Hey my loves! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-loving, ballet-obsessed blogger, ready to whisk you back in time for another fabulous trip down ballet lane! 🩰
Today, we're time-hopping to 1685, a year absolutely brimming with ballet excitement! Imagine: powdered wigs, ornate costumes, and the beginnings of a ballet phenomenon that would captivate the world!
Now, picture me: your girl Emma, rocking a gloriously pink tutu amidst the hustle and bustle of 17th-century Paris! (I'd probably cause quite a stir – pink tutus weren't really a thing back then, but who's stopping me from setting the trend?)
Anyway, let's delve into this beautiful era and discover the wonders of ballet in 1685!
A Royal Ballet Debut:
You know me – always a sucker for royalty and elegance! This year, 1685, marked the inauguration of the Académie Royale de Danse – the royal ballet academy of France. The King, Louis XIV, a lover of dance himself (and possibly inspired by the Queen Mother, Anne of Austria, a patron of ballet), saw the potential for this beautiful art form. This moment felt revolutionary, with the King giving official recognition to ballet and bringing structure and sophistication to a practice that was already growing in popularity.
The founding of this Academy marked the beginning of a dazzling era for ballet. Imagine – dancers studying, perfecting their craft under the tutelage of brilliant masters, paving the way for a future where ballet would bloom on the international stage!
Paris, a Hub for Ballet:
While Paris in 1685 buzzed with royal decree and a renewed energy around ballet, the city was already renowned for its dazzling court ballets. These events were extravaganzas, combining elaborate sets, stunning costumes (imagine intricate brocades and feather-trimmed headdresses!), music, and storytelling.
It's tempting to think, oh, how much fun it must have been to attend a royal court ballet. Imagine, I could just picture myself dancing on stage – but perhaps the shoes and costumes would have been a little much even for a girl like me who's all for the glitz and glamour!
Fashionable Footsteps:
Ballet costumes in 1685 were nothing short of spectacular. Think sumptuous fabrics, rich embroidery, and dramatic lines. You could be forgiven for mistaking these dancers for court nobles!
My research suggests that in those times, female dancers often donned wide-legged skirts over a corset. The look was undeniably graceful and graceful, not quite the light, whimsical designs we love now. But, think about it: these styles laid the groundwork for the iconic costumes we see today, giving them the power to tell stories with every movement, twirl, and jump!
More Than Just the Waltz:
Ballet in this period went beyond graceful movements and delicate steps. The ballet choreography was rich with storytelling and theatrical flourishes. Think leaping, energetic steps – dancers expressing emotions through movement and drama.
These shows were often held in grand halls and opera houses, and the audience – a mixture of royalty, courtiers, and members of society - were fully engaged with every performance.
I've imagined a life like this: the excitement of a ballet, the grandeur of the theatre, the fashion... oh, how thrilling it must have been!
A Ballet Bloggers' Journey
For a ballet lover like myself, visiting Paris in 1685 would be a dream! You bet I'd be shopping for a corset – just to soak in the atmosphere! Maybe even attempt to find a pink material – a real pink fabric, not that faded colour that was considered the "real" pink back in the day – for a pink-tutu masterpiece. (We have to start somewhere!)
However, time travel isn’t exactly cheap! Luckily, my trusty street performances allow me to save enough pennies to explore the history of ballet. Who knows what magnificent tutu moments are yet to come? Maybe a 16th-century London show with tights made from silk?!
I have a feeling that this time-travelling, ballet-blogging journey is going to be quite the ride, ladies! See you in my next pink tutu post, when we’ll delve even deeper into the incredible history of our beloved dance!
Love,
Emma 💖
