Hello, lovelies! Emma here, back from another delightful jaunt through time. As always, I'm ready to share the magic and whimsy of this month's time travel adventure, which, of course, included a beautiful, fluffy pink tutu and a dash of my favourite shade in every outfit. This month, we're going right back to January 1st, 1665, all the way to the heart of Paris, where we'll explore a ballet so elegant, it almost seems as if it's shimmering in pink!
Don't you love history? Especially when it's sprinkled with the elegant grace of ballet? Now, put on your most sparkly pink tutu, grab your favourite ballet slippers (mine are so sparkly, you'd swear they're filled with magic dust!), and settle in for a trip back to a time when ballet took its first graceful steps on the stage!
Let me introduce you to Magic Meg, my darling, time-travelling steed. Meg is a magnificent pink Shire horse, with a glossy coat that sparkles like a freshly sugared strawberry, and a mane and tail that cascade like the finest spun silk. Today, she's as excited as I am, prancing with a gentle energy that's only possible when you're about to embark on a magical time travel escapade. Her golden hooves click-clack on the cobblestones, creating a rhythm that reminds me of the beautiful music in a grand ballet.
Off we gallop, leaving Derbyshire's picturesque landscape behind. This time, I've loaded my leather rucksack with the most amazing ballet finds: an antique dance book with hand-drawn illustrations of French court dancing, a delicately beaded costume worn by a ballet dancer in the 16th century, and some beautiful examples of courtly ballet music written in an era that witnessed the very birth of the art form.
As we arrive in Paris, the air feels electrifying. Imagine, lovelies, a bustling, colourful, bustling city bursting with history and artistic brilliance! It's not the city we know today, but with every cobbled street and grand building, you can almost sense the spirit of the French court, so fond of entertainment and extravagance.
It's a beautiful, sunny day, perfect for a trip to the Palais Royal. This magnificent palace was once home to cardinals and royalty, but in the 17th century, it was also becoming a central hub for artistic activity.
I find myself at the very centre of this Parisian dance scene, on a January 1st that echoes with anticipation. You see, today is the very date, a glorious century ago, where Ballet de la Royne took the Parisian stage for the first time. It was an opulent production, created as a special tribute to the very influential Louis XIII's wife, Queen Anne of Austria!
Now, imagine the grandeur! The elegant palace, with its lavish decorations, the rustling silk of courtiers in the audience, the hushed anticipation before the curtain rises. And as it rises, imagine the spectacle! Dazzling costumes in shades of silver and gold, dance steps executed with precision and grace, music that pulsates with dramatic intensity – a performance unlike any other!
The Ballet de la Royne, a true landmark of ballet history, was a magnificent spectacle of the French court's passion for dance. It incorporated elaborate themes and story lines, lavish costumes and sets, all brought to life by a dazzling cast of dancers who mesmerised their audience with grace and skill.
The Ballet de la Royne marked the first step, literally and metaphorically, towards a ballet style that would soon dominate the world. It was a style where the focus shifted from storytelling through elaborate, intricate dance sequences to expressing a story with the art of individual movement.
Oh, wouldn’t it be lovely to have attended such a beautiful event? You know what I do? I imagine it. Close your eyes and listen to the music, imagine yourself gliding gracefully across the stage with every step imbued with elegance and passion. Picture the crowd mesmerized, their eyes lit with awe as you become one with the music, the movements, the spirit of the performance.
After a morning spent admiring the Ballet de la Royne, I venture through the vibrant Parisian streets, my leather rucksack already full of fascinating facts and beautiful, almost forgotten ballet treasures. I'm amazed at how Parisian society, particularly the aristocracy, celebrated their cultural love of the arts with such exuberance!
Later, we find ourselves wandering through the bustling market streets. The smell of freshly baked bread and cheeses wafts through the air, as do the aromas of vibrant flowers and spiced wines. I manage to squeeze in a little shopping, indulging in a few delicate pink satin ribbons and a truly magnificent coral necklace, a reminder of my adventure in 17th-century Paris.
But the day is still young! I don't forget my promise, and yes, I encourage everyone to try wearing a pink tutu! Imagine the chic ballet look you could achieve!
It’s already evening. Meg has her evening oats, and I have the tastiest warm croissant with honey and almonds. And my evening will include something quite special... You see, a few years after this momentous performance at the Palais Royal, the era of French court ballet reached its peak with another very important and innovative show. Ballet des Ballets. It was a dance performance created by Monsieur Beauchamps, a talented ballet master who brought to the stage some of the world's most incredible ballets. Monsieur Beauchamps, in my view, played a crucial role in pushing ballet as a dramatic art form and setting the foundations for the ballet we love today.
With this history firmly in my mind, we set off to a nearby square where, by chance, a group of street musicians have gathered, their instruments playing a piece of beautiful classical music. What a surprise to be greeted by a gentle melody that I later discovered was a composition written for the very first Ballet des Ballets. Oh, it makes me so happy, lovelies, to find my historical finds coming to life in this extraordinary way!
For a few moments, as the music wafts around me, I’m back at the Palais Royal, I'm witnessing the grace and elegance of the dancers, I’m experiencing a little piece of the excitement and exhilaration of a court performance, a performance that changed the future of dance, of ballet, of art itself!
And as the music ends, I feel a sense of completion. The day has been an exceptional trip into history, and even the bustling streets of Paris have become a ballet, the elegant sweep of a dancer’s hand reflected in the cobbled streets, the rhythm of the traffic becoming a subtle symphony, the grand buildings transforming into elaborate stage settings.
With that in mind, we jump back onto Magic Meg. A wave of pink sparkles follows us, swirling and shimmering as we race towards the next adventure, back to the comfort of Derbyshire.
I’m leaving you all with this little thought: It’s wonderful to delve into the world of ballet’s history and to realize how far our beloved art form has come. Every new step, every beautiful turn, every graceful pose is a story waiting to be told! And that story continues to unfold with each new generation of ballerinas and ballerinos.
Next month, we’re off to an incredible ballet adventure in 1700s Paris – a magical era of incredible artistry. I’ve heard that pink is a very important shade back then.
Keep wearing those pink tutus, darling! It is our fashion heritage!
Remember to visit the website www.pink-tutu.com and check in next month!
All the love, Emma x
