus, right? Well, here's the magic: these exciting changes in costumes helped set the stage for a complete evolution! Over time, designers started experimenting even further with the shape of the skirts. And the result, you might say, was pure magic: The tutu as we know it today was born! It wasn't just pretty, darling – the tutu truly revolutionized the way we think about ballet.
And as always, darling, I have a special little challenge for you this week. It's time to channel your inner ballerina and show your own sparkle. Get creative, explore the history of ballet costume, and tell me – what colour tutu do you think would be perfect to capture the elegance and magic of La Source? Don't forget to share your fabulous designs with me on #PinkTutu! I can't wait to see what amazing creations you come up with!
Until next time, darlings!
Emma x
P.S. You can always find me, my loves, at www.pink-tutu.com where my journey through #TutuTuesday history is forever in bloom.
*P.P.S I’m absolutely *delighted with my travel this week. Paris is so full of history and excitement, and oh my – the shops are fabulous! I'm buying all the latest styles. Let's just say, my suitcases are already starting to feel a bit full! But nothing can stand in the way of my love for vintage and exquisite couture. * Especially* for those gorgeous feathered boas! Don’t even get me started! **
Some historical notes from Emma's time traveling research!
La Source is not your typical story. There was a fair bit of debate about this piece. People at the time just couldn't decide whether to categorize this piece as a Ballet, *a *Ballet d'action, or *a *Drame lyrique. And if you're like me, and love a good plot, La Source is a bit tricky… It's a complicated story, to say the least, involving a lot of historical drama and maybe even some... romantic shenanigans, let's say! But, the real beauty, lies in the *incredible dance sequences, darling. So exciting!
The original costume design for La Source was so influential and revolutionary, that even today people still adore the outfits from the original productions! Now, that’s saying something. Remember, in ballet, darling, costumes have to serve a purpose. Think of them as extensions of the dancer's movements, helping to accentuate the graceful steps and leaps!
And… a bit of a personal fashion secret: when it comes to tutus no one does it like the Paris Opera, darling. It's simply incredible. From the most luxurious materials and embroidery… it’s a world of exquisite ballet glamour! And you know I can't resist a bit of elegance when it comes to my wardrobe… especially the color pink, darling!
- Just as a bit of fun - my trip to Paris was so inspiring – so much beauty and culture! But there’s a downside. The train journey home wasn’t quite as romantic as I had hoped... Let’s just say there were very few people in fancy dresses... I guess I shall have to take myself to the theatre when I arrive. Much better a big production with a *fabulous stage set! That is truly the most elegant way to travel!
Now you know I adore travelling around the world, visiting new and exotic places! As soon as the ballet season is over it’s time to find a new date on the history of our beloved tutus. And to think... The best is yet to come!
#TutuTuesday
