Hello, darling tutus! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels! It's Emma here, your trusty time-traveling ballerina, ready to whisk you away to another breathtaking era of ballet history! This month, I'm swapping my Derbyshire hills for the glittering lights of Paris, and believe me, you won't want to miss this!
It's November 11th, 1671, and Paris is abuzz with anticipation! You see, tonight is the grande premiere of a new ballet by the incomparable Monsieur Lully. You may recognise his name; Lully was a powerhouse in the Parisian musical scene, a true maestro! His ballets, full of drama, grand spectacle and stunning music, were all the rage! I couldn't imagine missing this event!
Before we head into the glittering theatre, I had to share a bit about this absolutely divine creation I found on my travels! Tucked away in a charming antique shop in Rouen, I found a piece of ballet history - a pink silk ribbon with delicate silver beads. Can you believe it?! The owner explained that the ribbon was part of a costume from one of Lully's earlier works! It's positively bursting with historical significance and, of course, matches my Pink Tutu Travels philosophy perfectly! It's going straight into my rucksack - this beautiful pink silk treasure is going to be featured on my website. You can get a sneak peek of it in my blog post next week!
And speaking of exquisite details, I've chosen a blush-pink tulle tutu that would make even Marie Antoinette swoon! It’s a timeless piece that adds a touch of fairytale glamour to any historical setting! Of course, no time travel outfit would be complete without Magic Meg. Today, she’s adorned with a beautiful pearl-grey halter draped with blush pink ribbons.
Now, about this Parisian Premiere... we’re off to the Palais-Royal, home to the theatre of the Palais-Royal. It’s said to be magnifique and with Lully’s talent, it’s certain to be an absolutely spectacular show!
Imagine the thrill of watching dancers perform the choreography of Monsieur Lully! I bet it’s breathtaking and dramatic! My favourite part of time-travelling is immersing myself in the art, fashion, and excitement of the period. This ballet is definitely a highlight of my Paris trip! I even saw a snippet of a dance featuring a solo ballerina in a vibrant pink silk dress! A perfect pink detail for this pink-loving ballerina.
Tonight's performance, "Le Carnaval", features music by Lully and a choreography that is described as whimsical and entertaining. With costumes fit for a royal ball, there’s no shortage of spectacle or style. Imagine graceful figures in elaborate costumes against a backdrop of richly coloured fabrics and dazzling stage effects. This ballet truly embodied the Parisian love for the lavish and theatrical!
As I imagine the delicate steps and graceful movements of the dancers, I find myself mesmerized by the stories that unfold before my eyes, the emotions captured in the music and movement! It’s as though I am truly transported to this different time, living and breathing ballet alongside these artists.
And of course, no time travel experience is complete without indulging in the local fashion. My time-travelling diary is brimming with details from my shopping escapades. I simply adored the charming boutique shops tucked away on Parisian streets, brimming with exquisite silk ribbons and handmade floral pins! Just imagine, those ribbons are the same silk used for ballet costumes! Parisian elegance and ballet just seem to perfectly compliment each other, and what could be better than a delicate pearl brooch, pinned onto my tutu? It just adds that extra touch of sophistication and French flair.
Speaking of Parisian elegance, Lully was a pioneer of bringing theatre and dance together, transforming courtly spectacles into true theatrical performances. That’s why I adore his work so much! It's pure elegance and theatricality! Tonight, I'll be taking a little notebook with me to write down as many of the stories, myths, and ballets as I can. My collection of historical ballet tales keeps getting bigger!
Tomorrow, I'm planning to explore the heart of the ballet scene - the famous Académie Royale de Musique. Lully was instrumental in establishing it, you see. It’s known to be the cradle of ballet, and a monument to the art. And I will be sure to grab some Parisian ballet treats to add to my collection - you just never know what delightful curiosities you might find in Parisian streets!
I can't wait to tell you about the enchanting wonders that await me!
But before we gallop into our Parisian adventure, a reminder: please do check out Pink Tutu Travels on www.pink-tutu.com for the latest blog updates and stories!
Until next month, my dears! Bisous Emma x
Postscript: Don’t forget to share your favorite pink tutu memories in the comments below! Tell me what excites you about the history of ballet. I'd love to hear from all you darling tutus!
P.S: I’m going to try to bring back a bit of Parisian style to Derbyshire, to inspire my next ballet performance! Think delicate ribbons, sparkling pins, and dazzling silk tutus. Maybe I can even encourage everyone to join me in wearing pink! Just imagine, all my fans in a sea of pink, like a dazzling ballet performance! Now that’s a dream worth chasing!
*Don’t forget! * You can follow my Pink Tutu travels on Instagram and Facebook! I post regularly and even share behind-the-scenes pics of Magic Meg, the costumes, and all my fabulous finds. It’s a great way to see where I’m heading and learn about all the ballet treasures I'm discovering along the way!
