Hello lovelies! Welcome back to my ballet-tastic blog, Pink-Tutu.com. Iām Emma, your time-travelling ballerina, and this month Iām whisking you away to the fascinating year of 1677.
Remember, my motto is pink is always the answer, and you can't go wrong with a beautiful tulle tutu. But before we go hopping into the past, let me tell you a little about myself. I hail from Derbyshire, England, a county known for its beautiful scenery, friendly locals, and, of course, my home ā the enchanting land of the ballet! Youāll often find me twirling through the cobbled streets, a whirlwind of pink tulle and good cheer, spreading the joy of ballet wherever I go.
Speaking of good cheer, have you ever noticed how ballet performances are just so joyful and filled with light? They remind me of the sunshine that streams through the window of my ballet studio back in Derbyshire. Oh, donāt get me wrong, I love a good, dramatic story with a dash of angst ā I have to have a bit of tragedy to balance out my blissful ballet moments!
So, how do I get to see all of these fascinating ballets throughout history? Simple! With my very own magical steed, Magic Meg. Now, Magic Meg is no ordinary horse, darling. This is a majestic Shire horse, gleaming with pink sparkly magic, white as snow mane and tail, and hooves the color of gold. She's a pure vision in pink, perfectly in keeping with my style, of course! I've trained Meg to time travel, and with a flick of her tail and a clap of my hands, we're off!
With my leather rucksack brimming with a collection of ballet trinkets and tales from throughout time, weāre always ready for new adventures. Every month I collect more and more to share with you, darling! Just think ā there are thousands upon thousands of stories waiting to be uncovered, all to be woven into the magnificent history of the art form that captures my very soul: ballet!
Now, without further ado, letās head back to 1677. Thatās right, this monthās historical rendezvous takes us all the way back to the time of the "Ballet de Cour," when royalty reigned supreme! Now, when you hear "ballet de cour" picture this: opulent ballrooms, exquisite costumes, elegant dances, and, of course, dancing kings and queens! This was ballet's golden age at court, my dears, and a time when dancers began to really flex their artistic muscles!
King Louis XIV of France was the ultimate ballet fan. He wasn't just a patron of the arts; he was an actual, literal performer himself! Imagine that - a king strutting his stuff in a spectacular costume. It must have been a sight to behold! In 1661, he even established the AcadƩmie Royale de Danse. So, picture all those beautiful people gracefully gliding through elaborate dances, telling tales of heroism and romance through their movements, their expressions, and of course, their beautiful costumes! Oh, the gowns! The ruffles! I was simply in heaven, darling!
The ballets of the āBallet de Courā were all about grandeur and opulence. Think spectacular costumes adorned with glittering gems and feathers, and imagine music that played with soaring violin lines and grand harpsichords, transporting the dancers and audience alike to a world of sheer spectacle.
This particular date in 1677 saw an important milestone for French dance. The year started with a ballet titled, āLāAmoureux de la Princesse,ā performed by none other than Mademoiselle de la Fontaine! This is significant because it demonstrates that professional female dancers were now taking their rightful place alongside their male counterparts, marking the dawn of a new era. Oh, this was an absolute delight! Itās wonderful to see the increasing confidence of women in the world of dance.
On the 6th of June, just after seeing a particularly lovely āBallet de Courā, I found a treasure trove in my usual spot at the Parisian marketplace: A collection of meticulously-kept pamphlets. They were so detailed about the various roles, plots, and techniques for the performances that I almost felt I was back at the academy again myself, except with a far more intricate syllabus! Itās remarkable how even though their training might differ from our own in modern times, there was always this deep focus on skill and expression that binds the centuries together! Imagine a world without the āpas de bourrĆ©eā or the ādemi pliĆ©ā, unthinkable isnāt it?
You might be thinking, "Emma, why don't you stay longer in 1677? This all sounds fabulous! Well, my darlings, a time traveler canāt stay too long in any given era ā I have to flit between the past and the present, keeping everything balanced.
You're right though, it really does make me think: Ballet is a timeless art form. Every generation embraces ballet in its own unique way, from the āBallet de Courā to modern street performance. So, do me a favor, lovely, grab a gorgeous pink tutu, grab your friends, and embrace this beautiful art form. And, most importantly, spread the magic of ballet far and wide, like a wave of pink tulle sweeping through the world.
Thatās all for this month, dearies. Join me again for another installment in my monthly ballet time travels ā until next month, twirl on!
And remember, to make the world a bit more wonderful, *wear pink. Wear a tutu! *
Lots of love,
Emma
xx
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