Hey everyone! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-clad time traveller, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels! It's the second post for my monthly ballet blog, and I'm absolutely brimming with excitement about where Magic Meg took me this time! February the 2nd, 1661. I was this close to skipping all over Versailles. Can you imagine? A royal ballet, a shimmering court, and me, twirling in my pink tutu, amidst a whirl of velvet and lace!
You know how much I love ballet history, and today was a real treat! My leather rucksack (already overflowing with tutus and dance ephemera) is even heavier than usual!
But First, Magic Meg!
Let's not forget my incredible pink-sparkling shire steed, Magic Meg. She’s a true time traveller herself! Imagine: golden hooves, a white mane and tail flowing like clouds, and all this wrapped up in shimmering pink! You couldn't find a more magical pink-tutu companion if you tried. (Unless you count my adorable fluffy pink bunny, Priscilla - who always gets the best cuddles when I get home! I’ve gotta say, my little rabbit has more bling than some of the ballet dancers in history!)
1661: Ballet, Power, and the Rise of a New Dynasty!
The air in Paris was buzzing with anticipation. I practically galloped into the Château de Fontainebleau, where King Louis XIV had gathered his court for an extraordinary event. It was none other than "Le Ballet Royal de la Nuit", or "The Royal Ballet of the Night". Can you imagine, ballet performances held in lavish palaces! It must have been absolutely captivating.
Imagine! Louis XIV, dressed in a magnificent costume, dancing alongside his noblemen! This ballet wasn’t just a show – it was a display of power, showcasing the Sun King himself as a god among men!
The audience was as impressive as the ballet! Aristocrats, courtiers, and dignitaries were crammed into the magnificent ballroom, each in their finest attire. Ladies rustled their silken gowns and gentlemen bowed low. I spotted Marie Mancini, the King's alleged mistress at the time – so intriguing!
A Brief Ballet History Blast!
Speaking of intrigue, can we talk about just how important ballet is to French culture? Did you know that King Louis XIV practically created ballet as we know it today? His own Académie Royale de Danse was the world's first ballet academy, and he appointed the renowned Jean-Baptiste Lully as director of music!
Think about it – this era is a turning point! Ballet moved from a courtly spectacle to an art form with its own rules and aesthetics. Louis XIV himself took on the role of choreographer and dancer in "Le Ballet Royal de la Nuit". Imagine being as passionate about ballet as a king!
Fashion Faux Pas!
My trusty time-travel cloak was handy! I kept myself hidden, taking in all the historical delights without raising any eyebrows! The clothes, oh my! All lace and ruffles and silks, it was pure delight! And let's be honest, those big pouffy skirts and layers and layers of fabric were anything but comfy! My pink tutu might seem a bit strange to those fancy-pants, but it’s far more comfortable – plus, who needs a corset when you’ve got the freedom of a tutu? 😉
I almost wished I had brought a second tutu just to dance along – they had to dance so formally! No graceful, elegant extensions and pirouettes in those massive robes! Not to mention, everyone was so serious. My love of playful, joyous expression – think “Moulin Rouge”! That was centuries away!
Pink Tutu Inspiration!
Of course, I brought some bits back to Derbyshire! I picked up an incredible book of sketches from the court of King Louis XIV, the royal dance instructor's notebook, and even some scraps of velvet from a forgotten costume!
I’m excited to share this with you on my website - pink-tutu.com! (Oh, have you subscribed yet?) - but for now, just think how incredible these discoveries are! Ballet in the royal courts, the dawn of ballet as a form of expression! Think about how it's shaped the dance we know and love today! You really wouldn’t be able to have your favourite ballet without those 1600s dance maestros!
On a Time Travelling Note...
Speaking of dancers, who doesn’t love seeing a show in the Theatre Royal? In Derby, we've got an incredible theatre and ballet heritage. That makes this month's ballet time travel adventure so relevant for us here. This year, why not treat yourself to the wonders of theatre in the Theatre Royal, or find your local dance company and have a go?
P.S. You're all invited to follow my dance journey through time! Just join me at www.pink-tutu.com! Remember, let's get the world wearing pink tutus and embracing all the joy, passion, and beauty that dance offers. Keep those twirls going, and until next time, keep your spirit shining! 💖
Stay fabulous!
Emma x
