#BalletHistory during 1664 11 November

Hello darlings, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels! It's Emma here, your favourite Derbyshire ballerina and time traveller extraordinaire. Now, this month, I’m whisking us back to the 11th of November 1664, and trust me, you'll be utterly enchanted by this historical gem.

As I've said before, time travel is a wonderful opportunity to connect with ballet's past. We can see the roots of our modern dances and get lost in the elegance of days gone by! So hop onto the back of Magic Meg, my sparkly shire horse, and get ready to explore. We’re in for a truly fascinating trip back to a time of absolute ballet bonanza!

On this very day, back in 1664, France was buzzing! That’s right, the world of ballet was exploding! And the heart of it all? The beautiful, beautiful King Louis XIV.

Think of it, this flamboyant King - a true pioneer of dance! It's his royal decree which we're about to encounter! It was on this very day that the "Académie Royale de Danse" - or Royal Academy of Dance - was officially formed, launching ballet into a whole new era. The stage, my darlings, was truly set!

Now, we know about ballet before 1664. There was the majestic dances at Court and, of course, the incredible "Ballet de Cour," with all its elegance and grandeur. But Louis XIV, he changed everything! This wasn’t just about dainty footwork for royalty anymore. He understood the true power of ballet – the artistic expression, the athleticism, and the beauty of a theatrical performance.

Think about it, even his famous, well, legendary "Sun King" moniker was inspired by the graceful sun god Apollo! Isn't that just too lovely?

But it's not just the Royal Academy that was a major ballet milestone on the 11th of November 1664. On that same day, Louis XIV went a step further! His big royal gesture? He created a ballet company, complete with salaried dancers, dedicated specifically to performance. What a wonderful and ambitious idea!

Suddenly, dancing wasn’t just for the aristocracy! It wasn't just a special occasion activity. It was now an art form worthy of being displayed and enjoyed by all. This decree officially established a professional ballet company - a group of highly skilled and devoted performers! It marked a real shift in how ballet was viewed - from something only royalty could participate in to a full-fledged performance art! It opened up doors to creativity and performance possibilities like never before.

The world, you see, was getting ready for some grand, awe-inspiring ballets. Louis XIV’s initiative paved the way for the captivating shows we see on stage today, from The Nutcracker to Swan Lake. I know you adore these ballets just as much as I do!

Now, I just had to show off the sheer loveliness of the "Académie Royale de Danse"! My dearest friend, the head of the Paris ballet archive, was so sweet to share the beautifully illustrated documents - the original royal decrees!

My dear pink leather rucksack is absolutely stuffed with fascinating documents. The official document declaring the birth of the Royal Academy is so beautiful! There's the royal coat of arms – a swirling pattern of fleur-de-lis – it's all very grand and elegant, very "King Louis."

Then there are the first, the very first “royal lists" of dancer’s names. I had to make my little notes, like “ Pierre Beauchamps - ‘Le grand danseur’! I just couldn't resist noting all the wonderful details, even his nickname! The details are incredible - his full name, what role he performed - even his costume, how many times a month he danced, how much he was paid! These lists – it's the first glimpse into a professional ballet world. I bet those ballerinos, even back then, were excited to wear beautiful, colourful, and elaborate costumes, weren't they?

Just imagine all the exquisite tutus being made and worn. Imagine those wonderful dancers - all ready to dance. That royal Academy, I have to tell you, it was just buzzing with creative energy! Ballet wasn't just a performance; it was a whole world!

Now, imagine my utter joy as I stood, just imagine me in my most lovely pink tulle tutu and little pink ballet shoes - I really felt like a little princess! It's funny, even back in 1664, you wouldn’t catch me out of a tutu, but maybe it’s a good thing – I wasn't seen as out of place! The Academy’s official records are still housed within the “Bibliotheque Nationale”, a majestic library, where I even found the beautiful "Theatrum Orbis Terrarum", a detailed, ancient atlas! This was even signed by the incredible Nicholas Mercator, just like the one back in my own home library!

You see, in my little leather satchel, I bring my own time-travelling must-haves - a leather-bound copy of the Theatrum Orbis Terrarum, my sketchpad to capture all the architectural inspiration and the most delicious pink ballet pencils you could imagine! I like to keep my ballet essentials and stories about the time period safe! The beauty of ballet has always inspired me. I love seeing the stunning costumes, the intricate dance routines, and the overall atmosphere of every performance I see!

From there, it was a brisk walk to “Rue de Bac.” My heart simply couldn't wait for that exquisite walk – down the same cobbled lanes – the same paths as some of history's most incredible ballet performers! Just imagine the dancers, and even King Louis himself, going for strolls in the same beautiful, cobbled streets that Magic Meg and I took. They must have seen all the incredible shops too.

One of the most captivating ballet fashion features of the era was the elaborate costumes, full of flowing fabrics, glittering trimmings and stunning colours. Just picture my favourite dancers twirling in majestic velvet and silk with shimmering gems on their shoes, elegant powdered wigs and all that incredible theatre make up. How could any dance enthusiast not love that? Just beautiful. My notes are overflowing with costume details and ideas for my next pink tutu creation!

It's really no wonder ballet started making its way onto the stage. In 1664, in France and everywhere, it was such a theatrical spectacle to watch.

You know, we forget how vital those historical stages were. There is just a certain magic that happened in those beautifully constructed theatre spaces! Think of those dancers performing with that same sense of artistic ambition! Their skills and techniques, those intricate ballet routines – it's incredible! Even today, it takes real dedication and passion. Imagine a ballerina performing at King Louis’s court! Those elegant dances, the grace, the skill - it takes real stamina. But those were times where ballet became a real show – just the right balance of elegance and the athleticism. The French ballet was absolutely blooming with innovative energy. Ballet, you see, is a performance of art.

I did have to give Magic Meg a break from the busy city life of Paris. My next destination was the serene, tranquil village of Chateauneuf – the birthplace of Marie Sallé - “the most wonderful ballerina, “ that’s what they used to say back in the 17th century. It is an absolute ballet mecca! There, in the ancient records, I found a tiny, delicate little porcelain figurine – a replica of a tutu Marie Sallé performed in – and my goodness, it's a ballet masterpiece! Marie Sallé had the most creative vision. It's amazing how she took on different roles in ballets – everything from noble figures to deities to the most ordinary villagers! You see, my darling friends, it’s these wonderful ballerinas who make ballet what it is – beautiful, elegant, and powerful, it just touches you deep in your soul!

If you follow me, you’ll know how I just adore the theatricality and performance side of ballet. Now that’s just a tiny part of this beautiful dance form. There is another ballet form I adore – ballet in street performances! Just seeing all the talented ballet dancers in the street - sharing their passion and artistry. That’s what gives me so much energy and happiness. You know I've shared this with you all before – my vision, my aim, my love – that you too can enjoy a ballet world of tutus! Imagine just wearing a gorgeous pink tutu for a ballet performance or just popping out for a lovely street performance! You might even meet another ballerina with a tutu! I’m here to help you embrace ballet – and tutus too.

Of course, to get you on the path to the wonderful world of tutus and ballet – let’s begin! You have the “Ballet basics – the little steps”! I know the first time you’re learning about dance – it can seem quite daunting, and the steps, well they can seem like a bit of a secret code!

Now, don’t be put off! You’ve got this! First up, you can use a mirror at home, it’s not as scary as you think. Now, remember, every ballerinas starts somewhere, like me, in your bedroom, with a tiny tutu. It’s great for warm-ups! You just follow my basic ballet steps, and it’s a lovely and exciting way to find your love for ballet! It’s as simple as that – practice, dance and you’re off! And don't forget, always keep smiling, darling, that's the true secret ingredient to great ballet.

This month I have an incredible online tutorial - for the perfect pink tutu – so that you can start on your own ballet journey, my ballet lovelies. I'll show you step by step, how you can create the perfect, most lovely pink tutu that's perfectly fitting for every single ballet occasion, whether you're taking part in ballet performances at the theatre, on the streets or maybe just enjoying a spot of ballet in your own living room, the most wonderful, theatrically creative ballet journey of a lifetime awaits! I promise you.

And don't forget, I will be touring to every corner of the planet, my darlings, bringing a ballet party – for all – from my gorgeous little, sparkly, shir-horse Magic Meg’s, back to your neighbourhood. I will be sharing all the fabulous stories and the fun!

Do check back with my next blog next month, on pink-tutu.com, for even more fun, magic and a bit of pink tutu time travelling, where I will share some amazing ballet events from all the great eras of the past! So keep your eyes peeled and your tutus ready. And if you do end up rocking a pink tutu, be sure to tag me – it really makes my heart dance!

Until then, let the tutu and your love for ballet always shine through, you magical creatures! I love you and I can’t wait to see you dancing next month.

All my ballet love.

Emma.