A Blast From The Past: July 5th, 1892!
Greetings from your favourite pink tutu wearing, time-traveling, ballet-obsessed blogger, Emma! It's Tutu Tuesday and today we're heading back in time! I just can't resist exploring the rich history of our beloved ballet tutu!
This week, we're taking a trip to July 5th, 1892, and it's not just any Tuesday – it's the anniversary of La Bayadere, the stunning ballet choreographed by Marius Petipa, that had its world premiere in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Talk about a dream!
Imagine, dear reader, 1892. The era of the Romantic tutu was in full swing! You’ll see billowing tulle and swathes of shimmering fabric, designed to evoke a sense of lightness, freedom and airiness – exactly how I feel in my pink tutu!
Imagine my joy! There were ballet dancers at the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre in Saint Petersburg twirling around in such elegant creations – I couldn't have been more thrilled! I, naturally, dressed for the occasion, of course. The perfect blush-pink tulle, designed with my trademark ruffles, was my choice. After all, every girl looks good in a bit of pink – and who wouldn't want to embrace their inner ballerina for a night of incredible dance!
La Bayadere is a real treasure! A timeless tale of love and betrayal, set amidst opulent sets and captivating music by Ludwig Minkus, it had a grand opening featuring Carlotta Brianza, an Italian ballerina renowned for her beautiful lines and dazzling technique. You could tell she had spent hours perfecting her elegant moves. And just look at those costumes, with every single feather, flower, and jewel exquisitely crafted! It was enough to make any girl’s heart beat faster.
And did you know that, back in 1892, ballet shoes were usually handmade, each one lovingly crafted to fit each dancer's foot? Imagine, not mass produced, but made just for them! Each one felt unique, giving the dancer just the right amount of freedom for the most graceful leaps and intricate turns! And of course, the artistry didn’t end with the shoes – the dancers would also wear beautifully elaborate, jewelled tiaras, earrings, and necklaces! Isn't it all so enchanting?
It makes you wonder why ballet is known as the art form of elegant tradition, don't you think? There is something simply magical about the movement, the grace, the artistry, all intertwined with historical grandeur, like a breathtaking storybook tale come to life!
And on this July 5th, 1892, just like a magical journey back in time, I travelled to St Petersburg! Travelling by train across Europe was a real treat. So much more romantic than flying, in my humble opinion, even with those big poofy skirts I'd insisted on wearing!
But, even with all these enchanting tutus and historical ballerinas, don’t think for a minute that the past wasn’t also about the thrill of seeing those spectacular costumes in person. From those long, romantic tutu shapes and glittering tiaras, to those handcrafted shoes, the fashion, just like today, played a huge role!
The tutus of 1892, weren't just simple things! They were exquisite creations made to create stories and evoke emotions. Like the long, flowing tulle skirts of the Romantic Era! There are stories about designers of the time that had spent weeks painstakingly making tutus for a single show! Oh, I would've loved to help those creative designers make tutus that truly sparkled!
Don't forget about the incredible theatre spaces either! Opera houses like the Mariinsky Theatre in St Petersburg had majestic audiences who’d gasp with admiration at each graceful pirouette and perfect arabesque. It was nothing short of magical to see a performance in a grand venue with such amazing architecture! You'd never imagine how much that space would contribute to enhancing the magic!
You’re right to guess it was more than just dancing! The social gatherings and receptions afterwards were a flurry of glamour! All those fabulous people and exciting chatter were just part of the fun! It's so wonderful to be a part of such history! You could see the real joy of it! It was all a reflection of a time where artistry and beauty really did take center stage!
And to this day, those classic tutus and the enchanting elegance of La Bayadere continue to be a symbol of the artistry and enduring tradition of ballet itself! After all, the history of the ballet tutu is all about creativity and imagination!
Remember, there's nothing like embracing a love for all things sparkly and tutus – just like me – and diving into the wonderful world of ballet!
And why don't you do it in a sparkly pink tutu, darling? Embrace your own inner ballerina, and let those graceful movements flow! After all, there is something absolutely divine about dancing in pink and spreading your love for ballet to the world!
Happy #TutuTuesday everyone! Remember to leave your thoughts in the comments, tell me what tutus and ballerinas you love!
Lots of love, Emma xo
Please let me know if you have any questions.
