Hello, darling tutu-lovers! Emma here, your resident time-travelling ballerina, ready to whisk you back to another exciting chapter in ballet history!
This month, we're travelling back to June 1672 – buckle your pointe shoes, dear friends, because we're about to step into a world of regal court dances and the exciting early days of what would become ballet as we know it! ✨
Now, I know you might think a trip to the 17th century would be, well, boring. But, just like the colour pink, history isn't one-dimensional! This period saw some major shifts in the world of dance, and, naturally, I couldn't resist grabbing my trusty leather rucksack and hopping on Magic Meg's back for this delightful journey.
For those who haven't met her, Meg is, of course, a shimmering pink Shire horse with golden hooves and a white mane that dances in the breeze like a billowing tulle skirt. Honestly, she's practically the most perfect travel companion, and trust me, when you're jumping between centuries, you need that extra dose of magic! 💫
Our landing point for June 1672 is in glorious Paris, the heart of the courtly world and a haven for some of the most stunning dances, oh darling! King Louis XIV was the undisputed "Sun King" of dance. It was during his reign that we see the first inklings of ballets that truly resembled what we know today. The king himself, a serious ballet aficionado, even played a role in several ballets! Talk about dedication!
Stepping out of the time portal and into the cobblestone streets of Paris, I swear I could practically feel the history humming around me. The air buzzed with excitement – there was a ballet at the court of King Louis himself, and, honestly, I was itching to get a glimpse! It wasn't a "classical ballet" as we know it today – no tutus, sadly – but still, this performance, "Le Ballet de la Raillerie", would mark a defining moment. It was during this era that we saw the rise of ballets de cour – court ballets that were heavily symbolic and theatrical, focusing on storytelling, and lavishly decked out with elaborate costumes and opulent scenery.
And wouldn't you know it, one of my absolute favourite features of this era was the introduction of "la révérence", or "the reverence" – the famous ballet gesture where a dancer curtsies gracefully to the audience. Talk about elegance, and talk about the most perfect way to end a ballet, right?
And, speaking of elegance, I had to check out some of the "fashion" from that era. It wasn't all elaborate wigs and poofy gowns, you know! (Although those were definitely still en vogue) Some of the early ballet fashion from this time period was more reminiscent of, ahem, trousers and boots – although considerably more structured, of course, and with all the dramatic panache and beauty that one could wish for.
Just as I was getting ready to grab my rucksack and gather some more historical goodies from this period (including an exquisite hand-painted fan and a truly fabulous piece of jewellery!), I suddenly felt that familiar time travel tug – it was time to head back to present-day Derbyshire.
Leaving that wonderful slice of ballet history behind, my heart overflowing with the magic of these early ballets, I was already starting to think about my next time-travelling adventure. Maybe I’ll visit Russia in 19th century and get my hands on a beautiful hand-painted box from a vintage Bolshoi ballet… but you’ll have to wait for next month's post for the full scoop!
Until then, keep twirling, dear readers, and remember: life is always a performance!
Love, Emma
(For more pink-tutu adventures, be sure to visit www.pink-tutu.com)
