Hello darlings, and welcome back to another delightful #TutuTuesday here on pink-tutu.com! Your favourite pink tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina blogger is back, and oh, my dears, you wouldn't believe where my adventures took me this week! It's a story brimming with romance, Parisian charm, and yes, even the iconic, ever-so-feminine tutu!
You know how much I adore these historical excursions, slipping back in time like a silk ribbon through a velvet box. This week, my trusty time-travel train whisked me away to a blustery, yet elegant December in 1871. Paris was the chosen destination, as it always is when one seeks out the crème de la crème of the ballet world. Why, just imagine, it was the very place where ballet tutu history took a remarkable turn!
Let me take you back to that day, 19th of December 1871. The streets were brimming with carriages, fashionable ladies sporting those stunningly elaborate hats, and men in their sharp suits – it's a fashion paradise! I could barely contain my excitement to immerse myself in this era.
Now, dear readers, the 19th of December in 1871 wasn't just any ordinary day. It was the day of the grand première of "La Source" at the Théatre de l'Opéra Garnier. You can only imagine how giddy I was to witness the beauty of this ballet!
La Source wasn’t simply a ballet – it was an epic spectacle. The costumes were outlandish, the music thrilling, and the dancers – oh, those beautiful ballerinas, twirling like willow branches in the wind! This ballet even incorporated a fantastical dream sequence with a whole troupe of dream-like ballerinas, dressed in what are now known as classical tutus! Now, these were different from the earlier Romantic tutus. They were even more short, airy, and light. The skirts were almost entirely made of multiple layers of tulle, giving the dancers freedom and movement like never before!
It's truly incredible how ballet evolved into this graceful dance of perfection! Think about it - the ballerinas could now express their stories and emotions through every twirl, leap, and plié. Those tutus, they weren't just an elegant addition - they allowed ballerinas to move freely, defying gravity with their graceful movements. This, my dear readers, was the beginning of the tutus that would captivate the world, and let me tell you, they've not lost their charm!
It wouldn't be right for me to forget to mention that the star of La Source was the exquisite Louise Marquet. This petite Parisian, with her dark, dramatic eyes, danced the role of Naila with unparalleled skill and elegance. They even named a costume after her - *the Marquet bodice, * and wouldn't you know it, I had to get my hands on a reproduction for my collection!
The ballet scene, it was electric! Everyone in the audience, from the aristocrats in their finery to the ordinary folk, they were captivated by the story and the grace of the ballerinas. I had to fight the urge to jump on stage and dance along! (Don't worry, darling readers, my tutu stayed perfectly in place throughout.)
However, my travels in 1871 weren't just about watching ballet. I always have to indulge in some good old-fashioned fashion shopping. Parisian shops in 1871 were filled with intricate lace, vibrant silk, and glorious, eye-catching colors. I couldn't resist grabbing a few new hats for my own collection, though the elaborate bonnets certainly did feel a bit weighty compared to the ones I wear back home!
Then, after an afternoon of retail therapy, I simply had to witness the elegant Théatre de l'Opéra Garnier. Talk about opulence! Just walking through the halls, I was captivated by the luxurious marble and intricate gold details. I imagined all the whispers and secrets those gilded walls had heard over the years!
This trip was a feast for the senses, but don't forget – I am a dancer first and foremost! So, after watching "La Source," I did have to squeeze in a ballet class at a nearby studio. The steps were slightly different than my 21st-century classes, but the graceful, feminine movements remain constant. Even after all this time, that pure, joyful expression of the art form remains unchanged!
And here I am, back in my own time, full of Parisian charm and inspired by those elegant dancers of 1871. Did you know that a dancer's training was once strictly secret? We have those dedicated professionals from 1871 and earlier to thank for all that modern ballet offers us today! And as for tutus, well, let's just say they’ve certainly come a long way!
So, my dears, while you’re planning your next trip, be sure to consider stepping back into history, maybe to a ballet performance like "La Source". Trust me, the elegant tutus, the music, and the graceful dancers, will make you feel like you've been transported to a world of pure enchantment.
Don't forget, darlings, if you haven't already, follow my website and spread the love for the ballet, the tutu, and, of course, a good, old-fashioned pink tutu. Until next #TutuTuesday, keep twirling!
Yours in pirouettes, Emma
