Hello my darling ballet bunnies! It's Emma here, your Pink Tutu Time Traveller! Welcome to another fabulous journey through the world of ballet!
This month, my lovely Meg and I galloped all the way back to September 9th, 1663. I do love a good historical mystery, and the 17th century held a rather special one for me!
Oh, you're wondering where I got the idea to time travel to 1663? Well, it's all about finding the magic in dates, you see!
1663 – Why that's the year that Monsieur Lully, that dashing French composer, established the Académie Royale de Musique in Paris! Imagine, a school dedicated to music, dancing and drama! You know me, I love all things creative!
Now, let’s just say, Meg, my pink, sparkly shire horse, with her golden hooves and beautiful white mane and tail, loved the idea. She just needed a new set of saddlebags for the extra items I wanted to bring home. So, of course, I was happy to indulge her and grab a stunning new set in a luxurious blush pink – it matched my tutu perfectly! I knew we'd need extra space for all the glorious ballet stories we were about to discover.
As I pulled back my leather rucksack, ready to be filled with magical memories, I imagined all the ballet delights we’d find. What would dancers wear? What were they dancing? And most importantly, was there even any pink in their wardrobes?! (I can't imagine life without a touch of pink, can you?)
I felt the familiar rush of energy as Meg and I launched through time, arriving right at the doors of this new school of music and dance. Imagine, my dears, being there at the very beginning of what became known as the Paris Opera!
It’s all very well establishing an academy but what actually happens in these academies, and was it anything like the academies of today? How would I fit in with my lovely, frilly pink tutu? Well, dear readers, there was a delightful surprise awaiting us...
While ballet was starting to take root in France, the dances were much more stately and courtly than the intricate movements we're accustomed to today. Imagine a mix of graceful promenades and ceremonial gestures with the occasional leaps and turns - just like those stunning ballets in the court of Louis XIV, a ballet master extraordinaire himself, who adored ballet. And here’s the truly fabulous bit – they had a troupe of professional dancers, but it was mixed with singers and actors too! Imagine a multi-talented bunch all under one roof. Oh, how I yearned to see their costumes, their performances, everything!
To tell you the truth, this was ballet in its most fabulous early stages - so elegant, so intriguing, and very unlike the ballets we have come to love today! They still incorporated folk dances, and the courtly, elaborate manner of Louis XIV, so elegant and refined, had definitely inspired a special type of dancing.
However, one thing was a little upsetting for a pink tutu loving ballerina like myself. Sadly, these early days weren't as bursting with the lovely, soft hues of pink as I might have liked. It was all a bit austere and more about lavish gold and jewel tones, quite unlike the glorious pinks of our time. Still, my time travel adventures teach me that the joy of dance transcends fashion - we have so much to celebrate and cherish!
Now, before I go, my darling bunnies, I must share with you some little extra touches I picked up about ballet history during my time travel in 1663...
Did you know?
Ballet was all about drama, even from its very beginnings. It’s no coincidence that a ballet school popped up in conjunction with an opera house! We can all see this drama, these captivating stories, unfolding before us, as it was born from French classical dance - how thrilling, isn't it?!
While it’s so much fun to dance in pink and glitter, it turns out dancers used to wear practical footwear. In fact, it seems they danced in sandals or plain leather slippers with ribbons wrapped around their legs - nothing at all like my darling ballet slippers, although I'm sure a beautiful, vibrant pink leather ballet slipper would have been exquisite!
The Académie Royale de Musique became the prestigious Paris Opera. Can you believe that in all of these centuries it continues to inspire such spectacular performances and ballerinas?!
Now, my dearies, my pink tutu wardrobe is overflowing with memories from this time, all thanks to my incredible journey. But remember, if you're ever looking for a dash of inspiration, ballet history is your guide! There’s a story tucked into each time period waiting to be uncovered! Until next time, my darling ballet bunnies! Remember, the world of ballet is always brimming with magic!
Happy dancing! Emma xoxo
P.S. Have a look at my newest ballet shop for everything pink. A new pink tutu range arrives every month so check out my shop regularly at www.pink-tutu.com
