Hello, darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu-wearing time-traveler Emma, and this week I'm waltzing back to September 8th, 1874, for a fascinating peek into ballet history! Buckle your slippers and prepare to be transported...by train, of course! My goodness, isn't that train journey ever so romantic?
Imagine: puffing steam engines, plush velvet seats, and a whiff of coal smoke in the air - a perfect prelude to an exciting day! It's the 19th century, and tutus are taking centre stage (pun intended, darlings!), especially in Paris, where the fashion for ballet is simply breathtaking.
Now, let's dive back to that date! On September 8th, 1874, there wasn't a single premiere or ballet performance scheduled in Paris, but believe me, there was still plenty of exciting activity happening in the ballet world! This period, in fact, saw the flourishing of a style known as 'classical romantic ballet'. Think delicate, ethereal figures with flowing tutus in shades of pale pinks and blues. It was an era where dancers moved with grace and emotion, embodying the spirit of romanticism and idealism.
Why not channel your inner romantic today? Pick up a delicate tulle skirt and a few pink ribbons and tie them in your hair. The possibilities are endless with romantic ballet! We could have a charming cottage garden, or a stroll by a misty lake. Oh, wouldn't that be just delightful!
Now, my lovely readers, you know how I feel about Paris. But don't let me get sidetracked... even though I love a trip to Paris for a dose of elegance and inspiration for new pink tutu designs, London is just as magical for its historic theatre scene, where ballet also has a flourishing presence. Back in 1874, Covent Garden was bustling with ballets like "The Sleeping Beauty" and "Giselle" – iconic performances that truly brought ballet to life. I'd absolutely adore a time jump to witness them in their full glory, to watch the masterful movements and captivating stories unfold under the theatre's chandeliers. Just imagine, dancing alongside the stars!
Speaking of the stars...the leading lady of the 1870s was undoubtedly Fanny Cerrito, a renowned dancer from Italy! I just adore her style and elegant movements. Imagine her spinning, gliding, and leaping with such effortless grace! The stories about her performances are enchanting - almost like fairytale tales themselves! The romantic, intricate dances she crafted, together with the fashion of the time, made for an exquisite experience, leaving audiences completely spellbound.
Speaking of enchanting fashion! I can't help but delve deeper into the tutu. For you see, my dears, in the 1870s the "tutu" hadn't quite attained its modern name – they were called “la bas.” Imagine, light, delicate layers of tulle, floating like feathers to create that beautiful and airy silhouette - an iconic look we adore even today! These skirts were incredibly revealing, exposing the ballerina’s graceful leg movements and creating that elegant and romantic image. The sheer and ethereal quality highlighted the beauty and precision of the dances, and for a moment, made everything seem magical, right out of a storybook!
Speaking of a storybook, my darlings, how much would we just adore attending a performance at the Royal Opera House in London? Picture yourself surrounded by velvet, marble and the hum of excitement, anticipating the dazzling performance that awaits you. Isn’t it delightful to just imagine the magic of this era, where even just the concept of the ballet evokes a whirlwind of emotions, from excitement to romance, and the thrill of anticipation before the curtains rise, unveiling the stage!
You know what? My darling, September 8th, 1874 was also a rather exciting time for a Derbyshire girl, like myself! The first ever railway tunnel to connect London and the north of England had just been opened, cutting the time from Derbyshire to London in half, opening a whole new world of ballet for us country folk, making London feel almost... neighbourly. Now wouldn't that have been magical for any little girl dreaming of ballet?
Well my dear readers, that is it for me for today's #TutuTuesday post. I must take my leave to practice for a lovely ballet performance that evening, one that is about to earn me enough to hop on that time-travelling train! My goodness, how delightful to take to the stage knowing that I have such an inspiring world of tutus and dances to discover. I do hope you join me on my ballet adventures - there are always new and delightful things waiting to be discovered in the history of this wonderful and magical world of dance, don't you agree?
Stay sweet, my darling readers, until next #TutuTuesday! And, don't forget, wear pink!
XOXO,
Emma
[pink heart emojis galore!]
