Hello lovelies, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels! It's Emma here, your resident ballet-obsessed time traveller, and I'm absolutely bursting with excitement to share this month's journey with you! This time, we're soaring back to February 2nd, 1664 - buckle up, because this is one fabulous trip you won't want to miss!
As usual, my trusty steed Magic Meg, my dazzling pink Shire horse with a golden mane and hooves (she's positively radiant!) was waiting patiently at the stables. I threw my sparkly pink tutu, lovingly adorned with shimmering sequins, over my floral-patterned, fitted dress, fastened my trusty leather rucksack on my back and was off! With a gentle pat and a whispered “Come on, girl, we've got a time-hopping ballet journey to conquer!" Meg galloped off into the starry night, a whirlwind of pink and gold leaving a glittering trail of magic in its wake.
Our arrival in 17th-century France was... unexpected. The streets were cobbled and muddy, the buildings were quaint, and a lively crowd was gathering outside a theatre. There was something familiar in the air – the intoxicating mix of anticipation, music, and whispered excitement. The grand edifice, boasting elegant arches and ornate decorations, had a "ballet-themed" vibe about it. I could tell it was going to be good.
I trotted Meg into the stable attached to the theatre. After securing her with a sweet bunch of oats, I slipped on a discreet little brown coat over my pink tutu. It's all about blending in, darling! Who knows what the fashion world is like in this era?
I knew right away it had to be a ballet theatre, the building just exuded elegance, with exquisite carvings adorning the façade, hinting at a story to unfold within. My ballet senses tingled. I was about to witness a moment in time that would weave its way into the very fabric of ballet history, and I, well, I was simply positively giddy with excitement!
I entered the grand hall. The warm air smelled of wood polish and anticipation, while the sound of music drifted from the stage, carried on the hushed whispers of the eager crowd. They were in fine finery – ladies in vibrant gowns, their bodices tightly laced, with feathered hats perched on elaborate hairstyles; men in powdered wigs and richly patterned suits. I loved the elegant fashion, the extravagance, the attention to detail! But my eye was instantly drawn to the stage, for this was the night ballet was truly born in France!
That's right, my lovelies! On February 2nd, 1664, the King's Academy of Music held its very first performance of ballet, which consisted of L’Académie Royale de Musique.
Before this time, ballet wasn't the elaborate artform it is today. There were small dances incorporated into court celebrations and spectacles, but nothing like this. It wasn't until Jean-Baptiste Lully, a captivating French composer and dancer, took centre stage with a full-scale ballet – a work that combined elaborate music, impressive choreography, stunning costumes and theatrical artistry – that we truly saw the birth of this graceful and captivating artform as we know it.
From the audience, the theatre seemed alive with vibrancy, each note of Lully's composition washing over me. I imagined the feeling of excitement and anticipation, and how those who witnessed it that night could never have predicted just how influential it would become. What a moment, a landmark in history! This little, almost unrecorded event was the very beginning of the majestic ballet as we know it, giving birth to a beautiful form of art that continues to enchant, mesmerise and move us, generations later.
You know what I love about this, darling? There are only five ballet schools worldwide today that can claim to be older than Lully's Academy of Music - one of those is still based here in France, but the others are spread right across the globe, showcasing the sheer magic and enduring influence of ballet in the world! We really are an international family of ballerinas!
The stage was illuminated with a multitude of shimmering candle lights, the only source of illumination in the darkness of that hall. The costumes, though elegant and flowing, were more about the design of the era, compared to what we see today - not tutus as we know them!
It is not just the elegance of ballet itself, but also the fashion of ballet, which I love! These ladies wore elaborate panniers, perfectly contrasting against their satin and silk gowns. The colours, rich reds and golds and blues. A gorgeous ensemble. I tried to blend in as best I could - keeping my lovely pink tutu out of sight. It was important that I observe, to understand, not to be noticed!
It's fascinating to see how the fashion evolved over time, becoming the elegant ballerina-specific fashion that we adore today. In my last blog, we were just starting to see dancers with long, graceful dresses, much more dramatic and theatrical. Lully's ballet was no different - the stage seemed alive with movement, the colours rich and vibrant, reflecting the court life of that time. The movement wasn’t quite like the technical grace we see today, it was a more "fluid, courtly and intricate" approach to dancing. There was less emphasis on “pliés”, for example.
Imagine all the stories, the costumes and the historical gems that I have tucked away in my trusty backpack. It’s almost time for me to fly back to my time. It’s always a joy to observe the art, and then to return to my life in the present day, knowing I've seen such beautiful things! But of course, this journey couldn't be complete without a new addition to my collection. And today? A rare programme from this historical performance, now proudly gracing my rucksack! I plan to use it as inspiration to make my very own vintage tutu to wear in my next ballet class, with some carefully crafted additions and the tiniest sparkle, it’ll be fabulous!
You can see from this journey that even the most iconic of artforms start somewhere - a first performance, an inspirational teacher or dancer. I think, darling, it’s safe to say that ballet's journey is not one of linear progress but a swirling evolution of dance. Each performance and dancer contributes to the magnificent story that we call “ballet”!
Well, it's time to head back to Derbyshire. Thank you for joining me on this delightful, historical journey. Remember to keep an eye out for all things ballet and never be afraid to embrace your own pink tutu spirit! And don't forget to visit us next month for the next Pink Tutu Time Travels adventure - it's going to be another wild ride!
