Hello my fellow twirling enthusiasts, and welcome back to another delightful journey through the captivating world of ballet history! It's your girl Emma, back with a new post for www.pink-tutu.com and a whole lot of pink to share! This time, we’re swirling our way back to the year 1805, the early 19th century, a truly exciting period in the evolution of ballet! As you know, I'm passionate about showcasing the beauty and joy of ballet from every era, and this month, we're focusing on the vibrant cultural atmosphere surrounding this graceful art form!
Pink Tutu Time Travel: 1805, A World in Bloom
This month, Magic Meg and I have galloped back to the charming, vibrant year 1805. I couldn’t resist the call of the romantic era in ballet history. We were graced with some phenomenal performances! Can you believe it's been 218 years? I still pinch myself when I'm bouncing around with my favourite ballerina shoes. I’m always learning and spreading the word of dance, spreading the message that everyone can be a ballerina - just embrace the joy of movement and let your spirit soar!
Our arrival this time was met with the scent of spring in the air. As always, Magic Meg is perfectly at home, gliding through cobbled streets, carrying her usual pink sparkling, golden-hooved grace with that gorgeous white mane flowing behind us. We reached a grand, regal city in full bloom. Even the architecture seemed to echo the blossoming of dance itself. My pink tutu seemed to fit right in with all the pastel colours and delicate lace fashions that were the rage then. Honestly, the colours were a true inspiration. Who knew pastels could be so enchanting?
We're heading straight for a dance academy, a haven of artistic endeavour and elegant refinement. Just stepping into the academy, I felt the passion, the meticulous dedication, the artistic fire of the students. They are practicing diligently, refining their technique, embracing the stories the dance tells. Every movement feels infused with the magic of a new era of grace, a beautiful combination of artistry and technique. Ballet in this time truly had a delicate quality that is inspiring even for a veteran of many different ballet timelines.
A Peek Inside 1805's Ballet World:
The Shows: In the Parisian opera house, which is the main focus of this particular trip back in time, I'm eager to soak in the magic. My ballet-filled rucksack was full to bursting by this point, full of pamphlets, little stories and even snippets of costume fabric from the period! There's nothing like immersing myself in a new ballet scene and the creative process to ignite my passion and feed my mind and heart. I’m loving the focus on beauty and a story of passion, a focus that continues to inspire choreographers and audiences around the world to this day.
A new wave of theatrical dance was hitting its stride in 1805. With the end of the Napoleonic Wars on the horizon, it was time for more relaxed evenings, lighthearted enjoyment, and the grace of the dancing form to weave a spell of delight over audiences. The elegance of dance moved alongside the fashion and society of the time, bringing us stories and entertainment that truly felt timeless.
There were a number of notable ballet pieces being performed this time. Ballet in this period tended to use mythological stories like La Danse des Ombres (The Dance of Shadows) in Psyché. These were more fantastical tales and less heavy with morals and drama - all about creating something visually striking and elegant, as opposed to a narrative focus. It was an era when elegance was prioritised and the ‘Ballet d’Action’ form started to take its place as the popular trend in this timeframe. This really started to form the theatrical dance we know and love today - storytelling with graceful steps! Jean-Georges Noverre is a crucial figure to study during this time. A big part of what made 1805 ballet truly enchanting was his revolutionary ideas - the dance became a full storytelling form with movement, costume, and theatricality becoming interwoven and all about telling a captivating tale.
Shopping for Inspiration
I'm a firm believer that there is beauty to be found in every time period, and a visit to the local market is always a must! This period is truly heaven for a lover of fashion like myself! 1805 had an eclectic mix of fashion influences. We had the influence of the Neoclassical art style. This style inspired the era's fashion. This gave the time an amazing elegance, where silks were flowing, and even though this is still the early part of the 19th century, you can feel the whispers of the romantic era about to blossom. There's also a lot of influence from Napoleon’s campaigns. I particularly adored the gorgeous pastel dresses, especially the empire line dresses with that iconic high waistline. I can definitely see the way 1805 fashions were paving the way for the romantic fashion trends of later years!
One of the must-see places in the market was a quaint shop specializing in delicate fabric and laces, with such intricate patterns. It is no surprise that 1805 saw fashion and ballet complement each other with elegance and a feminine style. It's just such an elegant period. So much beauty and inspiration, with fashion so in tune with the art of movement! This made it perfect for my favourite pink tulle tutu shopping! I grabbed a new ribbon to replace one in my ballet shoes. They looked a little faded. I don't care if you can see that bit of old pink under the ribbons as they wear - it makes it a better, authentic story - you have to let yourself age gracefully as a tutu - and what a story to tell when my shoes start to wear through with age, worn from a life lived around time travelling!
From the Stage to the Streets:
And you know how much I love street dancing. Imagine, my fellow tutu enthusiasts, ballet spilling out from the theatres and into the cobblestone streets. People, regardless of age, were dancing with abandon. There was something enchanting about that fusion, something that felt alive with excitement.
1805 was an amazing year for a dancer - this was a year with a real explosion of dance taking the form of ‘ballets d'action’. It became a lot more storytelling driven, a lot more movement. Ballet moved into new areas and really found itself moving into this new kind of dramatic storytelling and narrative style. You really start to feel this coming out when you see performances at this time. It’s no wonder ballet gained such popularity with audiences, right? They're not just seeing steps anymore. It feels more exciting because they can actually get involved in a story and feel part of something a bit more personal.
You know, for a time travelling tutu-wearing dancer, my favourite part is to see just how much joy it brings to everyone. Dance can bring so much together! In 1805, even ordinary folk would find themselves swaying and swirling, adding a graceful touch to daily life, bringing joy and community through dance!
It is not just the elegance, the refinement that I'm captivated by here. There's this strong spirit that goes along with dance at this time. In a world with grand houses, cobblestone streets, and gas lights that are gradually being implemented across cities - dance is just such a lovely way to express ourselves and be a community of artists and creators! It brings a different kind of heart and soul to each movement - it’s what keeps me coming back time after time!
Ballet Lessons for Us All:
As I hop back onto Magic Meg, and start making our way back to 2023, a few important lessons about dance are ingrained in my heart, ready to bring some magic back to our world.
Dance is for Everyone. Regardless of who you are, dance should be accessible and enjoyable. Just like it was for everyone in 1805, from aristocrats to ordinary folk - dance really became about shared joy, movement, and creating an atmosphere for happiness!
Fashion Matters, But So Does Passion: A ballerina in 1805 didn’t need to worry about tights, but they still wore incredible shoes, beautiful shoes made from leather and fabric that helped bring beauty to the steps they performed. Let your style be a reflection of your passions, a reflection of your love for dance and what it truly means for you! Embrace what is stylish and graceful to you, to bring that authentic element to your personal dance! I think this is where so many people, myself included, struggle! I'm constantly on the look out for a little something extra, something vintage that makes my tutu a unique style for time travelling! There is no single look for a dancer. It's all about you and finding what moves you!
Storytelling Through Dance is Magic: In the early 19th century, ballet blossomed as an enchanting storytelling art form! As time goes on, this style only gets more engaging. Dance transcends time and languages, bringing stories and emotion alive for every viewer.
So, let's all bring some pink tutu joy and graceful energy into our lives. Dance on, my dear friends. Every step is a story waiting to be told.
Remember, there are always more journeys to be had, more magic to discover! Until next time, happy twirling!
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. I am really hoping for some stunning pink tulle in my next trip - it will look amazing for that beautiful, romantic dance era coming in the latter 19th Century!
