Post Number 148
Hello fellow ballet lovers and tutu-wearing dreamers! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com! I’m Emma, your resident time-travelling ballerina, and this month I'm waltzing back to a truly fascinating moment in ballet history, 4th April 1673, to uncover the birth of the French Royal Academy of Dance, a moment that irrevocably shifted the world of ballet as we know it!
Now, my fellow tutu enthusiasts, imagine this: a swirling vortex of energy, a dazzling pink glow, and my beloved Magic Meg, the shire horse of my dreams, all decked out in her pink sparkly coat and flowing white mane, ready to take me on another thrilling time-traveling adventure.
We’re back in Paris, France, which seems to be the place to be for a ballet-mad girl like me. As I rode into the grand cobbled streets of Paris, I was awestruck by the opulent architecture and the elegant figures adorned in the latest fashion, a world away from my charming village life in Derbyshire. Today’s mission, I’m so excited! I’m here to see how it all began, the launch of the French Royal Academy of Dance, a moment of absolute ballet brilliance!
Riding Meg through the bustling Parisian streets was an experience in itself! As Meg clip-clopped her way past street vendors, their colourful wares - beautiful, intricate silk ribbons and dazzling jewels – reflected in her sparkling pink coat, it felt as if the city itself was ready to celebrate the magic of dance. I could just see this glorious pink shimmering mane against a backdrop of Parisian elegance, simply the epitome of Parisian grace!
Imagine, the air was thick with anticipation! I followed my time-travel intuition and ended up outside the luxurious Theatre du Palais Royal. The grand entrance, with its ornate carvings, was breathtaking. A long queue snaked through the crowds, and everyone was wearing their most stylish outfits, a visual feast for my ballet-obsessed eyes!
A sense of theatre history enveloped me as I entered the grand auditorium. The theatre was a feast for the senses – plush red velvet seats, beautifully sculpted ceilings adorned with gold, and chandeliers glittering like a constellation of twinkling stars. The very air was alive with an intoxicating energy of art, drama, and a promise of captivating performances. It was the perfect place for a dance dynasty to be born!
The King himself, Louis XIV, graced the theatre with his royal presence! This was truly an event that was going to define ballet forever, and the entire nation was paying attention. King Louis XIV, "The Sun King," was a man of absolute power, and he was incredibly passionate about ballet. He believed dance was a fundamental art form and that France should have its very own ballet school dedicated to achieving the highest standards of ballet.
The opening of the French Royal Academy of Dance was an unforgettable spectacle. The orchestra played vibrant melodies, and renowned dancers, both men and women, took the stage, their bodies moving with effortless grace and strength. They told stories, expressed emotions, and brought characters to life through their extraordinary movements. Their dancing captivated the audience and transported us all to another realm. The choreography was both stunningly precise and creatively captivating, drawing in everyone to experience this momentous occasion, marking a historic day for ballet!
As I sat there mesmerized by the spectacle unfolding before me, I noticed how the dancers were using pointe shoes. It seemed like something completely new. Now, as I’m writing this blog from my current time, pointe shoes are so normal in the world of ballet, it is hard to believe they were something that had not yet fully blossomed into an essential ballet tool.
Later, after the breathtaking performance, I sat with some of the other theatre guests to listen to the chatter and witness the palpable energy after the first official performance of this remarkable new academy.
"My dear, don’t you think these dancers have quite a different elegance, their style? Something new? Something more graceful, even more artistic and theatrical." said one of the ladies I overheard gossiping. “It seems as though these ballet dancers have created something special, they seem more, I don’t know... elevated and empowered. It’s wonderful how they control themselves and yet are so delicate and refined." She said with her head cocked.
Another guest who sat at our table chimed in with a “Ah, Madame, yes, the movements have been refined so the dancers express their artistry in a way that is most impressive." "Such control, their gestures, their positions are sublime." She said gesturing wildly with her hand, her large pink velvet hat swinging like a pendulum. "Even their dress is exquisite!"
And of course, they were talking about tutus! Tutus are one of my all-time favorite ballet fashion accessories and, my, how stylish they were on that day in 1673! Long, flowing, swirling, and just oh so French, with all the right flair and panache, it was truly spectacular! These tutus weren’t your traditional pink tutu, no no, they were these romantic tulle confections, quite elaborate and elegant, something I think any ballerina, past or present would love. But I have a secret plan... you know how I dream that all the world would be rocking a pink tutu? I just have to convince some ballet creators from the 17th century that a pink tutu can really bring the drama! Pink, it just goes so well with everything.
On my travels through time I collected my precious finds to take back home in my ballet rucksack - beautiful French dance scripts and drawings from that first Royal Academy ballet program and even an early pointe shoe to add to my ballet fashion archives! A piece of the glorious world of 17th century ballet now forever preserved, just for me, I thought gleefully as I jumped back on Magic Meg for another exciting time travel adventure! This trip was a truly magical and inspiring reminder of ballet's profound and beautiful journey, which continues to evolve and inspire, forever, as generations of dancers continue to embrace the magic of movement.
So what about you, fellow tutu-wearers? Have you ever dreamt of taking a trip to the past and experiencing ballet's roots for yourselves? Have you seen any ballets that are influenced by French dance traditions? Don’t forget to share your experiences and reflections on our website. It would mean so much to me!
But until our next pink time-traveling journey together, happy dancing, and don't forget, the world looks more beautiful in pink, so always, always wear a pink tutu, because... we love the pink life, we live the pink life, we love tutus!
With love from my pink heart, Emma. xx
