Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels, your monthly dose of ballet history and pink-tastic adventures. I'm your guide, Emma, and this month I'm whisking us away to a Parisian ballet performance!
As always, my faithful steed, Magic Meg, and I have been busy planning our adventure. Sheâs looking absolutely magnificent, donât you think? That shimmering pink coat just calls out for a waltz! And yes, my darling readers, I'm sporting a fabulous new pink tutu. Just imagine, a glorious pink with an underlay of shimmering silk, like a cloud of candy floss, perfect for a grand tour! You can find my fabulous pink creations here, or browse the stunning selections in the ballet shop on www.pink-tutu.com, of course!
Anyway, enough about the clothes, let's talk ballet! Itâs March 3rd, 1668, and today's date holds a special place in the history of dance. Today, we're stepping back in time to the Palais Royal in Paris, where Louis XIV, our beloved Sun King, was gracing a performance by a troupe called La Royalle AcadĂ©mie de Musique. They were dancing a ballet de cour, and trust me, darlings, it was a sight to behold!
Now, these ballets de cour, unlike our ballets today, werenât strictly about dance. They were spectacular extravaganzas featuring a mix of singing, acting, music, and elaborate set designs. And guess what, darlings? One of the performers that day was Pierre Beauchamp, considered the father of ballet! This gentleman was so brilliant he developed the five ballet positions that we still use today. Can you imagine creating something so iconic, darling?
Now, I wonât spoil the show for you. This performance, "Les Amours des Dieux", tells a complex tale of mythical characters, battles, and love, much like our favourite operas. There are nymphs, satyrs, goddesses, gods, and even some magic! To be honest, a few parts of it were rather confusing! But the beauty of it all? The costume! Picture a glorious world of shimmering satin, feather-light gauze, and decadent jewels. Youâve never seen such splendour! My pack is already filled with exquisite details to share on my blog, for you dears!
But back to this fabulous academy, the La Royalle AcadĂ©mie de Musique. This was the first professional ballet company, and their performances were the talk of the town! You wouldnât believe the crowds that came flocking, it felt like all of Paris wanted a glimpse of their magnificent costumes!
Donât think, darlings, for a second that these were easy performances. Rehearsals were strict, the dancers, most of whom were trained in fencing, and other military activities, took the stage for two hours with no rest! Even Louis XIV took to the stage occasionally and showed off his own dancing skills! Oh my darling! Wouldnât that be just amazing?! Imagine if the royal family joined in at a Royal Opera House performance! But back to our Parisian dancers, with such challenging roles itâs little wonder their repertoire has evolved into what we enjoy today!
And wouldnât you know it, darlings? Ballet was such a big deal at the time that the whole thing was recorded by Pierre Beauchamp, documented in a handwritten book with beautiful illustrations, known as the âBallet de la Royalle.â Isn't it just amazing, darlings? We have such amazing legacies to be proud of in ballet. And of course, all these stories from this extraordinary time period will be shared with you dear readers! It will be on our website www.pink-tutu.com very soon. Do you know what? I feel that a ballet fashion special inspired by Beauchamp's âBallet de la Royalleâ is needed!
And remember darlings, while you're enjoying all things pink and ballet, always embrace the pink! The pink of dreams! And, darlings, let's be honest, pink makes the world a better place! Remember, pink tutu's, darlings, they can never be too many!
Until next time, happy twirling,
Emma, The Pink Tutu Blogger Post # 87, 2023
But wait! It wouldnât be a Pink Tutu Travels blog without sharing the latest ballet buzz, wouldnât it?
This month Iâve been obsessed with⊠- Anya Linden, the new soloist at the Royal Opera House. I just adore her graceful moves and stunning stage presence! Oh, and I must add how stylish she looks off stage, simply perfection, she's such an inspiration! - My latest tutu shopping haul at "Pink Pas de Deux". Their collection this season is simply divine, darlings. Iâm completely obsessed with their new blush pink tutu, complete with whimsical silver ribbon! You have to check it out on our website! * - * And have you heard of "Le Grand Ballet du Mariinskyâ? Itâs currently touring Europe. Apparently, itâs breathtaking, with intricate costumes and spellbinding performances! Iâm definitely going to see their performance next month. Maybe I will be lucky and even score an invite backstage!
And my dear readers, remember that while our beloved ballet continues to enchant the world with its timeless elegance and beauty, every moment is a celebration of its rich history, of dancing hearts, and of spreading joy through the magic of motion. We, as ballet lovers, have a duty to embrace it and make it shine brighter with every pirouette, with every arabesque, and every dazzling pink tutu!
Till next time! Remember, you're a beautiful dancer, inside and out, embrace your pink and twirl into the magical world of ballet.
