History of Ballet in 1580

Hey darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad ballet blogger, back with another trip through the history of our glorious dance! Today we’re stepping back to the fabulous year of 1580. Now, you might not be thinking “ballet” when you picture the 16th century, but trust me, this was a pivotal year for what we know as ballet!

So, put on your most fetching pink tutu and let’s step back in time to explore this thrilling period…

You know how much I love a bit of history, and 1580 was simply brimming with it! Queen Elizabeth I, a bit of a trendsetter, was reigning supreme in England. Picture her, a total icon, wearing opulent gowns and probably a little tiara - maybe a pink one! 😉

Anyway, in France, something truly groundbreaking was happening. Let's fast forward to Catherine de Medici. Now, Catherine wasn’t your typical royal - she loved the arts! Think extravagant parties, stunning costumes, and an air of elegance unlike anything else. And wouldn’t you know it, she became the biggest supporter of, what do you think? That’s right, BALLET!

Catherine commissioned the “Ballet Comique de la Reine” in 1581. Can you imagine that?! It was the first ever ballet production. This spectacle, all in honour of her daughter's wedding, brought together dancers, musicians, and actors in a magnificent display of beauty and artistry.

Now, think of that moment - a completely new art form making its grand debut! It wasn't your structured, graceful ballet just yet, but imagine the wonder of watching it unfold!

This ballet was essentially a spectacular story played out with music and dance. There were lavish costumes, scenic effects, and even masks! The costumes, oh, the costumes! The silks, the brocades, the feathers! So dreamy! Just imagine if we could get that level of couture in modern ballet. Sigh.

Catherine’s groundbreaking commission led to an absolute explosion of ballet. Suddenly, everyone was obsessed with this new form of art!

Over the next century, ballet would evolve in France and beyond, slowly shaping itself into the beautiful and powerful dance form we know and adore today. But just imagine what those first ballet enthusiasts felt - they were part of something revolutionary, like watching the world change before their eyes!

And the fact that this dance artform was born in a pink tutu kind of moment?! So elegant! So romantic! Truly magical!

Talking of magical and fashion! Imagine a royal ballet show, probably set in a lavish palace, the queen watching with a discerning eye - maybe with a small tiara with tiny pink stones. All the noble guests in gorgeous silk gowns with lace embellishments, with layers and layers of sumptuous fabrics! It's the perfect picture of what I call “regal glam”!

And the dancers? In this early form of ballet, the ladies would have worn flowing gowns, lots of frills, and an abundance of beautiful fabrics, just like we see in paintings of this era! Remember, ballet at this point was essentially theatrical. But there was a sense of elegance that we would see become central to ballet style over the following centuries.

Just like a ballet tutu is today, the garments were almost like an extension of the choreography, allowing freedom of movement. A little impractical perhaps, but hey! That’s fashion! 😄

1580! We have Queen Elizabeth reigning in England. Let's just imagine for a moment what a ballet production would have been like then in that beautiful island! There’s something romantic and dramatic about the very notion. Maybe the inspiration would be drawn from those majestic Shakespearean stories!

There is some debate about exactly when ballet traveled from France to Italy and beyond. But the truth is that we can already sense an international love for ballet, as people across Europe would have been talking about and enthralled by what had been taking place at the French Court. This exciting new dance form quickly captivated everyone, making it feel as if everyone was about to take a spin around a dance floor!

Just imagine a world full of people with new ideas and desires to express themselves through graceful movements! This is how ballet took the world by storm!

So, what can we learn from this exciting period in ballet history? For me, it’s all about that sense of wonder, of new beginnings, and the magic of a creative spark igniting a worldwide passion! The spirit of those early pioneers lives on in every twirl, every leap, every heartfelt performance we experience today.

You know me, I'm all for dressing up, for dressing fabulously in pink tutus, of course! So the extravagant fashions from that era continue to inspire me today! The intricate details, the drama, the pure spectacle!

1580 reminds me why I love ballet so much! It reminds me to embrace every stage in ballet history, from the very first step in those magnificent ballrooms to today’s cutting edge dance masterpieces.

And don’t forget, darlings, with every tutu I see out there, my dream comes closer! And this week, I'll be posting an instructional video on how to make a pink ballet skirt at home using fabric from your local thrift store, because there’s no excuse not to dance, wherever you are, with the love of pink tutus! 😊

Let’s keep our passion for this exquisite artform burning bright!

Until next time,

Emma

www.pink-tutu.com