Hello lovelies! Emma here, your resident Tutu-ologist, back with another dose of historical dance magic for your #TutuTuesday. Today, we're stepping back in time to the glorious year of 1895, and boy, oh boy, what a year for ballet it was!
Imagine this: the sun is setting over the bustling city of Paris, casting a warm golden glow on the elegant buildings. You're donning your most beautiful dress (maybe even with a touch of lace) and preparing to spend the evening at the theatre, because ballet is the talk of the town.
Now, I know what you're thinking: "Tutus in 1895? Wasn't that just a little too early?". Well, hold onto your hair combs, dear readers, because believe it or not, the tutu was already well on its way to becoming the symbol of ballet we know and love today!
Back in the mid-1800s, ballet was undergoing a renaissance of sorts. Romantic ballerinas, like the legendary Marie Taglioni, were soaring across the stage, leaving the cumbersome costumes of the past behind. They wanted movement, lightness, and, of course, elegance. Enter the tutu, with its short skirt and delicate tulle layers. Imagine the flurry of the fabric, the beautiful light reflecting off its delicate surface, and the elegant swirls and leaps that the new form of dress allowed! It was a complete revolution in ballet history and it's easy to see why it captured the hearts of audiences everywhere.
Speaking of the audience, remember that I’m currently stationed in Paris, the city of lights and of ballet, for my completely legitimate research into ballet history.
I've had such a lovely time. The fashion, the food (always such wonderful croissants!), and, of course, the ballet performances have been simply sublime! Just last night, I was fortunate enough to see the legendary Anna Pavlova take the stage. Oh my, she was divine! She moves with such grace, it's as if she floats across the floor. Her pirouettes are breathtaking, her leaps are impossibly high, and every step is just pure artistry. Seeing her perform in this short, romantic tutu, was an absolute dream come true.
Today’s the 18th of June. A most memorable day as this is also the date of a very special Ballet performance at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. The grand production features a full-length performance of La Esmeralda by Cesare Pugni This enchanting ballet is one of the first examples of real drama and intense emotions, brought to life through intricate choreography. This, ladies and gents, is where the ballet gets really interesting. It’s also worth mentioning that this performance takes place in Moscow, the city that has given us the most incredible tutu history!
But it's not just Paris and Moscow, the spirit of ballet is sweeping across the globe, capturing the imagination of audiences everywhere. The* English* certainly have a passion for ballet. Even I, a simple Derbyshire lass, couldn’t help but be swept away by its beauty when I saw the premiere of Swan Lake just last year. That amazing choreography, the incredible costuming, and the breathtaking choreography with those famous “swan arms”, all performed to Tchaikovsky’s magnificent music!
You can see why my favourite topic is the tutu, the garment of the ballerina itself. In 1895, we see the rise of the Romantic tutu which sits at the knee, showing off leg work to its maximum! With layered and elegant layers of tulle, it’s such a glamorous yet delicate piece of dance costume. I mean, just imagine all the fabulous shopping sprees you could enjoy whilst making your own Romantic tutus, ladies!
One could easily spend hours pouring over magazines from 1895, soaking in the styles and the fabrics - imagine the thrill of sourcing the right kind of lace or tulle!. If you can ever find a vintage copy of The Lady’s Realm you’ll see just how important the world of dress and fashion is, at least within the English society that the magazine serves. Just one look at the magazine’s fashion plates (I love me a good fashion plate!*) makes me wish I had a personal time-travelling portal for fashion shopping. Sadly, no, there's no way I'm sacrificing any of my ballet shows for the sake of fashion - not this ballerina.
However, that's just a little peek into the fascinating world of 1895 ballet. It's truly a time of wonder and inspiration. So, next time you find yourself mesmerized by a ballerina swirling in her tutu, remember, she's standing on the shoulders of those who came before her. The elegance, the passion, the art – all built on the magic of the tutu!
Until next #TutuTuesday, remember, it's never too early, too late, or too crazy to wear a pink tutu. Let your inner ballerina shine!
Lots of love,
Emma, The Pink Tutu Blogger www.pink-tutu.com
