Hello lovely dancers! It's your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, here! Welcome back to my monthly blog post, where we'll be waltzing through history, discovering ballet's glorious past, and, of course, spreading the pink tutu love. This is post number 181, and oh my, I am so excited for our journey today!
Time for a Blast From the Past: 1st January 1676
We're heading to the year 1676! I must confess, this was a little tricky to get to; Magic Meg (my trusty, pink-sparkling Shire horse with golden hooves) isn’t really made for the cobblestones! Still, it was worth the journey!
Paris, France
Imagine my delight when we arrived in the City of Lights! The atmosphere was buzzing - full of life and, you'll never guess - ballet! This was the year that Louis XIV decided to merge his "Académie Royale de Danse" with the "Académie Royale de Musique," forming the Académie Royale de Musique et de Danse, the most important ballet institution of the time. I could already imagine all the spectacular dances and dazzling costumes being designed within its walls.
What was the ballet scene like?
Firstly, this time period saw the rise of a revolutionary ballet star: Monsieur Beauchamp! His incredible technical prowess and charisma on stage took the audience by storm. His elegant moves and gravity-defying leaps changed the world of ballet forever.
Another highlight of 1676? The very first public performance of Molière's "Le Malade imaginaire". I simply had to get a glimpse of this! It was so exciting, a comedy, drama, and a little bit of dancing all rolled into one! This kind of work truly proves that ballet wasn't just about the grace and precision, but also about telling a story through the power of movement.
My ballet bag, bursting with inspiration!
I've always loved shopping for unique pieces and adding to my ever-growing ballet collection, and this journey has been a treasure trove! In my trusty leather rucksack, I've found some of the most beautiful and historical items, including:
- A hand-drawn copy of Beauchamp's ballet moves! Can you imagine trying to understand these complex moves without a written language? They are absolute works of art, delicate and elegant! I can't wait to learn these steps with my dance class. Perhaps we'll try to perform a piece of "Le Malade imaginaire" someday. I'll let you know!
- An original, engraved copper plate illustrating an elegant ballerina pose. The intricacy of the lines, the graceful movement captured, I just feel this beautiful plate would be stunning framed in my living room. I think it'd match my vintage pink tutu beautifully!
Oh, and about those tutus...
They were called "mantelets" in those days! Think of the shape of a traditional ballet tutu, but flowing and full like a skirt! I can already imagine myself swirling through time in one of these glorious mantlets. They would pair perfectly with a dramatic makeup style and, of course, a pink top! I have a little something planned for my next ballet performance in Derbyshire… but shh, it's a surprise for now!
What's coming next?
For next month, we're planning to step into a different era! Can you guess where I'm going? I love this monthly ballet journey. Every month, I learn something new about the wonderful world of ballet and discover some fabulous new finds!
I’ll see you soon, ballet beauties, and don’t forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com for all your pink tutu needs! 💖 🩰 ✨
Happy dancing!
Emma x
