Hello darlings! It’s Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time-travelling ballerina, back with another #TutuTuesday for www.pink-tutu.com. I'm writing this from Paris, oh la la, the most fabulous city for a ballerina!
This week we're stepping back in time, to the 22nd of July 1902. Fancy a peek into the ballet world back then? Well, hold onto your tiaras, we're off!
Imagine a Parisian evening, the air humming with the chatter of elegant ladies and gentlemen. You arrive at the magnificent Palais Garnier, the Opera House, its facade glittering with the golden glow of gaslight. You ascend the grand staircase, the rustle of silk dresses trailing behind you. Tonight, we're in for a treat!
(I actually had the most divine luncheon at a charming cafe near the Opera just now! It had such a Parisian feel – cobblestone streets, dainty floral displays, and pastries that could make a ballerina swoon. And the sunshine, oh my, it truly is the city of lights!)
As the lights dim and the curtain rises, you see an exquisite ballerina, gracefully taking centre stage. The music swells and, oh, wouldn't you know it? It’s a divertissement, a captivating display of dancing. Imagine her tutu, not the fluffy tulle we see today, but a much more structured affair. It's a beautiful dance, delicate as spun silk. But what’s missing, you might ask? Well, that's right – colour!
In the early 1900s, ballet costumes were largely white, a symphony of classical elegance. Think swan lakes and sugar plum fairies, all ethereal and beautiful, but perhaps a touch…well, plain for our pink-loving selves, don't you think?
Now, I can't have you believing that everything in 1902 was boring, my dears. The world of fashion, even then, was bursting with colour! Think of the striking Edwardian ladies, with their big, flowing hats and their love for luxurious fabrics!
I say, it's time for a tutu rebellion! It’s time to bring some vibrance to the world of ballet. And, let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to twirl in a pink tutu, especially with the soft hues of the French countryside swirling all around?
Now, back to our ballet… This very evening, a ballet performance took place in Paris. Imagine the stage adorned with gorgeous painted backdrops, the ballet dancers moving with the graceful beauty of swans, the sweet sound of violins filling the air… The story behind it all? "Le Lac des Cygnes," otherwise known as Swan Lake. Yes, the very famous ballet.
Think about it: the Swan Lake, with all those ballerinas dressed in pink tutus! It’s the dream, isn’t it? Imagine the joyful, graceful movements on stage, bathed in the soft glow of the stage lights.
Of course, the tutus in the ballet were white – and very structured. And let's be honest, ballet wasn't for everyone back then. It wasn’t as mainstream, as popular as it is today. The "en pointe" (dancing on the tips of your toes) technique wasn’t used as extensively either, a technique that's so captivating now!
However, the art of ballet was alive and vibrant. You’ll be happy to know it's evolving!
Let’s have a quick time travel, back to London, shall we? It's the 18th of July, 1902, the grand grand grand opening of the His Majesty's Theatre, a masterpiece built in the late Victorian style. The building itself is a sight to behold! All those elegant windows and exquisite architectural details! Just the thought of it makes me feel giddy.
And let me tell you, this theatre hosted real shows, not just some drab plays – it played host to lavish ballets too. Oh, my darling dears, we're in the heart of the dance world.
But, as much as I love London, it’s always great to come back to the energy of Paris!
Speaking of energy, I must take a short detour for a fashion break. A fabulous afternoon tea beckons!
(Did I tell you? I found the most incredible antique shop on the Champs-Élysées! You’ve got to see these beautiful brooches and scarves, I simply must share them with you on a separate post.)
Anyway, while I’m enjoying this tea, you’ll have to excuse my daydreaming... Imagine a Parisian theatre lit by the magical glow of a thousand candles, with a flurry of sparkling pink tutus dancing on stage. Now that's the kind of ballet we can truly get behind!
Until next Tuesday, my darlings!
Emma.
P.S. If you want to join my Ballet Tutu History Tour in 1902, just leave a comment below and we'll work on the details. Let's give ballet a sprinkle of pink! And, of course, be sure to check out www.pink-tutu.com for all things pink and ballerina-related.
