Bonjour, chĂ©rie! Itâs Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, back with another dose of ballet history. Welcome to post #4373 on my little corner of the internet, www.pink-tutu.com! Every Tuesday, I bring you all the glitz and grace of balletâs fabulous past.
Today weâre whisking ourselves back to 19th October 1915, a date brimming with Parisian elegance, where the stage shimmered with a different kind of magic - the magic of ballet!
I must tell you, dearest readers, I arrived in Paris feeling absolutely ecstatic. Iâd travelled in a sumptuous train carriage, feeling like a proper "Belle Ăpoque" lady! The journey was quite grand, full of genteel chatter and whispers about the latest Parisian trends. Honestly, you wouldn't believe the exquisite gowns everyone was sporting! I even spotted a charming gentleman sporting a lovely top hat, with his dashing moustache peeking out from under its brim. He looked quite the part!
Once in Paris, the air was thick with anticipation. There was a hush on the streets, everyone was anticipating the next theatrical masterpiece, the newest ballet sensation, that's the Parisian vibe! Everyone was all aflutter about the premiere of "L'Enfant Prodigue" (The Prodigal Son), a ballet in three acts with choreography by Mikhail Fokine, set to a score by Serge Prokofiev. Can you imagine! An innovative and dramatic performance from one of balletâs biggest names - what a treat!
And guess what? They were already using the tutu in this new performance! And in fact, the tutu had come a long way! It had developed beyond the classical âRomanticâ tutu, that pouffy, floaty beauty of the past. The dancers were now performing in beautifully-made tutus with tight, sleek, and geometric lines! It was a radical new way to move! What do you think, lovelies? Should we call this new style the "Prodigal" tutu?
My darlings, I couldn't resist popping into a few Parisian boutiques, because I simply had to get myself a beautiful little Parisian hat to go with my own tutu, don't you think? The sheer lace and silk of those hats just make me melt. Oh, how I would adore being in the shops there with all those gorgeous creations. But I must get back to the heart of our #TutuTuesday.
The dance world was just bursting with a flurry of new and captivating trends. We are in the "golden age" of Russian ballet, and this date was particularly special because Diaghilev's famous Ballets Russes were in town! Can you imagine, seeing them live! It was simply divine! The entire ballet world was focused on Russia. The music, the costumes, and yes, the gorgeous tutus too, they all radiated such artistry! All that dazzling energy, the talent, and sheer glamour! Even the elegant Parisians themselves were buzzing with excitement!
My time travel journal states that one particularly fascinating piece from this time was called "Le Sacre du Printemps," or "The Rite of Spring," by Igor Stravinsky, which made its world premiere in 1913, only two years before this Tuesday's trip. What makes it special? Well, it sparked controversy in the Parisian art scene, a sort of revolution you could say! Not all of Paris approved of this modern approach! But my lovely time travel guide informed me that "The Rite of Spring" was so avant-garde and revolutionary that its music and choreography, inspired by Russian pagan rituals, took Paris by storm!
But back to tutus! Let's go back to "L'Enfant Prodigue." For all those fashion enthusiasts out there - the beautiful costumes in this ballet became a masterpiece in themselves. So fashionable, in fact, that Parisian ladies tried to imitate the style in their own gowns, incorporating them into their wardrobes, creating their own "Prodigal" chic! Such a vibrant blend of art and fashion, wouldnât you say, darlings?
In the realm of ballet history, "L'Enfant Prodigue" is significant. It cemented a turning point for ballet history. As we head into 1916, the dance world embraced modern innovation, embracing experimental choreography, expressive new costumes and those fantastic, dramatic tutus. It's no wonder why ballet lovers have always loved this ballet and, by extension, the tutu! And this is how a young Parisian might have spoken of it: âC'est magnifique!â or "Itâs magnificent!
Now I have to whisk myself back to my Derbyshire home, so much to tell, so little time! But just remember, even in 2023, we can capture a little of that "Prodigal" tutu feeling, with the right combination of style and sass. Because darling, in a pink tutu, every Tuesday can be a little bit magical!
Until next time,
Emma
xxx
