Welcome back, my darlings, to Pink Tutu Time Travels! This month, weâre whisking you back to a rather fabulous date â the 1st January, 1679! Itâs post number 217 for my little corner of the internet, and I am positively bursting with excitement to share this extraordinary journey with you. Now, grab your tiaras and tuck into your pinkest macarons, because it's time to dance!
As you know, my little loves, my trusty steed Magic Meg, a sparkling pink Shire horse with the most dazzling golden hooves and flowing white mane and tail, whisked me through time last night. She always takes us to the most breathtaking destinations! This time, we landed amidst the opulence of the Court of Louis XIV in Versailles. Yes, the Sun King himself! I almost squealed with delight!
Before we delve into the glorious ballet spectacle, I must share the thrill of arriving in Versailles. The sprawling palace, with its extravagant gardens and manicured lawns, was an absolute fairytale come true. The air hummed with a constant bustle of life, and everyone looked so dashing in their powdered wigs and silk gowns! My leather rucksack, which I always carry with me to gather ballet treasures from the past, filled with excitement as I watched a group of courtly gentlemen gracefully perform a minuet! Even the men in those days understood the importance of elegant movement!
My dear Meg knew exactly where we were headed - the grand Salle des Spectacles! Stepping inside, I was stunned by the sheer grandeur of it all! The walls were adorned with intricate tapestries depicting mythological scenes, and the lighting from hundreds of candles cast a magical glow upon the dancers.
What was even more incredible was that I was not just witnessing the early forms of ballet â I was at a performance of Jean-Baptiste Lullyâs opera-ballet âPsyche,â an enchanting work of pure imagination and drama. As the performers graced the stage, each movement resonated with a sense of artistry and grace that captivated me. Itâs clear why this period is often hailed as the birth of ballet as we know it! The court dancers of Louis XIV were more than performers; they were skilled dancers, choreographers, and storytellers woven into the very fabric of the court!
Did you know, my lovelies, that Louis XIV adored ballet and was instrumental in its evolution into a serious art form? He wasn't just a patron; he actively participated! He was, in fact, an accomplished dancer himself, appearing in many of his court's ballets. Talk about setting the example! It is perhaps no wonder that France, during his reign, became the epicentre of ballet for all of Europe! Imagine!
As I took my seat in the audience, I found myself right next to the Marquise de SĂ©vignĂ©! Oh, what a thrilling experience! I confess, my darling readers, I was so entranced by the performance that I forgot my manners and gushed over her elegant powdered wig. And you know what, the Marquise giggled and even let me stroke the soft curls of her powdered hair! She even told me how impressed she was by my pink tutu â a touch of Derbyshire brought to Versailles, wouldnât you say?!
As the final curtain fell on âPsycheâ, I felt utterly swept away. This journey was everything and more than I could have dreamt. It solidified my belief that the history of ballet is brimming with captivating tales and magnificent performers! Each era offers a unique story, and each story has its own special magic.
Oh, I almost forgot! As we left Versailles, the royal coachman gifted me a small, hand-painted miniature of a dancer from âPsyche.â This exquisite memento now takes pride of place in my ballet-themed curio cabinet back home! I simply must tell you about my miniature collection! I am gathering the most beautiful miniature dance scenes from all over the world and putting together a blog post on my latest finds soon â watch this space!
Now, darlings, my love for ballet and the past fuels me. I believe everyone should be able to enjoy the beautiful artistry of dance! That's why I keep this little corner of the internet alive and I spend every month hopping back and forth through time, always striving to bring you, my readers, the most incredible stories of the past.
Speaking of which, letâs dive into the latest in ballet fashion! I found myself quite captivated by the ornate court attire worn in the Versailles ballet. Those ruffles, the panniers, the exquisitely embroidered silks! I know some of you have tried on a corset! The feeling is magical. It transforms the body. This inspiration has already spurred me on to design some absolutely divine new tutus inspired by the opulence of 17th-century French fashion! Imagine the possibilities - layered pink silks, ornate embroidery, and the most glamorous headbands imaginable! I have my eye on some exquisitely intricate headpieces that perfectly capture the essence of this era! My upcoming ballet show in Derbyshire will definitely incorporate some of this new inspiration, and, my dears, you simply mustnât miss it! I'll be showcasing my latest creations and, for the grand finale, dancing a piece that channels the spirit of âPsyche"!
Remember, my lovely readers, you can follow my pink-tutu.com blog for all the latest news from my ballet time travel adventures! Donât forget to follow me on my Instagram page as well @EmmaPinkTutu. My latest blog post includes some amazing pictures of the Salle des Spectacles in Versailles! We even snapped a picture with Magic Meg in front of the palace, too! Let me know what you think!
Till next time, my sweet darlings! Embrace your inner ballerina, keep dancing, and donât be afraid to rock your pink tutus! Until next month!
Love, Emma
