Hello, my darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels! It's Emma here, and this month, we're stepping back in time to November 11th, 1675. Get ready to twirl your way through history! My trusty steed, Magic Meg, my pink sparkling shire horse with her golden hooves and cascading white mane and tail, is champing at the bit to take us on this exhilarating adventure!
As a true lover of all things pink and tutu-licious, my heart skipped a beat when I realised this particular date is linked to a pivotal moment in the evolution of ballet. It marks the first public performance of L'Académie Royale de Danse (The Royal Academy of Dance) - what we might call "ballet's big bang", in Paris.
Picture this: The year is 1675, the French Court is abuzz with excitement, and the newly established Royal Academy of Dance is ready to dazzle the world. Imagine the chandeliers glittering, the hushed anticipation as the court descends upon the luxuriously adorned theatre. The excitement would be palpable, even in our time!
Now, I'm sure you’re dying to know, my dears, what ballet treasures were unearthed on this exciting jaunt through the past? Well, nestled securely in my pink leather rucksack, I found an authentic playbill (imagine that! The programme of a ballet performance!) from that inaugural performance. It’s not quite as glamorous as the beautiful handbills that adorn our theatres today, but for a glimpse into this golden age of ballet, it’s simply divine. The script, written by Jean-Baptiste Lully, is a delight. It tells the story of Psyche, a play packed with dance, spectacle and myth, a combination so close to my heart, and a testament to how much dance meant to the court at the time!
But it's not all just about the plays themselves, darlings! You see, it's the costumes that truly fascinate me - the elaborate silk garments and the stunning footwear. I can just picture these first French ballet dancers bounding across the stage in their delicate shoes. Imagine, if you will, the ladies in their billowing silk gowns with their intricate hairstyles, their powdered faces set aglow by candlelight, dancing with a lightness and grace. Just imagine, a ballet world so new and exciting!
What a chance to take a peek behind the curtain, to feel the atmosphere of such a revolutionary event, to glimpse the sheer talent that poured out onto the stage for the first time in its beautiful form, the first ballet spectacle.
As I stood there watching the scene, a quiet moment of magic passed between me and my Meg, our bond was simply unbreakable, as if both of us were feeling the echoes of this moment which defined dance, a defining moment, the creation of ballet as we know it.
I felt so blessed to witness this historical moment – the first steps in a dance that would go on to touch hearts and inspire minds for generations to come.
And now, I know you are itching to hear about what is happening in our wonderful ballet world right here and now. It is ballet time, my dears, so let us explore! I have been fortunate enough to visit the world famous Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, London where the stage is set for Sleeping Beauty. It is one of my all-time favorite ballet masterpieces and seeing the dancers execute their leaps, pirouettes, and elegant pas de deux was sheer delight!
This month has been such a whirlwind. I have also managed to fit in a delightful trip to the beautiful city of Edinburgh to enjoy the world premiere of a stunning ballet performance. And on Saturday, I watched a performance of Cinderella, the most classic ballet of them all at the Sadler’s Wells theatre which was an incredible experience! You’ve got to check out that ballet production at the Sadler’s Wells, the perfect backdrop for any performance of Cinderella - the sets were a work of art.
As my adventure with Magic Meg concludes, I want to remind you all about my mission here - my mission to spread the joy of dance by encouraging every single person in this world to try a pink tutu. I promise it's the best thing ever! It is the magic of pink, my dears. And why, I just love the colour pink. I just want everyone to wear it, it truly inspires me, it inspires happiness! Pink inspires happiness! Do have a look on my pink tutu blog site - www.pink-tutu.com for some ideas and a little inspiration to make a change for the better!
Remember, life is like dancing - if you don’t take a chance, you’ll never be able to really twirl!
Until next month, keep those toes pointed!
With love and twirls, Emma xx
