Bonjour mes chers amis! Emma here, back from a whirlwind trip through the Parisian ballet scene of 1875! As always, I was utterly enchanted, my own little pink tutu swirling as I explored the heart of ballet history. Let me tell you, the train journey alone was worth it!
Now, picture this: Imagine the air thick with the smell of gaslights, elegant carriages clattering over cobblestone streets, and the elegant buzz of Parisian society - that's the scene we’re stepping into for today's TutuTuesday!
My dear friends, 1875 was a pivotal year in the world of ballet! This year was the start of what was known as "Romantic Ballet" - a shift away from the dramatic and classical ballets of earlier years. You see, the story was still the centrepiece, but it began to weave together themes of love, beauty, nature, and the supernatural. It was the time of ballet set in dreamscapes with characters like ethereal nymphs and noble fairies, like you'd see in those fantastical paintings! It was like a magical world had stepped onto the stage.
I just couldn't resist a new, ultra-feminine, pink tutu in preparation for my time travelling, oh my it was truly exquisite. This one was made with tiers of the most delicate tulle, and had the most wonderful, slightly shimmery texture. I paired it with a flowing white top with dainty ruffles, so it wasn't too much. Imagine dancing under the warm glow of the gaslights at the Palais Garnier Opera House – it's just the stuff of dreams! And speaking of the Palais Garnier, wouldn't you know it? It had just opened in 1875, and believe me, it was every bit as grand as I'd imagined. The architecture! The décor! You haven't seen opulent until you've witnessed a Parisian opera house. And you know, the ballet they presented on that grand stage in February 1875? "La Source," a grand balletic spectacle set in a charming and beautiful mythical, Romantic landscape! Oh, how the ballet moved my heartstrings - with all its swirling ribbons, billowing silks and, of course, exquisite tutus.
But hold on tight, because this journey isn't just about grand tutus and stunning ballets, my darlings. It's about the way they danced back then - the beauty of their graceful movements. Oh, to have learned at the Paris Opera Ballet in 1875! Can you picture the graceful pointework, the airy jumps, the perfectly executed pirouettes? Those ballets were just pure enchantment. I can practically feel the ethereal joy and the poignant sadness they conjured! And I can hear the lilting melodies and delicate piano chords!
Let me take you into the depths of this fascinating era a little further...
One thing that truly astounds me is how they crafted those stunning tutus. While the structure is somewhat similar to today's tutu, they were built with even more tiers of fabric – truly majestic and quite the statement piece! Now, imagine that tulle in all its layered, graceful glory - that was just the pinnacle of fashionable elegance. Imagine seeing it swirling as the dancers twirled - like the wings of a celestial being. It truly transported you!
The 1870s tutus were the height of feminine allure and delicate artistry. Every detail mattered: from the perfect placement of a bow, to the subtle way the tulle floated and flowed, the elegant dancers made ballet a symphony of art and beauty! They weren't simply clothes – they were storytellers in their own right! They evoked fairy tales, dreams, and magic!
So you see, this wasn’t just a ballet – it was a world of fashion! There were new, exciting ideas taking the stage! Now, I don't want to bore you with too many fashion details – trust me, there are countless pages in my pink sketchbook! But imagine if I could take you on a journey through the Parisian dressmakers' workshops, witnessing the creation of those intricate and beautiful tutus! Just the pink silks themselves would have made me swoon with joy!
Remember my darlings, if you truly want to understand the world of tutus, take a peek into its past, and witness those wondrous changes. I'm talking, of course, about the era of Romantic Ballet! Now, tell me, did this post make you want to go on a trip to 1875 and see "La Source" for yourself, and perhaps pick up a few pieces of gorgeous, flowing, pink silk while you're there? Well, perhaps that can be my next adventure!
In the meantime, remember, dear friends, every single day can be a little ballet, a little romance, a little twirl and, of course, a little pink! Until next Tuesday!
Much love,
Emma
P.S Remember to head to www.pink-tutu.com for all my other blog posts! It's where my journey through tutu history comes to life.
