Hello lovelies! Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, straight from the heart of Derbyshire, ready to whisk you away on another whirlwind tour of tutu history. Today we're travelling back to May 30th, 1876, and it’s positively brimming with exciting, tutus-related discoveries!
Oh, to be in Paris at the Opéra Garnier, one of the most beautiful buildings ever conceived. Imagine! Imagine the hush before the curtain rises, the scent of fresh velvet and perfume mingling in the air, and the exquisite spectacle that awaits. For the Parisian elite, this is their playground, their social event, their time to lose themselves in the wonder of ballet. And darling, I bet you'd find them swooning over the tutus on display, just like me!
1876, you see, was smack bang in the middle of the Romantic Era, and if you're thinking fluffy, flowing, and impossibly romantic, you've got the gist! These tutus, you see, weren’t just simple, they were an explosion of artistry, whimsy and artistry! Gone were the tight-fitting, heavy bodices and frilly skirts. Imagine a cloud of ethereal tulle, billowing like a pink rosebud against the backdrop of the glittering chandeliers – that’s what you’d see in those enchanting ballets.
Think about the likes of the La Bayadère by Marius Petipa! The famous 'Kingdom of the Shades' scene is a dream realised in pink tulle. That's a real show stopper, isn’t it? Think, too, of all those dramatic poses that only the ballet dancer could achieve in these beautiful gowns - and don’t forget the pannier! (Now, I don’t need to tell you how excited I get when a pannier enters the scene, do I? They’re simply heavenly!)
Don’t think the movement stopped there, darlings! These dancers, in their stunning, billowing tutus, were dancing faster and more energetically than ever before. Just think about all those leaping, bounding movements! I hear tales from back in the day about some of the most spectacular performances that these romantic-era dancers achieved, right here in Paris. The jumps, the fouettés, the turns, and the pirouettes – the ballet had gone from the stately court ballet into a wild, exhilarating art form!
Now, it’s time for a quick little hop on the train. While Paris is truly the center of the tutu world, don’t for one minute think that England is lagging behind, lovelies.
Back home, the theatre and ballet were alive and kicking, and even though our own London ballet companies weren’t quite reaching the dizzy heights of Paris (though darling, we were coming!) – you know the Brits, we always have a thing for a good time – the people in our own lovely English countryside towns, like mine in Derbyshire, were all embracing ballet’s magic!
Picture this: You walk into a grand hall on a May evening (and it’s always pink, it’s England, after all), and there you are. The lovely locals gathered in the front row to watch these stunning tutus, the elegant performances, and that captivating romantic spirit of the times – you can simply imagine what a delightful and joyful event that would have been, can’t you?
And guess what else was in vogue on May 30th, 1876? The Mill on the Floss! Why this classic novel by George Eliot. Can’t you just imagine those lovely costumes, the elegant ballgowns and dresses, those grand drawing rooms filled with romance, with people talking about their favorite ballets while they're sipping tea? *It's all so incredibly romantic, darling! *
Okay, it’s time to step off the time train for today, my darlings. I do hope that you’re feeling just as enthralled and mesmerised by tutu history as I do. Until next Tuesday when we can dive deeper into the world of the pink tulle and the romantic ballet!
Always remember, dear lovelies, tutus are more than just a costume. They represent an era of magic and grace! Now, pop on that pink tutu and take a twirl to celebrate the beauty and power of ballet!
Until next Tuesday, keep twirling, and do spread the pink!
Yours in ballet,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
