Hello my lovelies! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com. I'm Emma, your resident tutu-wearing time traveler, and this month we're hopping on Magic Meg's back and heading to the glittering world of 1662, to Paris, for the grand premiere of the world’s very first ballet. I know, I know, exciting right? So, grab your pinkest tutus, girls, and let's dive into this little slice of ballet history.
The date? 11 November 1662. The place? The Parisian Palais-Royal (still standing today, by the way! I recommend checking it out if you ever get the chance to visit Paris). The event? The debut of the Royal Academy of Dance, a revolutionary new artistic company brought to life by the brilliant King Louis XIV, also known as the Sun King. Now, I'm no expert in kings and queens (though I did once sneak into a Shakespeare play where Queen Elizabeth was making a surprise appearance, more about that another time!) but even I know Louis XIV loved his art and spectacle.
I’m feeling particularly glamorous this month because 1662 was all about opulence! The royal court was filled with colourful velvet gowns and extravagant wigs. Can you imagine? This was like a ballet-lover’s dream, a festival of movement and beauty. Now, this is not the traditional tutu ballet you think of. This is ballet comique, which involved music, dance, song, poetry, and even machines! Oh, and the performers weren’t just your average ballet dancers either; these were actors, singers, and dancers all rolled into one, performing in stories that blended together music, spectacle, and dance. The sheer range and artistry are just breathtaking. I could imagine it all now: elegant performers swirling in luxurious costumes while dazzling music fills the air, and perhaps a few shimmering fairies (or rather, elegantly disguised dancers, as there weren't really any flying fairies, alas) sprinkling some magic dust.
For the ballet-lovers amongst you (and trust me, you’ll see some amazing dancers as we travel), the heart of this early ballet is what’s known as l’entreé, a choreographed, often solo dance, and a prelude (that's basically a mini-ballet performance) that introduced the play itself. The performance itself was an opera ballet, a tale that featured dancing alongside drama. Oh, to be a fly on the wall in that magnificent Parisian theater! But it’s not just the dance, it’s the history of this early form of ballet which makes it such a thrilling experience. Imagine watching the foundation of something so beautiful, something that has brought so much joy to countless generations of dance-lovers around the world, come to life before your eyes. It’s pretty awe-inspiring, don’t you think?
Of course, I always manage to find some fabulous pink pieces from each time period to add to my collection in my leather backpack (which is actually older than Magic Meg; she’s much more stylish these days, let me tell you). This month I was lucky to grab a silk pink ribbon from the very ball gown worn by one of the Royal Academy dancers in the opening act of their first ballet. Can you believe that?! Not just any ribbon, but a ribbon with history, touched by the first generations of ballerinas! And it will perfectly compliment the pink feathers I managed to nab on the sleeve of a dancer's costume at the Shakespearean play I saw last month - oh, you’ve got to see what my feather collection is like, it’s out of this world, let me tell you!
But this wasn’t all, no! Remember that fabulous pink tutu I was telling you about last month? Well, this month, while in Paris, I stumbled upon the most divine, luxurious shop in the most fashionable street of all in Paris, rue Saint-Honoré, a street of great shops and Parisian chic and sophistication. You’ll never believe what I discovered nestled between the jewels and fine hats: the most delicate lace tutu imaginable! In pink, of course. Just my style! Imagine this: silk and delicate, exquisite, delicate ruffles in the most stunning pink you’ve ever seen. It took a huge chunk out of my performance earnings, but trust me, it was an investment, it’s my most fabulous purchase ever! This Parisian find is simply beyond words.
The great thing about time travel is the opportunity to see how the fashion and art world evolves. It’s amazing to see where styles begin and then to watch them transform across centuries, to understand the movement, the trends, and of course, to gather even more inspiration for my very own collection. If only they had ballerina shoes then. We can’t even talk about a pink ballerina shoe back then, oh my, my love for pink is starting to be a mission in my life! Pink tutu everywhere I go… my dream, my hope. Maybe I should start in my home county, Derbyshire? I've already started designing my own collection, and I am ready to show Derbyshire the pinkest tutu collection they have ever seen! I mean, we need more tutus, don’t you think? So, for now, you can always catch my performance at Derby Theatre on Friday nights – that's where I earn the money for my magical adventures on Magic Meg's back. Do come down to see me! Who knows, maybe you might even inspire the next pink tutu masterpiece?
And for those of you in London, look out for a little known ballet show in London on 11 November: The Sadler’s Wells theatre presents 'Les petits enfants’ (the small children), an ensemble performance inspired by those early Paris ballet groups, with stunning costumes in vibrant hues! What could be more pink, perfect, and time-travel-friendly?!
Remember to check back here every month, and keep checking back on the www.pink-tutu.com website to join me on my magical adventures in time and tutus! Until next time!
Emma
