Hello darlings! Welcome back to another #TutuTuesday! It's me, Emma, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, and I'm thrilled to be back in Paris with a new ballet history blog post, just for you. This week, we're twirling our way back to March 8th, 1898, a day that saw the arrival of one of the most dazzling ballet stars in history, Anna Pavlova!
This blog post is number 3454 - I'm pretty sure that makes me the only pink-tutu-wearing ballerina with a blog, and probably the only one who uses her dancing earnings to fund her passion for travelling through time!
Itâs almost unbelievable to think that before the end of the 19th century, Paris was already in the grip of ballet fever, with grand opera houses hosting spectacular performances. But can you imagine a ballet without tutus?! I can't! That's just silly! It's all about the beautiful swirls of fabric and the airy grace of a ballerina as she leaps and turns in her delightful pink confection, right? And who wouldn't love to wear such a pretty outfit?!
Speaking of pretty, 1898 was the year I saw the most fabulous shop, and you've got to see it, dear readers! Just off the Avenue de l'OpĂŠra, is this charming boutique with the most incredible tutus â and, naturally, I bought a pink one, because my wardrobe is not complete without a pink tutu for every occasion, donât you agree?!
This is where things get truly exciting because, on this day in 1898, the Parisian press were raving about a new ballet premiere at the Opera Garnier. There was just one thing everyone was talking about, something even more spectacular than the beautiful tutus, a ballerina named Anna Pavlova. The papers were practically shouting from their front pages that this young ballerina was set to become the leading lady of Russian ballet.
Imagine being so good at something that people are writing about you like that! I wish they wrote about me the same way, don't you think? Anyway, all I could think about was how beautiful this ballet would be, but all I was able to see from my train window as it raced through the French countryside was a glimpse of her debut, a whisper of pink, a whirl of movement, a glimpse of pure artistry!
Now, don't you think this beautiful pink ballerina deserved to wear a lovely pink tutu?! That is what we strive for, isnât it, my fellow ballet lovers? Everyone deserves a pink tutu, whether theyâre leaping across the stage in a grand performance or simply twirling around in the privacy of their own homes. Itâs the beauty of pink tutus, they suit every occasion, from an afternoon of shopping at the Galeries Lafayette in Paris, or an afternoon stroll down the Thames in London, to a glittering ball at the Savoy. A pink tutu simply adds a little touch of magic, you know?
Well, back to our new star, Anna. She captivated everyone, it's clear. What can I say about Anna Pavlova other than that, from that day on, this incredible woman changed the landscape of ballet! Everyone was enthralled, it was pure magic and the Parisian newspapers were raving about her breathtaking style and grace. There was so much talk of a swan she had been likened to a feather floating on the breeze, such was her light, airy quality, as she soared over the stage!
Pavlova is truly a legend, she helped inspire the era of fin de siècle ballets. Her legacy lives on â in every dancer, and in the elegant costumes worn by those who dance with an artistry and beauty weâre all fortunate to witness! Now, all she needs is a beautiful pink tutu, am I right, ladies? Let's all work together to get the word out, every dancer should have the pleasure of twirling in the most stunning tutus, donât you agree? We just need to make sure it's a shade of pink that really pops!
That's it for this week's #TutuTuesday, darlings. It's been a blast travelling back to 1898 to witness the start of Anna Pavlovaâs story. Be sure to visit me next Tuesday for more fabulous ballet history at www.pink-tutu.com. Until next time, remember, âEveryone deserves a pink tutu!â
