Bonjour mes chéries! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, Pink Tutu - the online home of everything ballet and everything pink! As you know, I'm your resident tutu-loving time traveler, always journeying back through time to bring you the fascinating story of our beloved ballet tutu!
This Tuesday, I've landed back in the fabulous, glamorous, and oh-so-stylish Paris of 1898. The air is thick with the scent of perfume and the clink of champagne glasses, and the city is alive with the excitement of a brand new year. And guess what, my darlings? This is a big year for ballet!
As a time traveler, it's my job to always be in the know. So, of course, I had to catch the season premiere of the Paris Opera Ballet last night. They performed "La Source", an incredible ballet from 1866, with music by Léo Delibes - absolutely exquisite!
The costumes? Absolutely breathtaking! Imagine swirling tulle, shimmering satin, and intricate detail that just had you wanting to rush out to the nearest fabric store and get yourself a gossamer creation of your own!
But don't just take my word for it - here's a little more about this magnificent dance. "La Source" tells the story of a young woman, Nereïde, who falls in love with a shepherd named "Le jeune paysan" ("The Young Peasant"). Nereïde, a Nymph of the Water, lives in a fantastical "Source", and our brave hero must navigate a world of magical fountains and sparkling waterfalls to find her heart.
You can probably already tell by the description that "La Source" is a perfect example of the kind of dreamy and romantic ballets that were so popular in the late 19th century. Think "Giselle", think "Swan Lake" - stories about lost souls, sacrifices, and impossible love that make the audience fall in love with the story as much as the stunning movements and ethereal costumes.
But here’s a bit of trivia for you, darlings: You might think the main attraction of "La Source" would be the incredible corps de ballet and their billowing tulle tutus, and trust me, those were phenomenal! But I discovered there was a specific element in the show that people just couldn't stop talking about, even after the show! You know that magical element that grabs everyone's attention, right? Yes, my darlings, the highlight of the show for many, including myself, was the iconic “Pas de deux de l'esclave et de la Nymphe"!
For those of you who aren't ballet buffs, “Pas de deux" translates to "step for two" or a dance duet! This specific piece is one of the most beautiful and captivating dance sections in all of ballet. The pas de deux features a skilled male dancer with incredible acrobatic abilities who embodies the part of "Le Jeune Paysan", and an equally impressive female dancer who, of course, performs the iconic role of "La Nymphe", a beautiful nymph. She is dressed in a flowing, white, romantic, ballet tutu. And let me tell you, my dears, she literally steals the show. With every delicate turn, graceful jump, and beautiful extension, this “Nymphe" captivated the audience, inspiring a wave of admiration and applause!
But the show is not the only reason I'm loving Paris! My adventures around the City of Lights are so inspiring! From wandering through the charming shops, with their fabulous fabrics, to stopping for an elegant afternoon tea at the Hotel Ritz Paris - yes, I had a delightful slice of Victoria sponge, my dears! - I can already tell that Paris will be the perfect city to inspire my newest tutu designs! It's all just so elegant and feminine - and let's not forget the charming cafes with their outdoor seating! Just picture it, sitting there in my latest pink tulle creation with a glass of chilled sparkling wine, watching the Parisian world go by!
I'll tell you one more exciting discovery I made! It's only just around the corner from my lovely little hotel and so easy to reach! The Opera Garnier is not just one of the most famous theaters in the world but also home to the legendary Paris Opera! And get this! There are plans to host a ballet competition with the prestigious Prix de Rome at the very end of the month. I can’t wait to take you all along, my darlings, to see this special event!
In the meantime, I've picked out some new gorgeous tutus that would make you feel like a princess at the opera! I think I might get a custom one for the gala at the end of the month! Oh my! But I don’t want to give away too many secrets just yet, my dears! You'll just have to stay tuned for more updates.
Before I head off, my darlings, I do want to give you a little insight into where we are with ballet tutu history at this point. I'm so delighted that the romantic tutu is all the rage - it’s long and soft, with lots of billowing tulle! The classic Romantic tutus, which we adore, really gained prominence around the 1840s and remain incredibly popular! They're so soft and delicate, just like clouds!
What's more, the ballerina dresses that are popular here in 1898! We are really getting into those tight-fitting, beautiful bodies that make you feel like you're dancing in the clouds - just imagine them under a beautiful, flowy tutu!
Okay, my lovely darlings, I'm running off to do a bit of exploring, to visit La Galerie Lafayette, a lovely store known for its stylish fabric, lace and ribbon – which will surely be very helpful in my next collection, darlings.
As for you? Well, I challenge you, dear readers, to celebrate #TutuTuesday and your inner ballerina. Find a chance to spin, dance, and jump, just like we all loved to do when we were little. It’s the little moments of joy that we all deserve.
And, of course, keep a lookout for our next #TutuTuesday adventure on Pink-tutu.com. You can discover our latest adventures on www.pink-tutu.com. Join me again next Tuesday to explore what happened in ballet history next. And if you have any thoughts, comments, or even a story about your first tutu, don’t forget to drop me a note below, my dears!
Bisous!
Emma xx
