Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels, where we journey through history, one twirl at a time! This month, I'm whisking us all the way back to June 1667, and I'm positively brimming with excitement, for this particular date holds a rather special significance in the world of ballet, even if it wasn't yet called ballet at that time!
But before we dive into the exciting discoveries that await us, let me introduce you to my trusty companion, Magic Meg! Meg is a magnificent pink sparkling shire horse with a mane and tail as white as fresh snow and golden hooves. She's as sweet as can be and my perfect time travel partner. Today, Meg's dazzling coat is perfectly coordinated with my gorgeous new pink tutu, which I specially chose for this trip! A lovely shade of rose pink with a smattering of sequins, it truly brings out my inner princess. (Did you see that matching feather boa? A new acquisition from my recent shopping trip in London!)
So, on we go, galloping back through time, leaving the humdrum of present-day Derbyshire behind. This time, we're aiming for the heart of the French court â it's 1667, and you wouldn't believe what's happening in the world of ballet. Well, not ballet exactly⊠yet! This time, we're exploring a beautiful court dance form that's just about to revolutionise the way the world dances!
But before we dive in, let me grab my leather rucksack. I can't travel through time without collecting a few treasured relics and fascinating stories along the way, right? This month's collection? Ooh, let me just pull out these gorgeous illustrations⊠See this? A drawing of the most splendid dance that took place at the French court in celebration of King Louis XIV's birthday! They're calling it "ballet de cour" - the ballet of the court - but I think they've just stumbled upon the beginnings of ballet as we know it.
Just imagine a time when you were considered lucky enough to be included in a royal spectacle where dancers would express the story of the King through the art of dance! What a concept! These ballet de cour events were so lavish, with sets and costumes and, of course, the dancing! You see, I've brought back an old copy of a play written about the event â La Princesse d'Elide - a story of adventure and romance performed with elegance and grace.
Now, remember that King Louis XIV, also known as the "Sun King", was a huge lover of all things beautiful. And his passion? You guessed it â dancing! In fact, this time we're seeing him not only as King, but as a dancer himself! Now, this must be the birth of the star dancer, don't you think? Here he is, performing the first âBallet de Courâ on this very day, June 16th, 1667, as the leading character. Oh my, the King dancing alongside beautiful, talented female dancers in shimmering costumes... I'm getting goosebumps!
In these early dances, they moved more gracefully, paying close attention to steps and elegance, and as we travelled further back in time, I discovered they actually focused on the expression of the characters and the beauty of the movements, not on technical skills as we do today. The stories that emerged from this form of dance - tales of knights and damsels, brave heroes and romantic loves - have shaped ballet even today. Just think of the incredible, heartfelt narratives in our modern ballets, and think of this day as their origin!
Speaking of stories, I saw this extraordinary dress! Silk, shimmering fabric, itâs absolutely divine and fit for a princess, in colours of violet and gold with elaborate, delicate embroidery! They must have spent hours and hours creating that stunning outfit! So regal, so elegant, it made me want to burst into dance, even though I couldnât find any other dancers willing to join in. Oh, I'm just dying to twirl in it myself!
It's amazing, don't you think? It's truly enchanting to think how, on this very day so long ago, a new dance style took its first steps into the world! A world without ballet? It's unimaginable! But imagine those incredible women! Their confidence, their talent, their sheer joy in dancing! This world is brimming with stories, just waiting to be danced!
Now, for todayâs pink tutu tip! If you want to add a touch of old-world charm to your outfits, why not go for a beautiful, shimmering, silk-like material? If you can't find silk, opt for a nice satin fabric or something that drapes well and shines softly â Iâm dreaming of dancing a beautiful French ballet de cour in an incredible pink tutu made of silk. Perhaps a bit of golden embroidery? I must find something like this in a vintage store!
I have so much to show you, but Iâm running out of time and need to ride back on Magic Megâs back to the present. Until next time, stay glamorous, my dear readers, and donât forget, âLife is too short for boring shoesâ!
Oh, and I almost forgot! Before I go, there is something new for my loyal readers to do - to keep you inspired between trips and encourage you to look deeper into balletâs past:
I have prepared a new #pinktutuchallenge â visit a local library or museum and see if they have historical ballet records. You might find original manuscripts of ballet plays! And remember to document your discoveries by adding your stories to our shared database online at www.pink-tutu.com! Letâs build a community of history-loving ballet enthusiasts!
Iâm always so happy to share this journey with you, and next month weâll continue our dance through the centuries!
Au revoir for now, and Happy Dancing!
P.S: I am busy preparing for a spectacular performance next week at the local theatre â Swan Lake, with an emphasis on pink tutus! This means that I'm currently busy practicing my leaps and pirouettes. However, my lovely aunt is helping with the preparations and will upload new stories and exciting news while I'm busy perfecting my grand jetĂ©s!
Love,
Emma
