Hello darlings, and welcome to another exciting #TutuTuesday on Pink-Tutu.com! This week, I’m taking a trip back in time to November 25th, 1873. Grab your tea, darling, and settle in for a fascinating glimpse into the world of ballet just over a century and a half ago. It’s my 2187th post and I'm bursting with excitement to share all about the magic I discovered on this little journey!
Let’s set the scene, shall we? Picture it, London! Oh, to walk the streets in a crisp autumn morning! Cobbled lanes, bustling with horsedrawn carriages, the smell of fresh-baked bread and chimneys billowing with smoke. It's all so charming! And the fashion! I just adore the bonnets and the ladies' flowing dresses, so romantic. The men’s top hats are terribly dapper, too, don’t you think?
As for the ballet, it’s just beginnings, darling! You wouldn't believe the way they dance - all precise and strict. No big leaps and twirls just yet! Think graceful and elegant, but still very focused on storytelling and expressive movement.
My quest to learn more about tutus, my love, has brought me to a small workshop tucked away in a charming little backstreet, hidden from the bustling city outside. The owner, a sweet lady with twinkling eyes and a wealth of knowledge, introduced me to a fascinating story – the story of Marie Taglioni’s tutu.
You see, darling, Marie Taglioni, the prima ballerina of the era, she's known for changing everything, and her costume was at the heart of it! Before her, ballet dancers wore heavier, longer skirts - quite cumbersome to move in, wouldn't you say? She decided, no! The skirt must show her movements! This led to her wearing a very short skirt – imagine a little above the knee! – with layers of tulle and lots of ruffles at the bottom. The result? A whole new level of movement, flow, and freedom, allowing dancers to execute jumps, turns, and graceful arabesques that simply wouldn’t have been possible before!
It's a little bit shorter than what we’d call a ‘tutu’ these days, darling, but it was a turning point – truly a pivotal moment! Marie's tutus paved the way for those fluffy, romantic things we all adore today.
Of course, no #TutuTuesday would be complete without a little bit of London theatre culture, now would it? I'm making my way to The Royal Opera House, built on Covent Garden in the heart of the city. Now this place was, and still is, one of the most exciting stages in the whole world!
And the theatre was alive, darling! There was an exciting performance scheduled for this very night! I've just witnessed the spectacle, "La Fille Mal Gardée," by Jean Dauberval. It’s such a captivating story - think love, rivalry, and fun dances, it really is a light-hearted show and it captured the audience's hearts perfectly. Imagine that! Ballet so captivating it would melt even the iciest heart.
You can just imagine, the hush before the music, the lights coming down and then...that dazzling orchestra! Oh, darling, the magic of the performance was just divine!
Today’s #TutuTuesday has been truly thrilling, and not just because of the amazing ballet, oh no. This trip is truly about the journey. You can feel the thrill in every clatter of a horse and cart, every conversation you hear on the street, and each smile exchanged with a local in the baker's.
Oh darling, you simply must know, you know I had to find a fabulous dress to complete the look!
Imagine a perfectly constructed hat with a ribbon of delicate pink. It looked simply ravishing! The matching feather-light pink frock, cinched at the waist with a stunning, embroidered pink ribbon. Imagine me, strolling down Regent Street in the morning sunshine - all pink and pretty! Simply darling.
Well, that's all for now, darlings! But keep a lookout next Tuesday for my #TutuTuesday, I'm sure to bring you an absolute gem.
Until then, remember, there's nothing more charming than wearing a pink tutu - you simply radiate magic.
Sending you all the biggest and brightest hugs and kisses, Emma, your pink-tutu-loving blogger!
#TutuTuesday #BalletHistory #pinktutu #fashion #1873 #MarieTaglioni #TheRoyalOperaHouse
