Hello darling tutu lovers! Welcome to another exciting escapade in time, as I, your resident pink tutu aficionado Emma, jet off on another adventure! This month, we're stepping back to the year 1661, landing smack-dab on the 6th of June. Hold onto your tiaras, darlings, because this is a big one!
For the sixth post of my Pink Tutu Time Travels blog, I've donned my most spectacular fuchsia tulle creation and polished Magic Meg's golden hooves. We're going all the way back to the 17th century, to witness the birth of a ballet institution. Now, you might not think this date has much to do with ballet, but darling, trust me! Today marks a turning point, a grand leap forward for our beloved art form!
You see, dear readers, on this very day, the glorious Louis XIV established the Académie Royale de Danse. And oh, what a momentous occasion that was! It was a grand royal decree, establishing a system of codified dance, a real watershed moment in ballet history. The Academy set standards, formalised technique, and defined the ballet that we know and love today!
Can you imagine, darling? A royal decree devoted to ballet? Just divine! To think that a king, a man of power and grace, saw the art form as something worth formalising, elevating, and bringing to the masses is just… well, it's positively magnificent! It's like he whispered, “Ballet deserves its moment in the spotlight! Let the world know its brilliance, its majesty, its pure grace!”
Before I left, I had a fantastic time searching through all the amazing vintage dance books. Can you believe it, a whole section in my time-travelling backpack is dedicated to the earliest records of ballets and dances from all around the world! And this trip, dear readers, just added to the excitement. I've got some sketches, hand-written notes, and even a programme from an early 17th-century court ballet. My backpack is overflowing!
Now, the 17th century may not be a roaring hotbed of ballerinas in tulle tutus (those come much later, darling), but that doesn't mean the world of dance wasn't alive! Think courtly ballets, a blend of drama and dancing, a show of elegance and sophistication. The fashion was exquisite, think lavish fabrics, luxurious lace, and elaborate costumes – truly something out of a fairytale! Imagine a ballroom lit by candlelight, a string quartet playing, and courtiers waltzing with a grace I'd die for!
The best part, though, is how dance was embraced across all levels of society! It wasn’t just a privilege for royalty, you see. Even in simple village squares, you'd see lively dances and intricate folk routines, the joy of movement palpable and infectious. Even the humblest of peasants expressed their spirit and their hearts through dance, and you know I just love that, darling!
Talking about humble peasants, did you know the idea of a dancer performing in pointe shoes was still something unheard of during this time? Imagine! We wouldn't have the glorious artistry and power of the arabesque or the breathtaking grace of a grand jeté without the ingenuity of those incredible pointe shoes! They are simply magical, don't you think?
But enough with the nostalgia, let's talk about some pink fun! We may not have tutus yet, darling, but what we do have are some seriously impressive historical dances.
Remember the pavane, a stately dance with slow and elegant steps? That was one of the most popular dances in the 17th century! Can't you just picture it? Men and women moving gracefully in an almost meditative manner, dressed to the nines, adorned with extravagant feathers and brocade. The pavane was as dramatic as it was beautiful, full of symbolism, and as a dance for lovers, well, that just speaks to my romantic heart.
Then, there was the volta, a whirlwind of a dance, lively and energetic, where couples whirled and leaped with joyful abandon. Just imagine it! It was a playful dance with partners entwining and lifting each other, full of zest and enthusiasm. The perfect dance to wear a pink silk gown for!
Let's not forget the galliard, the playful dance full of flourishes and steps designed to show off each dancer's individual prowess! It's all about rhythm, agility, and style! Just imagine dancing on the cobblestone streets with a partner, making grand gestures with hands and fanning oneself in an intricate ballet. Oh, the joy, darling, the absolute joy!
As I gallop back on Magic Meg towards my dear Derbyshire home, my thoughts are filled with a sense of gratitude. The world of dance, even in its early stages, was a dazzling spectacle. It showcased joy, grace, and an innate desire for expression. And even though we didn't have pink tutus in the 17th century, that doesn't mean we can't have them now, darlings! We can channel that spirit, that desire for graceful movement, and find ways to bring it all together in a dance revolution, don't you think?
So let us, together, spread the pink tutu love and let the joy of dance flow freely. After all, as my dear Louis XIV knew, dance is more than just an art, it's a universal language of emotions. Let us celebrate its beauty, its power, and its eternal allure!
Until next time, darling tutus!
Emma
P.S Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com and join the Pink Tutu Revolution! Let's make the world a more stylish and dance-filled place, one pink tutu at a time!
