Hello my gorgeous ballet darlings! Emma here, your favourite tutu-loving, ballet-obsessed blogger, coming to you from sunny (well, slightly grey) Derbyshire. Ready for another journey into the fabulous world of ballet history? This week we're stepping back in time to a momentous year, 1642. Why is this year so important? Well, it's the year that the Académie Royale de Danse was founded in Paris.
Now, this wasn't the first time people were dancing, of course. But it marks a very special turning point. Before the academy, ballet was more about courtly dances and masquerades - a fancy affair to show off your royal connections and how good you looked in silk and satin. The Académie Royale de Danse decided that dancing was an art form in its own right, a real craft worthy of study and dedication. Think of it like ballet school - the start of rigorous training to hone technique, create beautiful choreography and explore the power of storytelling through dance.
What a big deal, right? This is like when you first discovered ballet, when it wasn't just a school class, but something magical and captivating.
The Académie Royale de Danse also set about codifying these dance movements, making sure everyone could understand the language of ballet and its unique beauty. It’s a bit like your favourite tutu style becoming so popular everyone wants one. The academy even began documenting all the different positions and steps in dance.
And who were some of these pioneering dancers? Well, they were men. At the time, ballet was primarily a male art form, with women primarily performing as courtly figures or accompanying dancers. I mean, how fabulous would it have been to be one of the first women in these dance academies, dancing professionally with equal recognition for our artistry! Well, hold your horses ladies, it was coming, trust me.
It's no surprise, though, that ballet was evolving at this time alongside other fashionable changes. It’s no coincidence this change coincided with a period of rapid social and artistic development, with Louis XIII ushering in the baroque era and Louis XIV bringing a new sophistication to the court. Fancy shoes, colourful, rich fabrics, and decadent dance movements! It must have been truly glamorous!
Now, let's delve a little deeper into the world of ballet in 1642. Sadly, we have no real recordings of actual performances, only scattered historical descriptions. But even these give us a glimpse into a world where ballet wasn’t about telling stories, it was more about presenting movements and visual beauty, and expressing emotion through dance.
Imagine those dance classes! Can you picture those fancy court balls? Now think about that choreography: all these amazing movements flowing like silk, showcasing technique and skill in perfect synchronisation with a court orchestra. We must have some really beautiful paintings somewhere…I bet those ballerinas’ costumes were quite elaborate too! Maybe, with some time-travel shenanigans, I can dig deeper into that historical fashion and get some inspo for my new line…
But all is not rosy! 1642 saw the start of the English Civil War, so even amidst the splendour of court dance, there was also conflict. Imagine dancers rushing to the studios after watching battles unfold, seeking a temporary escape in the elegant movement and disciplined training. That's what makes dance such a beautiful refuge!
And what about ballet shows back then? Well, those shows were often performed at the royal court for dignitaries. This was more like the exclusive premiere nights you get invited to, only much grander. It was an opportunity to display not just talent, but social position, political allegiances, and the overall prestige of the king and queen. You bet they wore beautiful shoes, head to toe in fine, fancy fabrics – oh to see how much fashion has changed and also how little it has.
So, 1642 was an important year. The foundation for modern ballet, its unique identity, the importance of training, even the development of its language through the development of codified movements – it all started with a dedication to this artform. While we don't have the flashy costumes and stories, there was an explosion of creative energy in 1642 – a dance that started a long and incredible journey of exploration.
Let's just imagine how those beautiful tutus might have been crafted – oh, to find the perfect pair! I mean, what wouldn't I give to travel to 1642 for just a day or two? Maybe for a weekend ballet retreat to experience the history for myself and do a spot of historical fashion research.
Remember, lovelies, it was in those court balls, amongst the clashing colours and luxurious silks, that ballet started to take its first bold steps towards its dazzling, and even revolutionary, future. As dancers ourselves, it’s amazing to see the long journey this elegant art form has undertaken!
If you haven't been wearing pink yet, well my dear, perhaps a trip back in time with some street dancing may well be just the ticket to get that tutu feeling…
Keep shining, you beautiful souls, and may your tutus twirl beautifully.
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
