Hello my darling ballet bunnies! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu wearing historian of all things twirling and fabulous. Today, I'm whisking us back in time, to the year 1731!
My, oh my, what a time to be alive! As a Derbyshire lass at heart, I'm absolutely besotted with this era. Think of all the incredible historical figures we could be sipping tea with right now!
Firstly, let's delve into the world of ballet fashion which, I have to admit, is looking very, very different than our current tutu-tastic trends. Imagine, ballet dancers were wearing what looked more like gowns! The 18th century was the era of the "Robe à la Francaise" – imagine billowing sleeves, layers of luxurious silk, and a fitted bodice - a world away from our shimmering leotards and feathered tutus!
However, hold onto your tutus ladies, because a ballet revolution was brewing. Back in 1731, Jean-Georges Noverre, the "Father of Modern Ballet" as we know him now, was born. A passionate visionary, he believed ballet should be more than just rigid poses and elaborate costumes - it should tell stories, move with emotion, and express powerful narratives! This was truly ground-breaking in the ballet world. Noverre wanted to elevate ballet from a simple courtly entertainment to a dramatic and emotive art form!
Speaking of revolutionary, our lovely time-travel brought me face-to-face with a dazzling show in Paris: Le Triomphe de l'Amour, ou Ballet héroïque, choreographed by the talented Jean-Baptiste de la Motte. It was simply breath-taking! This was one of the earliest ballets that embraced this new style, with choreography reflecting the exciting themes of love and triumph! The story unfolded in front of my very eyes, and the beauty of the dances transported me into a world of emotions!
Speaking of Paris, we cannot forget the* exquisite fashions*. A real testament to the beauty of the 18th Century, the ballet scene in 1731 saw a plethora of elaborate costumes adorned with dazzling lace and rich embroidery. I just had to indulge in a few frothy silk gowns, with the most delicate, hand-painted motifs, from some of Paris' most fashionable ateliers! A pink dress was found, needless to say, and the entire shopping experience left me positively buzzing. If you are reading this from your own time, dear reader, imagine if our beloved pink tutus had to compete with all those elaborate gowns!
Thankfully, history remembers Noverre's groundbreaking innovations. It led to the evolution of ballet as we know it - beautiful, captivating, and expressive! This year, 1731, marked the beginning of a beautiful evolution towards the artistic, expressive form that we see today.
To help keep this era in the minds of every ballet enthusiast, dear reader, we have our wonderful time travelling dancers and the magnificent street performances! Remember: If you are ever in need of an elegant and thrilling way to get to know the world of ballet, simply step outside your door. Join in with one of our charming performances, or give us a wave from afar - a big "hello" to your local time-travelling ballet team is guaranteed to make your day! Our gorgeous pink tutus are always an eye-catching and vibrant reminder of all things wonderful about ballet, no matter the time period.
See you at the next performance,
Your devoted friend and dancing devotee,
Emma (the pink tutu-obsessed)
