Hello lovelies! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where ballet is life and pink is the colour of dreams. This month, we're skipping through time, my dears, landing on 1st January 1667! Oh, what a whirlwind of history awaits! And wouldn't you know it, our arrival coincides with a date that practically pulsates with ballet magic!
Before we step back in time, I must tell you about Magic Meg, my loyal steed and fellow time traveller. You wouldn't believe her beauty – a pink, shimmering Shire horse with a flowing mane and tail the purest white, and golden hooves that could make even the most jaded shoe connoisseur weep with joy. She is absolutely divine, and the most perfect travel companion any tutu-clad ballerina could wish for!
And now, for this month’s adventures... 1667, my darlings! As you know, 1661 marked a turning point in dance history: King Louis XIV, the Sun King himself, established the Academie Royale de Danse, effectively putting the French at the forefront of the ballet world. And as if to announce his passion for the art form, a year later in 1662, Louis XIV debuted his most famous role - the sun god Apollo - in the ballet "Ballet de la Nuit" (The Ballet of the Night), proving once again that kings are the most passionate ballet fans in history!
Now, back to our 1st January date, 1667 – imagine my glee, my loves, when I discovered this marked the launch of the Academie's official Ballet School in Paris! A ballet school? Oh my, just the thought of that pink ballet studio, bustling with young aspiring dancers, is enough to make this ballerina blush! I’d absolutely adore attending this school! Imagine all the delicious pink ribbons and tutus to be found here – it’s a pink ballet paradise, if ever I saw one!
Naturally, the Ballet School played a crucial role in the development of ballet as an art form. It allowed students to hone their skills in dance, drama, and music – the fundamental pillars of this beautiful art! I, for one, love to see such emphasis on education.
So, as you can see, dear readers, our time travel journey takes us straight to the heart of ballet's beginnings in Paris, a city with a ballet spirit as passionate as any ballerina's. But that’s not all, my loves – it’s a trip to the cradle of classical ballet itself! You know me, I absolutely adore classic ballet, the beautiful graceful movements, and elegant steps. The fact that 1667 was the dawn of ballet's most celebrated style is simply delightful, isn't it?
On a different, yet just as thrilling note, I discovered that the first theatrical ballet ever performed in England, ‘The Siege of Rhodes’, debuted in 1656 – a whopping eleven years before our time travel date! That’s truly mind-blowing, isn't it? I mean, imagine watching the very first theatre production with dance elements – it must have been magical, and probably involved much more dramatic flourishes and theatrical flair than today! Just picture this, my loves: the audience agape as they witness the beginning of ballet in England, and here we are, almost a century and a half later, with pink tutus still ruling the world!
On a purely fashionable note, did you know that by 1667, women were wearing elaborately decorated and frilly attire, adorned with lace and ribbon? Just like us modern girls, those ladies were all about showing off a good silhouette, accentuating the body in those elegant "long waists" and "flowing skirts" which look a bit like ballet costumes! Honestly, the more I read, the more I feel the ballet connection! Even in fashion history, my love for ballet shows!
Speaking of ballet performances, can you believe the amount of fun you can have during this era? Not only can we be present at the dawn of the Paris Ballet School, we can catch a performance at the Theatre Royale in London too! It's the very place where ‘The Siege of Rhodes’ first enchanted audiences! Oh, my loves, what a historical treat – it's a tutu time traveler's dream! You’ve got to admit, history's truly a treasure trove for us pink tutu enthusiasts!
But I know what you’re thinking – wouldn't it have been brilliant if we could go shopping for those wonderful costumes! Just imagine that vintage ballet fashion haul, oh my goodness – those are my true dreams! While I didn't get to see any of those elaborate costumes from a hundred years ago, it's something I'll make happen next time.
What else has captured my heart on this journey, my loves? I discovered a fabulous new dancer - Mademoiselle La Fontaine, who debuted in 1662, a star with a "grand pirouette" that took the Paris scene by storm! What a beautiful name too! She certainly sounds like a real tutu darling. Oh my! How I adore those legendary dancers from the past! Imagine them performing on stage in 1667, moving to the sound of live music – such beautiful scenes of ballet's beginnings! I wish they were still around, I’d invite them to my pink ballet parties in Derbyshire! Oh, what a treat that would be!
This 1st January 1667 trip was full of surprises, wasn't it? And if you’ve missed any of these adventures or simply want to dive back into our time travel log, my blog has a huge archive of exciting travel adventures. Just click on www.pink-tutu.com for more fabulous adventures with this tutu enthusiast, and until next month, happy time travelling, my loves, and always remember - keep the pink alive, wherever you go!
See you in April,
Your Tutu Travelling Companion,
Emma
Post #73
This post is number 73 in Emma's blog. She writes her blog once a month on www.pink-tutu.com and she collects the money to pay for her travel adventures by doing dance performances.
