Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, darling dears! It's #TutuTuesday and I'm Emma, your very own tutu-loving time traveller. I'm on a mission to spread the pink-tutu joy and, of course, delve into the history of our beloved garment! Today we're going on a little jaunt back in time to… September 9th, 1919!
Now, you might be thinking "September 9th 1919? What happened on that date, Emma? Why not a flashier year?" Oh, but my dears, 1919 holds a special place in ballet history! Just imagine - we're only a few years out of the First World War, the world's still reeling from the horrors of conflict, but in the world of ballet, something quite beautiful is happening!
Let me transport you back to London, specifically the Royal Opera House, a place that even back then was known for its exquisite productions and stunning performances. Imagine - chandeliers glittering, red velvet seats plush, the anticipation thrumming through the air - you can almost hear the murmur of excited chatter! On this very date, 9th September 1919, a ballet performance of “La Boutique Fantasque”, a playful ballet brimming with music by Gioacchino Rossini, took the stage! Can you picture it? A kaleidoscope of colours, music swirling with joy, and dancers pirouetting in dazzling costumes... it must have been an absolute delight!
Speaking of costumes, this brings me to the heart of our tutu Tuesday journey: the tutu! While tutus had existed before, this performance in 1919, while showcasing Leon Bakst’s exquisite costume designs, helped to further solidify the tutu’s iconic status in ballet. Can you imagine, my dears, what a delightful and impactful spectacle it must have been?
But hold on, dear readers, it's not just about the costumes, no, no, no! The “La Boutique Fantasque” performance also highlighted something absolutely revolutionary at the time - Russian Choreographer Léonide Massine's "character ballet” - a style that truly brought stories and characters to life on stage. The impact on ballet? Hugely significant! Massine pushed the boundaries of traditional ballet by adding narratives, humour, and even a touch of fantasy – the perfect mix to really capture the audience's imagination, don't you think?
To tell you the truth, the mere idea of this performance is a delightful treat to think about. 1919 was a time of such incredible transition for the world - the aftermath of the war, a changing world – but amidst that, we had the pure joy and wonder of dance and performance, offering moments of beauty, wonder, and artistic escapism! It truly highlights the resilience of the human spirit.
For today’s Tutu Tuesday, my dears, let's not only celebrate "La Boutique Fantasque", but let's also appreciate all the inspiring, creative, and artistic efforts that make ballet so captivating. We're fortunate to enjoy this legacy today - thanks to visionaries who dared to experiment and to dream!
Remember, the “La Boutique Fantasque” performance happened on this date 1919, showcasing both the beauty of costumes and the power of choreography to inspire and delight! The next time you watch a ballet performance, remember this date - and know that it's a small part of a beautiful legacy of artistic brilliance that's still captivating us today!
Now, I’m off on a little train adventure (nothing quite beats a carriage ride!) to see if I can catch a delightful performance of “La Boutique Fantasque” in some lovely city on the continent - always searching for inspiration, for stories, and for a hint of those exquisite costumes!
And, as always, don’t forget my dears: Pink Tutus for all, forever! 🌸 Until next Tuesday, keep your eyes sparkling with dreams of ballet!
Emma, your Time Travelling Tutu Blogger www.pink-tutu.com
Post Number: 4576
