History of Ballet in 1612

Hello, my darling dancers! Emma here, ready to whisk you away on another whirlwind tour through the glorious history of ballet! This week, we're twirling back to 1612 – a year bursting with artistry and grace, brimming with the excitement of the very beginnings of our beloved dance form. Buckle up, darlings, because we're about to embark on a journey full of captivating performances, splendid fashions, and even a glimpse into the origins of ballet shoes! 👠

So grab your favourite pink tutu (I'm personally sporting my new vintage-inspired confection today, a delicate lilac tulle with delicate pink satin bows) and settle in for a truly enchanting post!

1612 was a pivotal year for ballet, and trust me, it was every bit as dramatic and captivating as our favourite classical pieces! In this year, King Louis XIII of France had a ball. Literally! This royal bash – the Balet de la Reine – was the big moment for ballet, truly pushing it from a royal spectacle to something akin to our grand operas.

Can you picture it? The court bedecked in silks and jewels, shimmering like a rainbow under candlelight. Imagine the elegant dance of courtiers and nobles – their steps imbued with both power and grace, a spectacle that surely captivated the room.

What made The Balet de la Reine so momentous? Well, for one, it was a total sensory experience! Not only did it showcase amazing choreography, it featured lavish costumes, charming music, and even enchanting storytelling woven into its steps.

Ballet wasn't just fancy footwork, darlings; it was a fully immersive art form that embraced drama, beauty, and a powerful, heartfelt narrative. It was the kind of experience that leaves you breathless, just like a performance of "Swan Lake" or "Sleeping Beauty" does today.

Sadly, no ballet company today exists that can perfectly recreate The Balet de la Reine – but that doesn't mean there's no way to capture its magic! If you're itching to be swept away by ballet in all its glory, let's look at some shows you can check out, inspired by 1612!

• Royal Opera House, London: For those seeking an opulent spectacle, a performance of "Swan Lake" here will transport you back to the grand ballets of old. The sheer beauty of the sets, the ethereal choreography, and the passionate drama of the story…pure magic!
• The Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow: The Russian Ballet Company offers truly heart-stopping performances of "Giselle", a story that takes you on a journey of love, loss, and the ethereal world of spirits. The dancing is nothing short of breath-taking!

Let me know if you've been to any of these shows! I'd love to hear what you thought of them.

Now, let's chat shoes! One of my absolute favourite things about ballet is the shoes. They're like miniature sculptures, each stitch, each curve designed for elegant movement and breathtaking artistry.

Believe it or not, back in 1612, shoes weren't as elegant as we might expect. Instead of the soft satin shoes we adore today, the dancers in The Balet de la Reine donned simple, sturdy shoes made from leather.

While they might not have had the pointe shoes we love today (though I've seen a few incredible interpretations of pointe-style dance!), they definitely had their own kind of charm. Those simple, elegant lines would later give rise to the ballerina slippers we cherish so much.

If you want to bring the elegance of 1612 into your wardrobe today, I have some lovely inspiration for you.

1. The Pastel Palettes: We’re seeing an influx of pretty pastel hues in everything from tulle skirts to dresses – it's the perfect homage to the elegant colours favoured during this era.
2. Romantic Ruffles: For an authentic touch of 1612, consider a ruffle detail on your bodice or skirt. I'm seeing this style on ballet dresses, leotards and even a few incredible tutus!
3. A Crown of Gems: Headbands studded with sequins, glitter, and rhinestones make a sparkling statement. It's a simple touch but elevates any outfit, mirroring the way royalty once embraced jewels and ornaments!

*If you’re inspired to recreate these looks, don’t hesitate to show off your new creations with the hashtag #PinkTutu1612. *

Speaking of creativity and fashion, I just had to mention my little project! Since I live in Derbyshire, I've been incorporating my passion for street dance and theatre into my ballet history project. I often host mini performances – in places like market squares and local festivals – where I teach the basics of ballet to enthusiastic audience members. We even dress up in tutus, and sometimes we even take it to the stage for impromptu ballet sketches!

The idea, darlings, is to break down the boundaries of the stage and bring the magic of ballet to everyone!

And hey, maybe we'll even inspire the next generation of ballerinas! Think about it: we're already paving the way for the next generations of ballet lovers. If I could only get them all rocking a pink tutu, it'd be my dream come true!

Stay tuned for more historical ballet escapades – there are so many incredible stories to discover, and I can’t wait to share them with you.

See you soon, darlings! And remember: "You are beautiful. You are strong. You are a ballerina!" 💕🩰