Hello darlings! It's your favourite tutu-tastic time traveller, Emma, back again with another dive into the captivating world of ballet history!
This week, we're stepping back to a time of opulent ballrooms, gaslight-lit streets, and a world utterly captivated by the art of ballet. Today's #TutuTuesday takes us to June 24th, 1873! Can you imagine, darlings? A world without television, without the internet, without even electricity in every home! But amidst those seeming inconveniences, the theatre world was ablaze with life!
The very mention of "June 24th, 1873" makes me want to whip out my very finest pink tutu, twirl in a waltz around the grand salon, and shout, "Tonight, darlings, we celebrate the legacy of those glorious dancers of yore!"
Now, you may be wondering, Emma, why this date in particular? Well, dear readers, imagine this: you're walking through the bustling streets of London, the aroma of fresh bread wafting from a nearby baker, the gaslights flickering their orange glow against the dark stone buildings. As you round the corner, you see a poster plastered onto the wall.
The Royal Opera House!
There, before your eyes, the name of the grand theatre itself, beckoning you to step inside its opulent halls! It's the 24th of June, 1873, and you've stumbled upon a glorious occasion - the premiere of the Ballet 'La Source'!
Ah, darlings, I just can't contain my excitement! This was a moment when the very spirit of ballet twirled its way into the heart of London! "La Source," a magnificent creation by Léo Delibes, a French composer, featuring choreography by none other than the esteemed Marius Petipa!
Now, you know I love my tutu research! The first thing I always do is dive into the costumes. What did the dancers wear for this iconic ballet? Well, dear readers, picture this: the romantic style of ballet had begun its transition towards something more classical. While the romantic tutu was all billowing, layered tulle, 'La Source' introduced a more streamlined, yet equally beautiful, tutu - the so-called 'La Source tutu.' This type of tutu was significantly shorter than the earlier romanticized ones, often with just a single layer of netting for the dancers to twirl effortlessly and with grace.
And how do you think our dancers got to the premiere? I can imagine them stepping onto a horse-drawn carriage (imagine, darlings, no traffic, just a gentle clip-clop along cobbled streets!), perhaps a handsome gentleman, complete with a top hat, assisting each elegant ballerina in with her delicate tulle and graceful satin slippers.
But I'm not going to let you be simply spectators in this wonderful scene, dear readers! Come, take my hand, and step right through this blog with me as we time-travel to Paris, where 'La Source' premiered a year before its London debut, on April 12th, 1872, at the esteemed Opéra Garnier, with all its opulence and splendor!
The story of the ballet is a delightful romantic affair, one which captivated Parisian audiences as well as the critics. Imagine:
A shepherd, Louis, pines for his beloved, Naila, and they dance to their heart's content amidst a breathtaking backdrop of mountain peaks and babbling brooks. And the tutus, oh the tutus! This early Parisian debut saw these magnificent, almost contemporary, ballerina costumes! And to think, just a few years before this, tutus were voluminous! This new aesthetic truly captures the spirit of the time. Fashion in Paris was rapidly evolving, moving toward elegance and a more modern sense of refinement. It's no wonder these costumes, which incorporated a sense of lightness and a focus on form and line, mirrored this evolution!
To fully appreciate 'La Source,' imagine the stunning backdrop, the opulent settings, the dancers' movements illuminated by the brilliant gaslights! I envision those ballerinas pirouetting gracefully, with such agility, each turn showcasing their artistry. The entire spectacle must have been quite breathtaking!
The Impact of La Source
'La Source' played a crucial role in reshaping the landscape of the classical ballet world. It brought a more streamlined style of dancing, one emphasizing the ballerina's elegance, technical skill, and poise. This, combined with the impact of its modernistic approach to costumes, led to a shift in fashion aesthetics both within the ballet world and even influencing fashionable trends outside of the stage.
The influence of 'La Source' extends beyond the theater and fashion, darling! Think of it - this elegant, delicate aesthetic! It embodies the spirit of the time. A time of social and political change! A time of optimism and artistic expression! A time when everything was possible. It's no wonder it inspired some of the greatest dancers and artists of that time.
In the 1870s, London, particularly, was bursting with innovative dance trends! We are talking about ballroom dances like the waltz, the polka, and the quadrille! These were the popular dances, darlings, even more so than today's tango or hip hop! And if you were a true Londoner, you'd certainly join in on the grand balls, the society dinners, and the high-tea receptions, and of course, the ballet! Imagine all those swirling dresses, the dazzling jewel tones, the rustling silk, the clatter of shoes! All amidst that warm gaslight glow, and of course, those enchanting ballet performances. It's no wonder we associate these dances and events with elegance, glamour, and the quintessential Victorian good times!
And as you might have guessed, dear readers, tutus had a role to play in all of it! It wasn't just the stage that showcased these magnificent costumes! Even those fashion-forward ladies would adorn their own bodies with tutus, especially during the dancing parties! While maybe not exactly the exact same tutu the ballet dancers wore, they definitely inspired a look that resonated across all the social levels!
Let's bring it back to today!
The time travelling Emma can certainly tell you that, through all those time travels, this time in history holds a special place for me. For my fellow pink tutu lovers, 'La Source' exemplifies a defining period of the ballet world. This was when ballet was reborn! A rebirth that propelled its grace, its elegance, and its storytelling abilities into the spotlight of the modern era! I dare you, dear readers, next time you see a beautiful ballerina grace the stage, think about that history behind their elegant tulle. There is a lineage there, one with a vibrant past and a sparkling future, ready to continue to enchant and captivate.
So, darlings, I'll leave you with this: embrace your love of ballet! Be bold and beautiful, just like those early pioneers! Be confident! You know I'll be back next #TutuTuesday! Always with another exciting chapter to share from the fascinating history of the tutu!
Until then, darlings, keep twirling and spreading that pink tutu love!
Yours truly,
Emma The Pink Tutu Blogger www.pink-tutu.com
