Hello darlings! Emma here, back with another dive into the fabulous history of ballet! Today, we're waltzing back to 1719, a year brimming with exciting new developments that would reshape the dance scene! 🎉 Let's put on our pinkest tutus and twirl back in time, shall we?
I mean, who could imagine a world without ballet? I just can't imagine it, can you? Ballet is so much more than just pirouettes and plies, it's an art form, a history lesson, and a way of life, and what better way to appreciate it than to learn about the pioneers who brought it to life?! So grab a cup of your favourite pink-hued tea, put your favourite playlist on (preferably something classically elegant, of course!) and let's learn together!
As I mentioned, 1719 was a year full of change. It's easy to get swept away by the glitter and glamour of ballerinas we see today but those dancers weren’t born with their skills, they built them through dedication and innovation. Just imagine if you could have gone back to that time period, think about the breathtaking dance pieces that were about to become all the rage, the intricate costumes and the grand performances! My goodness!
The French Court in 1719 was quite the fashionista haven. They embraced intricate embroidery and feathers in their clothing, reflecting their opulence and refined taste, much like us ballet fans today! Even today, we can still appreciate the artistry in the elegant tutus with their carefully arranged feathers and sparkly rhinestones. Isn’t it just magnificent how history repeats itself?
And guess what else? That's also when Louis XIV decided to introduce his new "Royal Academy of Music". He really did understand the power of performance. His influence paved the way for ballet as an art form and gave birth to some seriously stylish and intricate ballets. We owe a lot to him for paving the way for all our beloved ballet companies and performances!
Now, let's talk about the fabulousness of those shows!
If you were to journey back to Paris, a city known for its fashion and allure even then, you could see incredible productions of ballets like 'Les Amours des Dieux', 'Les Jeux Floraux', and 'La Naissance d’Ulysse'. I bet they would have had absolutely fabulous costumes - can you imagine the intricate embroidery and feather embellishments on the dancers' gowns? Those Parisian dancers would definitely rock a pink tutu with confidence, I’m sure! They were so fashion-forward for their time.
Speaking of tutus, they were certainly evolving back then. The traditional, full-length skirt tutus we know and adore were starting to appear on stage. Isn't it lovely that those fluffy clouds of tulle started to take shape and create the beautiful shape of the tutu we are used to today? They just add such grace and ethereal beauty to our favourite dancers, wouldn’t you agree?
It was an era of grace, of elegance, of artistry! The ballet dancers of 1719 moved with such captivating grace, using their movements to express powerful emotions, storytelling through dance, what a dream come true. The movement itself became an expressive language that spoke volumes.
Did you know that even in the midst of these dramatic performances, dancers were still exploring innovative techniques? They were moving from a purely theatrical ballet into something much more dynamic. I bet their movements would have been a stunning mix of fluid motions and dynamic leaps! Ballet was truly blooming as an art form in its own right!
Can you believe this? It’s 1719 and dancers already understand that it is all about expressing the story through movements, leaps, and spins! If I had the chance to travel back, I’d be hopping straight into the theatre to witness such talent, you bet.
That’s where I am going to leave you this week my dears! I think it is about time I start getting ready for a wonderful street performance. I want to encourage people from all walks of life to join in with our dance, I think they would look marvelous in a pink tutu! Just wait and see what they'll think, the reactions will be fabulous. Until next week!
Lots of love and twirls, Emma xx
