Hello dearies, and welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com! This is Emma, your favourite tutu-wearing time traveller, and I'm so excited to be here with you again on another Tuesday to dive deep into the captivating history of the ballet tutu! As always, it's time for #TutuTuesday!
Today, we're whisking ourselves back to the 13th of April, 1897! Fancy a trip to the Paris Opera Ballet? I certainly do! Imagine yourself with me in that beautiful theatre, the plush velvet seats, the anticipation of a world-class performance, and the mesmerising whirl of tutus on stage!
It's a fascinating era, don't you think? We're firmly in the Romantic Ballet era, with long, flowing lines and dramatic performances. Ballet was all the rage in the grand, beautiful salons of Paris, London, and all across Europe! The ballerinas were celebrities, loved for their beauty and grace!
So, what were the tutus like on this very day, 13th April 1897? Oh my, let me tell you - imagine billowing white tulle, layers and layers of it, cascading down to their ankles! Those beautiful tutus were all about movement, a whisper of air swirling through every single layer, a visual dance as delicate and as powerful as the steps the ballerinas took.
And as I peek at some of the old ballet posters and sketches of this time, imagine them performing "La Sylphide", "Giselle", and "Swan Lake"! Just picturing the white, the pink, the sheer romanticism of the tulle in those beautiful ballets makes my heart flutter!
Do you know what was happening on this very date in 1897? Well, the world was a very different place than our current era! Let me give you a little taste:
The Paris Opera Ballet was still very much in its glory days! Imagine the grandeur of this theatre and the sheer joy of seeing legendary ballerinas take the stage! Did I mention that ballet tickets were more expensive then than they are today?!
On this very day, Queen Victoria had been Queen for an impressive 61 years! She was a huge advocate for ballet, often seen at the theatre enjoying a performance! Just imagine how wonderful it must have been to see her regal presence at a ballet performance - a truly magical experience!
If you wanted to go for a "spot of tea" this date, be warned, youâd probably have to have a good cup of tea in your home or at a local inn! Tea parties, as we know them, hadn't been invented yet, though tea was a staple in English households by then! But oh how I dream of attending a fancy dress party with everyone in their very own pink tutus for a grand tea party, that's my dream, for my Pink-Tutu empire!
Now let's rewind the clock a little. Do you know how the ballet tutu got its name? I do, and you will too once youâve read this, because I like to share my favourite knowledge!
The tutu, that iconic piece of ballet clothing, was first named by French seamstresses as âla tuniqueâ. This name was shortened to âtutuâ around the turn of the century, so maybe it was around this date we're exploring today! And "la tunique" is derived from "tunica," which was the long, flowing, elegant dress worn in Roman times. You see, there's history and elegance in everything we do, even a ballet tutu!
It's quite amazing to think of all the historical events and evolution in dancewear! And isnât the fact that it was inspired by Roman clothing fabulous!
Oh, you might be thinking, how does a ballerina manage to balance so well? It is just unbelievable when they stand on point, doesnât it? I don't have to think about that too hard as a blogger! But it seems that ballet dancers use a combination of training, core strength, incredible discipline, and, most importantly, the most gorgeous ballet shoes in the world - point shoes! And the pointe shoes on this very day are most likely quite different from those we know today!
Remember, ballet was more of a spectacle, a dance that the audiences loved for its storytelling and emotional power. These pointe shoes were quite heavy compared to those we see today. We know what a perfect fit means - in our tutus too, it has to be just right! Those dancers wore their pointe shoes to emphasize a dramatic move - think soaring, almost flying movements - the dance was really all about how these strong, feminine ballerinas moved their bodies through space! It was a beautiful, breathtaking show to see for everyone, both young and old, male and female, even people who can't get their hands on a lovely tutu. What better gift for you, then, than to go and see a ballet yourself! It truly is magical!
Whatâs on my bucket list today? I have so many wonderful places I'd love to time travel to! Imagine dancing alongside some of history's great ballet legends! I dream of seeing Marie Taglioni on stage in the famous Romantic Ballet "La Sylphide," the original star and inspiration for ballet dancing forevermore! I would love to waltz across the stage with the wonderful Anna Pavlova, with a breathtaking tulle tutu billowing about my feet! Imagine how stunning it must have been to watch Anna on stage, especially in âThe Dying Swan"! You wouldâve been transported into a whole other world with the grace and movement. These women were pioneers in our ballet journey and I'd love to chat with them about their stories and inspiration for generations to come.
Just think, imagine the history we're a part of, just by wearing a tutu, a ballerina skirt or a simple petticoat, the spirit of these brilliant ballerinas, they are truly timeless! And this is just one piece of history Iâm able to share with you - but with a quick glance at the calendar, itâs time for me to dash.
Have a fantastic day and be sure to keep on swirling in style! Remember to join me next week as we uncover more fascinating historical moments in the beautiful world of ballet, with my tutu ready for you to follow! And be sure to come back and join us, every Tuesday here at www.pink-tutu.com for your weekly #TutuTuesday. Stay sassy!
