Hello lovelies! It's your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, here! Ready for another incredible ballet adventure? This month, we're taking a trip back to the 1st January 1671, a date that holds a truly special place in ballet history.
Now, buckle up and hold on tight because this month, Magic Meg, my trusty pink-sparkling shire horse with golden hooves and a flowing white mane and tail, is taking us on a thrilling journey all the way to France. Just picture this: the glistening snow crunching beneath Meg's hooves as we ride through the cobbled streets of Paris. We're heading straight for the Académie Royale de Musique – that's the esteemed French Academy of Music – and it's about to get seriously exciting!
On this day, way back in 1671, the very first ballet d'action premiered right there at the Académie Royale de Musique! Now, you might be wondering what that means. Well, this wasn't just a simple ballet - it was a whole new style of ballet, one that actually tells a story! You see, ballet used to be more like a series of graceful poses and movements, but this ballet d'action, titled "Psyché," took the form to a whole new level. The storyline, taken from a myth about the goddess Psyche, included dances that expressed characters' feelings, battles between gods, and a triumphant finale - wowzers! It was like a movie with beautiful movements instead of talking!
My heart skipped a beat as I walked into the Académie Royale de Musique. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement. Everyone was dressed to the nines. Men wore stylish coats and breeches while the ladies donned elegant dresses with elaborate embellishments, the women of the Court of Louis XIV being particularly splendid in their feathered bonnets and lace-trimmed gowns. Oh, how I love to dress up in a similar fashion to attend ballet shows. The first performance ever given in the magnificent hall of the Palais Royal. I could feel the history buzzing all around me! It's a moment that marked a turning point in the world of ballet.
This was a night for celebration. People cheered and gasped at the beautiful dances and dramatic plot twists. It was the beginning of a ballet revolution! As the show finished, the lights came up. People clapped and cheered and some of the court ladies were even seen dabbing away a happy tear! And here I was, a girl from Derbyshire transported into 17th century Paris, watching history unfold right before my very eyes!
The beautiful ballet costumes, with their lavish ornamentation and colours, have always held a special place in my heart. I tucked some tiny silk ribbons, perfectly matching my own ballet costume, into my leather rucksack, I imagine a young dancer at that very academy was delighted by them. Just a small memento from one ballerina to another. I also discovered that at that time, dancers still wore rather flat shoes instead of the glorious pointe shoes we love today.
As Magic Meg trotted back through the cobbled streets, I thought about the incredible journey I'd just experienced. This wasn't just a time-travel trip; it was a peek into a fascinating world where ballet was evolving and the concept of ballet d'action had just begun.
You see, the birth of this new ballet style helped pave the way for the brilliant and expressive storytelling ballets we adore today. I imagine the famous "Sleeping Beauty", "Swan Lake", and even the amazing, intricate "The Nutcracker" that takes me right to my ballet heart! We owe so much to the ballet pioneers who took those bold first steps!
What did I do with the new information I gleaned on my journey? Why I just went to my favourite local fabric shop to source some ribbon! I'm already dreaming up a ballet performance where my fellow dancers will don flat, ribbon-laced slippers. The dance we will create will showcase how dancing in the era of ballet d'action truly came to be! My goal of a pink tutu on everyone now includes footwear! We can explore these early times, learning from our forerunners in the ballet world. Just wait and see. Oh and did I mention that this whole pink tutu affair also brings in funds for our future ballet excursions. We may travel to a different place each month for a little ballet inspiration.
I will post pictures from our trip and what we are planning to do on the blog! Stay tuned!
Don’t forget, if you’re dreaming of dancing with pink tutus like mine, remember to head over to www.pink-tutu.com! Let’s spread the love of ballet and get everyone wearing pink tutus together.
Love,
Emma
P.S. Don’t forget to check out this month's ballet show listings for some incredible performances taking place around the world! Support ballet, you will not regret it!
