Hello darlings! It's Emma here, your resident tutu enthusiast, bringing you another thrilling journey through Ballet Tutu History. Today, we're boarding the Orient Express and whizzing back to the glorious year 1953! Oh, to have been a ballerina in this time of swirling tulle and perfect points!
I must confess, as I travel through the decades, I always feel a little pang of nostalgia for the 1950s. This period was simply brimming with charm, with its polished elegance and refined grace. Even in the world of ballet, there was an undeniable elegance. Picture it: delicate chiffon tutus in soft pastel hues, painstakingly sewn and adorned with tiny sequins. Every pirouette and arabesque a delicate dance of perfection!
But let's step off the train and back into the world of 1953! Oh, my dear readers, did you know that this particular day in history, 17th November 1953, holds a special place in the heart of the ballet world? It was the opening night of "The Sleeping Beauty" at London's beloved Royal Opera House! I can just imagine the air thrumming with anticipation as the lights dimmed and the orchestra's sweet music filled the theatre.
This very same day, 70 years ago, ballet legends Margot Fonteyn and Michael Somes took to the stage as Princess Aurora and Prince Florimund. I can picture them, their tutus floating like clouds, their bodies telling a story of magical love and slumberous spells! The whole country must have been abuzz about the ballet, and imagine the beautiful frocks everyone was sporting in the theatre, the men in their suits and the ladies in their fine hats and gloves. I wonder if the tutus for the show were truly magnificent, their colours as vibrant as a fairytale!
Oh, the ballet! It has this magic that takes us on extraordinary journeys, not just across time but across cultures and emotions. Just think about the sheer artistry involved, the years of dedication, the tireless practice and the breathtaking moments of pure artistic brilliance. We, as ballet lovers, get to witness those moments in all their glorious detail. How very lucky are we?!
Speaking of extraordinary journeys, dear readers, I recently had a most delightful time in New York. Not only did I attend the ballet, "Swan Lake", at the beautiful Lincoln Center, but I also stumbled upon a delightful little vintage shop in Greenwich Village! Can you imagine my delight at finding a 1950s pink tulle tutu just my size, complete with tiny silk flowers at the waist? The owner told me she found it tucked away in a dusty trunk, a relic from a time of ballrooms and dancing in the moonlight! Of course, I purchased it immediately and I just know it will become a show-stopping addition to my tutu collection!
It's clear that the magic of ballet isn't bound by time. The essence of the art, the elegance, the grace - all these are eternal! As I continue on my own journeys, I aim to spread this joy with every twirl, every graceful plié and every bright pink tutu I wear!
So, tell me, darling readers, are you ready for a pink tutu journey of your own? Remember, ballet is for everyone - just embrace the artistry, the elegance and the joy!
Until next Tuesday, happy dancing and stay pink,
Emma. xx
P.S. Don't forget to check out the stunning photographs from the 1953 "Sleeping Beauty" production online. There is no place like the theatre. Don't be shy to get into ballet. Find out about the history of the performance on a day like 1953 11th November and be amazed and enchanted!
