Welcome back, fellow tutu enthusiasts, to another instalment of my Pink Tutu Time Travel Blog! It's your girl Emma here, bringing you all the fabulous news from the world of ballet throughout history, all whilst rocking my trusty pink tutu and fabulous fuchsia fascinator! Today, we're time-travelling back to the 17th century, to 4th April 1679, a date which holds some delightful ballet history gems, trust me!
This month, my loyal steed, Magic Meg, has galloped us right into the heart of Paris, where, on this very day in 1679, a truly remarkable ballet spectacle graced the stage of the Palace of Versailles. The ballet was called "Le Triomphe de l'Amour" (The Triumph of Love), a majestic masterpiece orchestrated by none other than Jean-Baptiste Lully, the royal composer and choreographer of the time. He was a bit of a superstar back then, like a mix of Beyonce and a Royal Ballet Principal all rolled into one, truly!
Now, this particular performance was a celebration of King Louis XIV's reign, with the whole ballet unfolding as a majestic allegory to the power and majesty of love itself. Imagine - all those swirling costumes, shimmering jewels, and elegant choreography telling a tale of how love triumphs over adversity - just the kind of story to tickle my fancy!
And it wasn't just any ordinary performance - it had all the stars of the Parisian ballet scene, including Monsieur de Beauchamps, who is considered one of the true pioneers of ballet as we know it. Imagine him, gracefully moving across the stage in a silken, embroidered costume - so stylish! This ballet truly embodies the courtly grandeur of the French Baroque, showcasing intricate choreography and lavish sets. I’d love to know what all those courtiers wore, their hats, gloves, jewels, wouldn’t they look fabulous in tutus? 😉
But it wasn't all grand dances and royal celebrations that made this day truly magical - the entire Royal Family attended the ballet. Can you imagine the glamour and spectacle? The King, the Queen, all those Princes and Princesses - such an audience would make even the most seasoned dancer’s knees tremble!
And speaking of "tremble", there’s a charming tale that circulates around the performance. Apparently, Louis XIV was so entranced by the spectacle of a certain ballerina who had just taken the stage that he is said to have, whispering to his wife, "She moves like a spirit! " Just a testament to the captivating power of dance, wouldn’t you agree?
Now, back to the present, and back to you lovely lot! I must say, 4th April 1679 wasn’t just a royal dance night; it was the birth of my current muse, the iconic pink tutu. As you know, I am a firm believer that tutus are for everyone. Even King Louis and the court at Versailles could do with a little touch of pink! After all, isn’t life a little more fun when you embrace a splash of colour?
As a modern-day ballerina myself, I feel such a connection to these early ballets and the dancers who paved the way for us all. The artistry, the skill, the passion - it’s all truly inspiring, isn’t it? This trip back to the French Court reminded me of something very important: ballet transcends time and fashion.
Remember, the only fashion rule you need is to rock that tutu with confidence, my dears! And if it’s pink, all the better. 💖
So, next time you’re at a ballet performance, or maybe even a fancy dress party, remember that this elegant and exciting history lives on in the tutus, costumes, and breathtaking choreographies we enjoy today!
Stay tuned, lovelies, for another pink-tutu-fied time travel adventure next month, and until then, keep twirling!
You can read more on my ballet time travel blog: www.pink-tutu.com! This is Post #220 - feel free to check out the archives, too!
Don’t forget, I fund my time travel with ballet performances! You can see me perform in Derbyshire! Follow me on socials! #PinkTutuTimeTravel #ballettimetravel #balletlover #balletlife #pinktutublogger #fashionhistory #tutulove
