Post Number 36
Hello, darlings! It’s Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller! This month, I’ve had a fabulous time flitting about in the past, and I’m so excited to share with you all about my journey back to 12th December 1663! The date? You may wonder why? Well, hold onto your tutus, because this is when something HUGE happened in the world of ballet: The very first professional ballet school in the world opened in Paris, France! 🎉
Now, imagine Paris in 1663. The cobbled streets are bustling with carriages, ladies in elegant gowns, and gentlemen with powdered wigs. The air is alive with the sound of lute music and laughter. And amidst this vibrant scene, something special was unfolding at the prestigious Academie Royale de Danse. This was a whole new level of professional training, designed to produce dancers who could truly captivate the court with their artistry and technique!
My trip back to 1663 began, as always, with Magic Meg. You know her, my beautiful pink-sparkling Shire horse with golden hooves and a magnificent white mane and tail! It was an absolute thrill galloping through time on her back, feeling the wind in my hair and the joy of adventure filling me up!
I arrived at the Academie Royale de Danse just as it was beginning to come to life for the day. The air was filled with a gentle, rhythmic beat – a melody of taps on the wooden floor and the hushed murmur of instruction from the esteemed teachers. They were teaching aspiring ballerinas and ballerinos the newest dances from Italy! Can you imagine?! It was all about courtly elegance, precise steps, and beautiful formations - what we call classical ballet today!
I've even collected some old ballet scores from that time – such intricate patterns and movements! And my dear Magic Meg – bless her heart, she helped me gather the very first, original “ballet shoes”, made of leather and canvas! They’re tucked safely away in my leather rucksack.
The beauty of ballet back in this period wasn't all about rigorous technique though, it was a mix of theatre, music and storytelling – the full performance experience! And yes, dear readers, even in the 17th century, people went wild for their ballet stars! Just imagine – it was like being at a theatre show – the gowns, the elaborate stage sets, the music – everything! They even wore masks to play characters – quite like the opera in Italy!
You see, before this Academie Royale de Danse was founded, ballet was more like entertainment in a courtly setting. But this school created a whole new structure for training professional dancers who were going to grace stages across France, even Europe! It’s mind-blowing!
During my time in Paris, I took in a ballet performance at the Palais-Royal – imagine – royalty! The audience, decked out in their finery, were simply captivated! I loved the dances and the gorgeous gowns the dancers wore. Their grace and poise, their effortless turns, the storytelling that moved my soul - it’s a magic I never tire of!
You know, in my blog, I’ve talked a lot about how ballet can transcend time and culture, and in Paris in 1663, this was so clear. The French loved their dancing – it was a way of life! There was something deeply captivating about the elegance and skill on show, and the stories that were told through these beautiful movements. It’s just beautiful!
Back in my own time, here in Derbyshire, I’ve been thinking about all this history and about the ways in which ballet has evolved since that day in 1663. From the early courts to the big theatres of the 20th century – we've travelled such a journey, but one thing stays true: ballet’s a journey of self-expression and its message of grace, resilience and beauty shines through!
Now, this month, I want you to think about those early ballerinas – their passion and dedication to a form of dance that would grow into the art form we adore today. Remember them when you’re at your next ballet class, when you see a ballet performance, or even when you’re simply twirling in your own pink tutu!
Don’t forget to visit my blog – www.pink-tutu.com to read my posts, share your own pink tutu moments, and join the revolution to get everyone wearing a pink tutu! Until next time, darlings! Remember, life’s too short not to dance!
With love, Emma 🩰💖
