Hello my dearest ballet lovers! It's your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, here with another thrilling tale from the annals of ballet history!
This month, I've dusted off my lucky pink feather boa and strapped my trusty leather rucksack onto Magic Meg, my sparkling pink shire horse with golden hooves and a mane and tail as white as fresh snow. She's whinnied with excitement, eager for another adventure, and off we went, back to January 1st, 1677!
You're probably wondering what was happening in the world of ballet on this very date, right? Well, let's just say, it wasn't quite the world of tutu-clad ballerinas we know and love today. Back then, ballet was still a young and evolving art form, heavily influenced by the French court. You see, it all started with the creation of the Académie Royale de Danse in 1661 in Paris, a special school designed to make sure dancers had the right moves for elegant court dances and dramatic performances. It was like the ultimate ballet bootcamp, setting the standard for dance throughout Europe, and I can just imagine those young ballerinos, learning their fouettés and bourrées with a hint of French chic!
However, in 1677, things were about to change. We're just months away from a significant shift - the premiere of Le Triomphe de l'Amour a ballet de cour (court ballet) written and composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully, which would set the stage for the first ballets d'action, featuring story-telling, character roles, and more dynamic movements. Can you imagine, my dears, the sheer excitement in the air as this new type of ballet was unveiled? The world of ballet, just like the world of fashion, was on the verge of a revolutionary transformation, ready to ditch its powdered wigs and embark on a new, daring, and utterly captivating era!
I must admit, this whole 'ballet de cour' business feels a little different from the modern dance scene I'm used to. Imagine performing ballet exclusively in lavish halls and royal courts, the only audience the elite of society, their opulent attire rustling and shimmering around them as the music swelled and the dancers moved with grace and elegance. Oh, to be whisked away to those bygone times, a pink tutu and a dazzling smile my only companion, the stories and treasures of ballet whispering secrets in my ear!
Speaking of treasures, my leather rucksack is bursting with stories from 1677. The sheer extravagance of the French court in those times - lace ruffles, feathers, and intricate patterns everywhere, simply divine! While ballet fashion might have looked more rigid and austere back then, with powdered wigs and elaborate, yet still, quite practical, shoes designed for dancing in grand halls, there was a certain timeless elegance in those fashions, wouldn’t you say? I've just got to get those amazing shoes back home for the pink-tutu.com blog readers to see!
Imagine, all the stunning ballet dresses with the embroidery, the silks and velvets. In 1677, you see, dancing wasn't just about showing off elegant movements - it was about telling a story through a symphony of gestures. Even if it means leaving behind my modern day tutus for something a little less, erm, ‘revealing’, it is so much fun experiencing those bygone times, seeing how ballet has grown and changed over centuries, evolving from elaborate court performances to the breathtaking theatrical experiences we see today.
And talking about seeing shows, I had to pop into the famous Opéra du Palais Royal. You simply wouldn't believe the crowds flocking to see the grand opera, full of dazzling singers, intricate costumes, and incredible stories, even if there wasn’t a tutu in sight! But fear not, my dearest readers, for the future of ballet holds amazing things – just as the year 1677 did. It was a time of growth, creativity, and a thirst for something different, something extraordinary.
You know, every time I travel back through history, I just want to shout, “Wear a pink tutu!" across the centuries! But that’s just me, of course. However, the important thing is to be passionate about ballet, embrace its rich and complex history, and remember that ballet is constantly evolving, constantly pushing boundaries, always challenging conventions, and always seeking to touch the soul with its captivating grace and mesmerizing beauty.
Now, dear reader, how can I help it spread the word and the magic of the pink tutu world? Remember, you can join me in this ballet time travel odyssey at www.pink-tutu.com - my blog posts, every month, just for you, sharing stories, tips, and ballet dreams to bring the pink tutu magic to life all over the world! Don’t forget to practice those pirouettes!
Until next time, dear readers!
Stay sparkling!
Emma x
