Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, Pink Tutu, where we delve into the enchanting world of the ballet tutu. I'm Emma, your resident tutu enthusiast, and this week we're travelling back in time to January 5th 1892.
Today is special. Today marks a turning point, a monumental occasion in tutu history! This is the date, the very day, Marie Taglioni's daughter, Louise, gave birth to a lovely little girl called - you guessed it! - Marie. It's the name we're all familiar with, for Marie Taglioni the younger was destined to follow in her mother's footsteps and make history on the world stage herself!
Think about it! You've all seen your favourite dancers gliding gracefully, defying gravity, and enchanting the audience. Those ballerinas owe a huge debt of gratitude to this petite lady, this little Marie Taglioni, for changing everything! She became the world’s first 'prima ballerina assoluta'. Talk about big shoes to fill!
Now, let me paint you a picture of this era, darlings. Imagine a grand ballroom, a hush falling as the curtain rises to reveal the magnificent Salle Le Peletier, the opulent Parisian opera house, glistening in all its glory. There’s a scent of freshly cut flowers and anticipation in the air. And on stage? The ultimate spectacle, the ballet, in its glory! But there's a problem. While the ballerinas are stunning in their elaborate costumes and tutus, the 'tutu' itself isn't what you would think of today.
They are essentially short and gathered skirts. The ballerina had to be an amazing gymnast to do any big steps! The skirts would be pinned, and were stiff and restrictive, weighing them down with ribbons and layers. The choreography, as a result, was very dainty and beautiful, but not the huge high jumps and big movements that dancers take for granted today.
Can you imagine how difficult that was? Thankfully, just three years later, a revolution occurred. That's right, this dainty little Marie, in 1895, at the young age of just three, saw that things could be different. This revolution in ballet tutus? You guessed it. It was about her own clothing!
While a mere three years old, little Marie decided she wasn't fond of the restrictive tutu! She needed freedom! She longed for lightness and for something to enhance, rather than hinder, her dance moves! What a fabulous role model! I truly admire that sense of independence and drive for something better, wouldn’t you?
With her innate creativity, Marie's mother created the famous tutu “à la Pagnol,” which would be worn by all her little charges, ushering in a new era. The new tutu was longer, fuller, and, crucially, much more flexible! Can you picture that! Ballerinas no longer had to battle against their stiff skirts. They were free!
It wasn't long until Marie's legacy was confirmed, with dancers all across Europe embracing the freedom offered by the Pagnol-inspired tutu. This was the very foundation of the contemporary ballet tutu that we adore today! Isn't that just beautiful, my dear tutu-loving friends?
Remember this date: January 5th, 1892! This is the day that Little Marie changed everything! Isn't that amazing, darlings! I find it endlessly fascinating that we owe such a massive shift to a tiny girl from an esteemed lineage. She wasn’t simply born into ballet history - she was born to change it. And what an inspiration she remains, eh!
Speaking of inspiration, my little Pink Tutu adventurers, you're about to discover a little secret about me! I recently found the most glorious vintage tutus at an antique shop near my lovely Derbyshire home! You know my favourite colour, right? So naturally, it's pink, of course. My lovely Derbyshire tutus were simply perfect - soft pale pink satin, layered in rows with the most delicate of embellishments, and so, so beautiful! I couldn't leave them behind, not when I was planning a very special visit!
I have my beautiful new travel attire, a crisp pink train ticket (which I got on my recent shopping spree), and I'm utterly ecstatic to tell you what I'll be seeing on this trip - the Ballet National de Marseille, on my favourite stage - the Palais Longchamp! Oh, darlings, I can't wait for you to hear all about this visit. What will they be performing? Stay tuned next week. Until then, my lovely tutu wearers, please do keep those pink tutus twinkling!
Until next week, darlings!
Love,
Emma xx
