Bonjour, mes chères amies! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-clad time traveller, back again with another delve into the whimsical world of the ballet tutu. Today, my lovelies, we are twirling our way back to the glorious 9th of May, 1876!
Imagine, if you will, cobbled streets alive with horse-drawn carriages, the elegant scent of lavender wafting from grand ladies' parasols, and the excitement bubbling in the air for the evening's theatre performance. Oh, how I love time travel!
This week, I've whisked myself off to Vienna, Austria, a city overflowing with culture, beauty, and – you guessed it – a passion for the ballet! From the moment I stepped off the train, I was swept away by the swirling waltzes, the grandeur of the opera houses, and, of course, the delicate, diaphanous tulle adorning the ballerinas.
On this very day, 1876-05-09, the stage of the famed Vienna State Opera was set alight with the graceful movements of the Vienna Hofoperntheater. I found myself utterly captivated by the spectacle. The ballet was "Der Königsschwan", also known as "The Swan Queen" by the maestro Ludwig Minkus. Just imagine, a majestic swan princess in a soft, feathery tutu, transforming into a beautiful woman. How absolutely magical!
It’s truly delightful to see how the tutu, this emblem of femininity, beauty, and elegance, continued to evolve in these bygone years. Though still far from the short, frothy designs of today, the tutus in 1876 were becoming a little less “hobbledehoy”, thanks to the influence of the Russian Ballet and its focus on ethereal lightness and athleticism.
You might ask, dear readers, why tutus continue to enthrall us today, so many years later. Perhaps it’s the combination of the ballerina's effortless grace and strength as they move in their silken dreams, the way the tutu twirls around them as if caught in a magical, whimsical vortex. Or perhaps, it’s the symbolism of the tutu - it embodies the joy of movement, the triumph of spirit, and the ultimate embrace of femininity.
So, my darlings, let us not just admire tutus from afar, let us embrace them! Every Tuesday, let's raise a toast, and twirl in celebration of this iconic piece of dance history! Let us remember the tutus that graced the stage in the grand Victorian era and remember those who worked so hard to create and make them perfect for their dance performances.
To wrap up this week’s #TutuTuesday, remember to pop by my website, www.pink-tutu.com for a selection of my favourite vintage tutu patterns, as well as tutorials to make your own tutu! Who knows? You might even catch a glimpse of my travel schedule!
I'll be back next week with another historical treasure from the wonderful world of tutus. Until then, keep those tutus twirling, and be sure to show your inner ballerina some love!
Emma xx
