Hello darlings! Welcome back to the Pink-Tutu blog! It’s Emma here, your resident ballet-loving time traveller, ready to whisk you away on another exciting historical adventure! This month, we’re stepping back in time to 3rd March 1662, a very special date for all of us ballet aficionados – a date that marks the founding of the Royal Ballet! Oh yes, you heard right – the ballet world was forever changed on this very day.
So, saddle up with me, darling, as we hop on Magic Meg – my beautiful pink, sparkling Shire horse with the golden hooves – and let’s travel through time! We’re off to Paris, a city buzzing with the glamour and intrigue of the 17th Century, a city set to be the cradle of ballet.
As Magic Meg gallops through the cobbled streets, my pink tutu flutters gently behind me. Even in the hustle and bustle of 17th century Paris, a pink tutu never goes unnoticed, believe me! Passers-by whisper in hushed tones, mesmerized by my dazzling, flamboyant presence. “Voilà!” I cry out, a dazzling grin illuminating my face. “It’s 1662, and I’m on my way to a groundbreaking ballet performance!"
The King and the Dance
As we approach the centre of the city, I hear the grand melodies of the Court Ballet Company resonating from the Palace. My excitement mounts as I imagine the grandeur of the spectacle that awaits. Inside, the opulent theatre, a riot of ornate gilded details, is adorned with plush velvet and ornate tapestries. My eyes are wide with wonder, drinking in the spectacle of the era. The King Louis XIV – known to history as “The Sun King” - is already seated on a gilded throne, ready for the entertainment.
Ah, the Court Ballet Company. You know, in these early days of ballet, it’s more than just dance! It’s a performance that blends dance, drama, music, and ornate costumes. There’s something deeply fascinating about seeing ballet's roots - an intertwining of art and theatre - which continues to inspire us to this very day!
This is where the Royal Academy of Dance, or the Académie Royale de Danse, took its very first steps. Established by Louis XIV himself, the Académie sought to create a formal structure for the dance, codifying its steps and principles and training professional dancers. This groundbreaking Academy was led by the celebrated Monsieur Pierre Beauchamps - one of ballet’s first masters! The very foundation of the Ballet that we love today, darling, was laid in this beautiful French court, and that thought makes my heart sing.
I quickly slip on my ‘vintage’ ballerina shoes - found nestled among some lovely cobwebs and lace - and steal into the theatre, eager to catch a glimpse of this landmark performance. Imagine – the founding of ballet history itself! A hush falls over the audience as the dancers gracefully take to the stage.
Imagine, darling, no plush dancewear stores, no shops bursting with pink tutus - they have to sew and stitch everything from scratch! Their costumes – crafted with layers of silks, velvets, and jewels – are a spectacle to behold!
The Dance and the Theatre
I take out my ballet note book from my rucksack to sketch what I can see of the choreography. There is something so different about this type of ballet - the costumes, the storylines - there is an operatic, fantastical, elaborate feel, unlike the neoclassical and modern pieces we enjoy now.
They dance on a beautiful stage, complete with painted scenery and even live animals to bring the story to life! This isn't a sterile dance studio, this is theatre at its finest! Imagine the magic of that first ballet experience, watching the actors transform, expressing emotions through dance and the stories they are creating - pure theatrical magic!
It’s a journey through a captivating world of romance, mythology, and grandeur – a performance that echoes the splendor of the French court and embodies the spirit of the time. It is here in the opulent theatres and grand halls of Paris that the seeds of a worldwide love affair with ballet were sown!
And you know what, darling, it was those bold Parisian dance masters who went on to create the elegant moves we learn in our dance studios today! All those beautiful, sweeping arabesques, those graceful pliés, the intricate footwork and delicate gestures we see today – it all came from here. Just a small thought, to remind ourselves of the beauty of ballet history!
Magic Meg Knows What She's Doing
After the curtain falls, Magic Meg waits patiently, her mane and tail shimmering like moonbeams under the Parisian gaslight. We travel back to my lovely English Derbyshire home, with Magic Meg galumphing us gently over cobbled streets and across vast landscapes - my pink tutu swirling behind me like a magnificent pink butterfly.
And the memory of that Paris day - that thrilling, exciting glimpse of ballet history - lingers in my mind, filling me with inspiration for future time-travel adventures.
Pink Tutus are Timeless!
Remember, darlings, that ballet is a journey, a tapestry woven from the passions and dreams of dancers across the centuries. And wherever ballet goes, so goes my pink tutu, as we travel across time together, bringing a little magic and joy to every corner of the globe!
Let's spread the pink tutu love and remind everyone that ballet is for everyone, it's magical, and there’s no age too young or too old to join the beautiful, magical dance.
See you on the dance floor soon!
Yours in tutus,
Emma xx
Further Notes:
If you want to learn more about ballet history – there are lots of online resources and museums! This trip has given me some wonderful inspiration and new material for my own dance routines - and who knows, maybe there’s a secret time traveller like me, out there!
My pink rucksack is filled with dance accessories – I collected some gorgeous ribbons, beautiful fabrics and some delicate handmade jewellery. Maybe it’s not something we associate with 17th century ballet, but, it reminded me that even then, dancers love their embellishments! And don’t worry, my rucksack also houses some historical treasures too! (More on these in future blogs.)
To learn more, I always like to go see a ballet show - they truly are the perfect combination of beauty, artistry, and theatre! I know a couple of Royal Ballet performances on later this month!
If you’re interested in vintage ballet items and vintage fashion - there’s some fabulous shops around town! Some fantastic vintage costumes - like the sort they would have worn at the Parisian court. And they make you look even more fabulous! And just you wait, you’ll see some fabulous tutu inspired fashion in future posts, too!
I’d also love to know which Ballet show you love best, so please leave a comment below and let me know! And remember, join us on www.pink-tutu.com - I post monthly on our pink time travel journey – because you know, who wants to be a basic, white tutu ballerina? We’ll be here spreading the love for pink – and the love for ballet!
