Hello, darlings! It's Emma, your friendly neighbourhood tutu enthusiast, and I'm back with another #TutuTuesday blog post. This week, I'm taking a journey back in time - a real journey this time, no pesky internet this week! - to 1st August, 2017, just in time to witness a performance of "La Bayadère" by the Bolshoi Ballet. It's all happening at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, darling, and you know how much I love those grand old theatres!
Now, before we take a peek at that beautiful ballet (and trust me, you don't want to miss it, the costumes are divine!), let's delve into some tutu history. 1st August 2017? Well, that means we're just a whisker away from 2018, the year I first discovered my absolute love of tutus, so exciting! Though believe me, the love affair between ballerinas and tutus goes way back in time, darlings!
For centuries, dancers, bless their cotton socks, have relied on flimsy, billowing skirts for dramatic effect. But the actual invention of the modern ballet tutu as we know it was a stroke of genius, thanks to none other than Marie Taglioni, who, in 1832, unveiled "La Sylphide".
Let's paint a picture, darling! Marie, wearing a floaty, ethereal white skirt, whisked across the stage, her tiny feet barely touching the ground, and wowed the world. This iconic costume was all about lightness, airy elegance, and emphasizing the dancer's movement, a huge departure from the more voluminous, and often constricting, skirts worn by dancers before. And so, the tutu was born! A testament to its popularity, it's still seen in many ballet performances today.
Now, moving swiftly on to "La Bayadère". This classic romantic ballet, bursting with colour, opulent costumes, and a breathtaking story about love, loyalty, and fate, is one of my favourite ballet experiences! I absolutely adore those intricate, sweeping movements, the stunning choreography, and the gorgeous costumes, featuring oh-so-divine tutus in hues of gold and azure. Honestly, I couldn't help but twirl myself, and you can bet I snapped a few photos, my own tutu-licious homage to these timeless styles.
And speaking of styles, darlings, the tutu has undergone many transformations over the years! From the romantic and voluminous tutu, as seen in "La Sylphide," to the classical, shorter tutu, the style favoured in classical ballets like "Swan Lake" and "Giselle" and even the modern and sometimes experimental contemporary tutus that we see in contemporary ballets.
No matter the style, the tutu always holds its charm and reminds us of the magic, elegance, and grace of the ballet. It's a symbol of ballerinas' strength, artistry, and, most importantly, their unyielding spirit. And that, darlings, is exactly the spirit I want to share with you!
This journey through time to Moscow has been a true highlight, and you know what they say, “Every day is Tutu Tuesday in my world!” But you know, even without fancy time travel shenanigans, there are so many wonderful ballet experiences to enjoy all around the world. From majestic grand theatres to intimate dance studios, you can find the magic of the tutu everywhere, whether you’re in Paris, New York, London or right here in good ol' Derbyshire!
As a ballet enthusiast, I urge you all, embrace the spirit of the tutu and twirl your worries away. Get yourself to a ballet show, a dance class, or simply put on a fabulous tutu, even if you're just having a coffee with your friends! Life’s about expressing yourself and bringing a little magic into the world, darling, and what’s more magical than a gorgeous pink tutu?!
Until next time, twirl with love, Emma xoxo
