Hiya darlings! Emma here, your pink tutu-wearing guide to all things twirly and delightful. Welcome back to another #TutuTuesday, where we delve into the fascinating history of ballet and, of course, those fabulous tutus.
Today's journey whisks us back to February 15th, 1944, a time when the world was locked in the throes of the Second World War. Can you imagine, darlings, how challenging it must have been to hold onto that spirit of joy and artistry in the midst of such hardship? But oh, did they! Ballet thrived in those trying times, becoming a beacon of hope and a celebration of the human spirit.
Just this very day, February 15th, 1944, New York City's Ballet Theatre (later to become American Ballet Theatre) performed at the Metropolitan Opera House. This wasn't just any ordinary performance; it was a grand fundraising gala to support the War Relief Services. It seems even in those bleakest days, people understood the magic of ballet and how it could lift spirits. Imagine, dear readers, being transported to another world of grace and elegance for just a few hours, forgetting all the turmoil and worries for a moment ā doesnāt that sound utterly divine?
And speaking of a magical world, what was happening on the stage that evening? The programme included the premiere of a new ballet ā The Seasons, choreographed by the illustrious Antony Tudor! This, my lovelies, was a big deal! A fresh and captivating work by one of ballet's greats. And imagine the anticipation, the excitement! To be there in the audience, amidst a sea of excited faces, witnessing a piece of history unfold, now thatās the life, donāt you think?
What a reminder, my darlings, that the arts, especially dance, possess a truly special power. They remind us that there is beauty and joy even in the face of hardship. It's something we all need to remember in these fast-paced, modern times, donāt you think?
Now, Iāve a confession to make: my dear time machine decided to whisk me away to Paris, the heart of ballet, on this little trip back to 1944. It's rather lovely to be here, soaking up the atmosphere and gazing at those classic ballet posters. Iāve been strolling around the OpĆ©ra Garnier, a grand old theatre full of opulent dĆ©cor and dramatic charm, which would later play host to countless stunning ballet performances. Can you picture a pink tutu waltzing through the hallways of this magnificent building? Sigh. A girl can dream, can't she?
Oh! Speaking of dreams, the absolute delight I found shopping for fabrics! I stumbled across a little treasure of a boutique, and its walls were simply bursting with exquisite silks and satins. It was as if a symphony of colours had come alive in these delicate threads ā what a delight to the eyes! Naturally, I couldn't resist snagging a few yards of luscious pink silk, the softest thing you ever felt. I think itās just the perfect material to dream up my own dazzling new tutu ā just wait till you see it, my darlings!
On the subject of ballet in 1944, we canāt ignore the iconic dancer, the legendary Dame Margot Fonteyn. A real ballet star of that era, she danced for The Sadler's Wells Ballet, the company that was soon to be named The Royal Ballet, an organisation very near and dear to my Derbyshire heart! (Thatās my home town, darlings, you know! The Peak District, a breathtaking landscape that truly inspires ā more on that in a later post.)
Margot Fonteyn, my darlings, is practically a ballet goddess. She had a talent, a passion, an expression on stage that captivated hearts across the globe. You simply cannot overestimate her contribution to ballet. But my, what is a ballet goddess without a truly sensational tutu, eh? Those tutus must have twirled through the air with such elegance and beauty!
And that, my lovelies, brings us to the crux of our journey. Think back to those ballet costumes, darlings. Imagine a world without tutus ā dare I say, unthinkable! In 1944, tutus were taking on a new evolution, experimenting with more dramatic, sculptural shapes. We were starting to see a shift towards the more modern, sculpted tutus that we see on the stage today. They were becoming a statement of expression, of beauty, of artistic daring! A far cry from the more basic, fluffy, classical tutus of the Victorian era.
Don't get me wrong, I love those classic tutus ā there's nothing quite like a timeless tulle masterpiece, fluffy and delicate, evoking an air of pure grace and beauty. However, the sculpted, dramatic lines of modern tutus have a captivating allure all of their own, don't you think? Each era embraces the tutu differently, bringing its own flair and ingenuity to this beloved garment.
And my lovelies, that's what we must do, too! We must embrace our own unique style and flair! Never be afraid to add a personal touch, a splash of colour, a daring detail that truly makes that tutu your own!
And for goodness sake, pink, pink, pink! A pink tutu? It's like a love song written just for your legs! I can practically hear it now ā "Tutu Tuesday: My Pink Passion"!
Speaking of a pink passion, Iāve got a most excellent ballet performance lined up tonight here in Paris. I hear the Paris OpĆ©ra Ballet are showcasing an all-star performance of āGiselleā. I'm simply giddy with anticipation. I can hardly wait to lose myself in the romance and drama, surrounded by a sea of tutus, both pink and white! I wonder, do they have a pink version of Giselle? Perhaps in a future trip through timeā¦ Ooh, a pink Giselle tutu! I must brainstorm...
Remember darlings, let your inner ballerina twirl freely! Be daring, be confident, and embrace the magic that is a tutu! And until next week, keep those tutus spinning, and do let me know, what's your favourite tutu style? Do share your thoughts and stories on www.pink-tutu.com. And of course, #TutuTuesday continues next Tuesday, where I'll be revealing something utterly extraordinary! Itās going to be amazing!
Lots of love from your ever-optimistic, tutu-obsessed blogger,
Emma
