Hello my dearest tutu-loving friends! Emma here, and welcome to my 150th Pink Tutu Travels blog post. I'm absolutely brimming with excitement because, this month, weâre diving deep into ballet history - 6th June, 1673 to be exact, which marks a momentous day for the art form we all adore! đ
From Derbyshire to Versailles
This month, I was back in Derbyshire, England, when I saw the glistening, pink hooves of Magic Meg beckoning. Her white mane flowed in the gentle breeze, carrying a familiar scent of rose and star dust, hinting at the thrilling adventures that lay ahead. My trusty leather rucksack was packed and ready, yearning for its new treasures from the world of balletâs past.
As we galloped across the centuries, I could almost feel the weight of time dissolving with each swift kick of Meg's powerful legs. We touched down in the sprawling palace of Versailles, an air of elegant opulence swirling around us. And do you know what I discovered? This date, June 6th, 1673, marked a huge leap forward in ballet history!
Ballet dâAction Takes the Stage!
King Louis XIV of France - heâs that Louis XIV, you know, the Sun King! - commissioned a brand new kind of ballet called the âBallet dâActionâ. It was the first time a ballet was based around a plot, a story! Can you imagine, dancing to a story instead of a fancy suite of dance steps? My mind was already whirring, envisioning tutus swirling with drama!
The very first ballet dâaction was titled Le Ballet de la Reine, which, of course, translates to The Queenâs Ballet. Whatâs the story, you ask? Well, this time it wasn't just a dance show, it was a play with dancers! The storyline involved a battle against invading Persians. Imagine, fighting, falling, and fleeing â all in beautiful ballet movements! What a game changer, my fellow tutu enthusiasts!
The plot had intricate and dynamic elements, allowing dancers to display incredible character portrayal â emotions, battles, even comedy, and that all played out alongside amazing, beautiful, and intricate dance sequences! Now, my dears, if youâve seen a traditional ballet in the last century, it's this "Ballet dâAction" that laid the groundwork for how we know and love ballet today!
A Royal Revelation: A Glimpse at Court
Of course, my time-travelling intuition wouldnât be complete without experiencing ballet courtside. Luckily for me, my visit was perfectly timed! As I wandered through the royal halls of Versailles, I saw nobles in grand costumes adorned with glittering jewels, laughing and whispering as they headed toward the court theater, their silken cloaks flowing like ribbons in the wind. I managed to catch a peek inside, as ladies with powdered faces and gents in powdered wigs took their seats! What a delightful scene - pure theatre and regal grace! It was absolutely fascinating to witness this glimpse into history - a real insight into how much the people at this time loved to see dance, the way I love to see a great performance in the 21st century!
Tutu-tastic Traditions:
Now, imagine my surprise as I peeked into the theater's costume room. They were preparing for the show! A symphony of colors! The men's costumes were embellished with ribbons and frills â almost like a pre-cursor to todayâs flamboyant ballet costumes, but with a heavier, more historical style, very much in keeping with the grand royal traditions of the day. The female dancers, however, didn't have the big pouffy tutus of today. They wore intricately constructed skirts of layers of silk, satin and even velvet, with ribbons cascading down like waterfalls - so feminine, so beautiful and I so want to give them a modern makeover with some bright pink.
I filled my backpack with the fascinating tales of these early costumes. Just imagine all those tiny needles threading those intricate silks, my lovelies!
Fashion and Ballet, a Divine Dance:
Speaking of fashion, my dear tutudoodles, the Parisian salons of 1673 were abuzz with exciting new fabrics. Think rich brocades, lustrous silks, lace so delicate it seemed to be spun from moonbeams, and jewels, oh the jewels - sparkling emeralds, glittering diamonds and shimmering sapphires! The Parisian fashions mirrored the beauty of ballet â elegance, sophistication and an endless supply of inspiration! I was utterly mesmerized, and I already have some bright pink silks in mind for my new ballet dress collection, all thanks to the stunning, opulent fashion that captivated the French court at this time!
From France to the World, with a Dash of Pink!
The creation of âBallet dâActionâ in 1673 didn't just affect the French court. It was a groundbreaking shift that radiated throughout the ballet world, setting the stage for ballet as we know it today! Think Tchaikovskyâs Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty, and the stories they bring to life! Ballet dâaction paved the way for powerful, expressive and enchanting story-driven ballets, captivating audiences for generations.
The journey back on Magic Meg felt like a waltz across time, every hoofbeat a measure of this wonderful, beautiful world of ballet and its constant evolution! This journey, like every other journey through time, has reignited my passion for dance and my dream: to have everyone wear pink tutus - not just dancers but everyone! Think of the wonderful colour! The joy it would spread around the globe! Imagine all the amazing ballet stories and the worldwide time travel that we can share, just by embracing that one little dream. It's about being bold, imaginative, and creating something truly special and I have a feeling the tutu wearing ballet world is only going to become bigger, brighter and more fabulous with each passing day.
Until next time my loves! Donât forget to follow Pink Tutu Travels, share with your ballet-loving friends and spread that pink tutu joy!
With ballet love and magic from your Tutu Travel Guide,
Emma â¨
