Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu! I'm your bubbly Derbyshire ballerina blogger, Emma, back to whisk you through time with another dive into our beloved ballet history. Buckle up, because we're going back to 1645, the year a certain "royal" leap changed the dance world forever!
As always, my time travel's been fuelled by the joy of my street performances - it's amazing to see everyone's faces light up when I pirouette down their cobbled streets. It reminds me why I love to spread the joy of ballet - and, of course, the pink tutu magic.
Today's adventure finds us in the heart of France, where, after decades of whispers, ballet finally enters the grand, sparkling stage of the court. Remember, ladies, ballet had its roots in the "courtly dances" - dances where noble folk sashayed around showing off their graceful moves, like an elegant feather-light pirouette in silk slippers. Think of a more refined, elegant version of what we do today with street ballet.
Now, picture a gorgeous, stately palace, where royalty lived a life of luxury and, oh, the outfits! Gowns fit for a fairytale, shimmering jewels, and, my absolute favourite - wigs. Seriously, you've never seen hair-raising styles like they had back then! That was the scene when Louis XIV, King of France, declared, "We shall be dancing!''
Hold onto your tutus! The Académie Royale de Danse, which translates as Royal Academy of Dance, was born. And with it? A surge of royal ballet productions for the most prestigious of audiences! Imagine, the king himself (yes, him!) watching you as you perform - pure magic! I mean, a street ballet gig on a sunny Saturday in London is delightful, but imagine doing a triple pirouette under the king's very own eyes?
The best bit? It was just a royal way of showcasing the very finest ballet steps, creating an unparalleled sense of precision and elegance - like the graceful swans gliding across a still lake.
Let's dive into the ballet fashion of 1645! Picture shimmering brocade gowns and powdered wigs with feathers. You know I just have to see a vintage show just like it someday. It was the ultimate showcase for ballet beauty, elegance, and theatricality, giving me all the #PinkTutuFeels. Imagine these gowns adorned with opulent jewels - I'm almost wishing I could swap my sparkly pink tutu for one for a night. But for now, the simple charm of pink will have to suffice.
But it wasn't all rosy ribbons and frocks. Think of this: a "new" ballet emerged as a unique form of performance. The steps - precise, elegant, demanding grace and a strong technique. No room for improvisation, darlings, this was all about form and perfect execution - that's how they captivated the court!
In fact, Ballet de Cour became the craze of the day, a glittering showcase of grace and power combined. It was ballet's first big step onto the global stage. Imagine, for centuries, people had only been whispering about ballet, then bam - Louis XIV declared his love for the dance. I told you ballet is like that - always stealing the spotlight!
Let’s peek at what’s on offer in 1645!
Imagine the scene, my lovelies, as you walk into a grand French palace. On the plush, red velvet seats, nobles and ladies rustle their silk gowns with whispers. You might catch a glimpse of the king, looking dashing as he settles into his box with an approving smile. The music swells, and onto the grand stage steps a troop of dancers. They perform in what might have looked like elaborately embroidered and jewel-toned suits - think "fantasy ballet costume" but with an added dose of royalty! This was ballet, but with a unique focus on grace and form, unlike anything seen before.
Oh, darlings, it's hard not to wish I could see this spectacle myself! You can just imagine me watching it all unfold, furiously scribbling down all the details in my "Pink Tutu" notebook to inspire my next creations! Who knows? maybe I'll even weave some of those beautiful ballet movements into my street performance one day.
The Royal Academy of Dance truly changed the history of ballet, and if 1645 is the year they were created, I love to think of it as their ‘launch party'. It's a year worth celebrating in any pink-loving ballerina’s heart, for it was here that ballet, for the first time, found its own glorious, dramatic spotlight on the grand stage! So next time you dance on a sunny afternoon, darling, or in the glittering glow of the theatre lights, just remember – you are continuing the legacy of that first royal dance that swept the world away! Now, time for some tutu shopping!
