Hello darlings! Emma here, your time-travelling ballerina, ready to take you on another trip through the fascinating world of ballet history. This week, we're jetting back to September 5th, 1871. Yes, you read that right! We're heading back to Victorian England!
This post is number 2071 on my Ballet Tutu History blog, and as always, I'm rocking my favourite pink tutu - the one with the swirling layers of tulle and the adorable little bows! Oh, how I do love the theatre of the past, with its intricate details and breathtaking beauty.
Now, back to 1871! This particular date in history was filled with exciting things - for the fashionistas, at least. It was the height of the Victorian era, a time when fashion was all about elaborate designs and delicate lace. Corsets were all the rage, ladies sported large-brimmed hats, and ladies' dresses, especially for formal events, were simply breathtakingly intricate. But for us ballet aficionados, it was a time when the tutus were beginning to evolve!
Think big and bold, darlings. The Romantic Era was at its peak, and those fluffy tutus weren't quite as lightweight as you see today. They were much, much fuller. It was almost impossible to dance with all that material - more a grand tableau of ethereal beauty, than a graceful performance! The dancers were, after all, just getting used to the concept of lifting their legs off the ground to dance en pointe, and those early tutus, whilst majestic, definitely hampered their movements. Imagine trying to do a fouette with all those layers! You'd probably need a whole troupe to hold your skirt up!
Still, it was a time of magnificent extravagance. Tutus were usually white, a symbol of purity, and often embellished with intricate hand-stitched lace or embroidery. Imagine dancing beneath a chandelier with all those shimmering lights bouncing off your exquisite tutu. Simply divine, don't you think?
So what was on this date, September 5th, 1871? Let's just say the London theatre scene was alive and kicking! There were countless ballet productions to be seen. A particularly notable event was the Royal Opera House presenting a magnificent revival of “Giselle,” a ballet that truly epitomises the romantic style. Imagine the scene! The majestic waltz in Act 1 with Giselle dressed in the perfect long white romantic tutu, and the heartbreaking, ethereal ballet in the forest setting in Act 2 as she dances to her demise - utterly enchanting!
Imagine me in my pink tutu sitting in the Royal Opera House. I'd be surrounded by elegant ladies in their gowns, gentlemen in top hats and tails, and the scent of lilies filling the air. It's enough to make any ballerina’s heart flutter, wouldn't you agree?
And you know what else was special about this day? It marked the end of a long, sweltering summer. In Derbyshire, where I'm from, it had been a tough one. But, in London, on this date, a lovely autumn breeze blew through the city. It was the perfect day to be at the ballet and feel the magic of the season settling over the city.
My, this is just a little taste of the vibrant life in 1871. Oh, how I wish we could be back there with the elegant gowns and fluffy, layered tutus! Sadly, our modern day ballerinas couldn’t get away with the dramatic grandness of the past. But isn’t it fun to dream about it?
So, remember darlings, put on your pink tutu, imagine you are whirling across the stage in London, in the year 1871! What better way to enjoy a Tuesday, eh?
Until next time, stay tutu-fied!
Emma xx
www.pink-tutu.com
