Hello, darlings! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood time-travelling ballerina. You wouldn't believe the fabulousness I've discovered on my latest escapade, back to September 1673! As always, Magic Meg, my shimmering pink steed with golden hooves, was a total angel, whisking me through the ages. You know, some of you have been asking how I fund my trips? Well, darling, I give breathtaking ballet performances in different eras, all dressed in the most amazing tutus! Then, I return to our time and share my tales – and my precious finds – in my blog! Today's post is a bit different as I found so much inspiration on this historical voyage!
Now, about my 1673 trip… I landed in the beautiful city of Paris! This was the year that the glorious Académie Royale de Danse was established – a very big deal in the world of dance! Can you imagine, a royal decree recognizing ballet as a proper art form? It’s the moment ballet really blossomed, becoming an elite affair and leaving the court behind, although it did retain its formal style. It was like stepping into a ballroom scene from a romantic novel – except in real life!
Walking through the elegant streets, I spied the Palais-Royal, a palace full of graceful courtyards and a beautiful theatre that held the heart of ballet. Imagine! This building housed not only stunning plays but also breathtaking ballets. Sadly, it's gone now, destroyed by the French Revolution, but its legacy lives on! I tucked away some snippets of the Royal Decree for the Académie, some lovely drawings of dancers in swirling, flowing costumes, and, of course, I collected some sketches of the iconic theatre itself for my museum. My rucksack, my little haven of ballet memories, is nearly bursting at the seams!
But oh darling, the ballet was the highlight of the trip. I found myself watching the beautiful court dancers, both men and women, in a ballet called "La Princesse d'Elide," performed to music that truly set my soul on fire!
Speaking of "La Princesse d'Elide," the ballet was a delight, even without all those fancy costumes that grace the stage today. While it featured the familiar choreography of intricate footwork, they didn't have tutus yet! But what a glorious performance, with elegant steps and a sense of movement that made you feel as if you were witnessing the birth of ballet. I almost forgot to pack away a souvenir - the elegant French dance manual – just so full of wonderful diagrams! The Parisian court dancers of this era weren’t simply entertaining; they were storytellers, expressing a whole world through their movements. And I think they wore a special kind of costume for ballet! – It's actually not too far removed from our romantic tutus with its billowing skirts. It seems as though the storytellers are truly the heroes of dance throughout time.
I saw dancers like Mademoiselle Lafontaine, the absolute star of the time, and learned all about her glorious costumes. Apparently, she became the most admired dancer in Paris! I imagine her wearing such lovely long gowns that gracefully swirled as she moved! These gowns might have lacked the modern structure of a tutu, but the billowing elegance created such beauty. Think layers and layers of silken fabric, falling around her like the wind. There is nothing quite as graceful! I'm imagining her wearing pale pink, darling! Can you see it, perfectly pink!
After "La Princesse d’Elide," the court, both dancers and nobles, waltzed gracefully around the room. Oh darling! You simply had to experience the excitement. To me, they looked every inch like modern day balletomanes – captivated by the art form, thrilled by the performances, lost in the enchanting story spun before their eyes. You know what they say - more things change, the more they stay the same! And yes, I indulged my passion for ballet fashion by taking pictures, of course, so you can see how the beautiful people of Paris in 1673 embraced ballet and danced in the exquisite, yet understated styles that made their own statement!
So, darling, here's the point. Every single ballet we know and love - from the romanticism of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” to the grand scale of Prokofiev's “Romeo and Juliet” – owes its origins to the brave, daring souls who pushed the boundaries of what dance could be in this era.
As always, my time with Magic Meg came to an end. I hopped on my magical steed and rode back to our time, clutching my beloved rucksack. What treasures to be shared with my loyal readers – but it's the journey that always truly touches my heart!
Don't forget to join me at www.pink-tutu.com to continue our adventure! Until next time, darlings! Keep on twirling!
