Hello, darlings! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu time traveller, and this month I'm whisking us back to a delightfully opulent 1680, specifically July 7th. This is my 235th post for www.pink-tutu.com, my little slice of ballet heaven, where I share my adventures through the glittering history of our beloved dance form!
This time, my trusty steed, the radiant Magic Meg - she's a true pink sparkling Shire, golden hooves and all - took me straight to the heart of Parisian ballet. It seems July 7th, 1680 was a rather important date. Can you believe it, darlings, that this month marked the grand opening of the AcadĂ©mie Royale de Danse, Parisâ prestigious Royal Academy of Dance? Talk about a ballet history landmark!
We all know about the famous Parisian Opera Ballet, with its gorgeous costumes and star-studded ballets, but it's this academy, the "mother of all ballet schools" if you will, that was responsible for shaping ballet as we know it. Founded by Jean-Baptiste Lully, a visionary in music and dance, this institution paved the way for incredible choreographers and dancers, who went on to create groundbreaking works that changed the very face of ballet.
To say I was brimming with excitement wouldnât even begin to describe it! Imagine, darling, learning from the masters, attending incredible ballets, the very pulse of the dance world! The sheer energy, the history, the whispers of legendary steps still waiting to be discovered... My heart was dancing faster than a pirouette!
I just knew my leather rucksack, the one I wear every time I time travel, needed to be brimming with treasures.
From my perch on Magic Meg, the streets of Paris unfolded around me, a delightful whirl of royal fashion. Everyone, even the bakerâs daughter, looked so wonderfully chic. Lace, ribbons, frills - this era was all about an opulent yet graceful style. But no matter how grand their attire, there wasn't a pink tutu in sight! Gasps dramatically
Thankfully, my pink tutu - a soft, swirling cloud of tulle - was the perfect contrast. Just seeing their surprised expressions as I rode past made the whole adventure worthwhile.
I even got a sneak peek at the AcadĂ©mie itself, with its exquisite, light-filled halls and the tantalising aroma of shoe polish. Inside, I caught glimpses of students practicing graceful poses, learning intricate steps that would evolve into balletâs legendary techniques.
You know me, I couldnât resist stepping in for a quick peek, just to get a sense of the atmosphere. My imagination danced to the rhythm of their practice, picturing the young men and women blossoming into the ballet icons of the future.
Speaking of dance icons, my trip also saw me brushing shoulders with some true legends:
Jean-Baptiste Lully himself! My, what a whirlwind of energy this man was, a musical maestro, a theatrical genius, a master choreographer â he literally shook the stage. It was an honor to have him bow (almost!) to my pink tutu.
Monsieur Beauchamps, the man who put a little oomph into the ballets, the real âballet masterâ at the AcadĂ©mie. He was a revolutionary thinker, pushing the boundaries of ballet, experimenting with new techniques and choreography. I just knew that I needed to borrow one of his amazing notes, hidden away in the rucksack on my back. A snippet of ballet history, literally right at my fingertips!
My adventures werenât all about the grand academy, though. I stumbled upon an enchanting little theatre tucked away in a quaint corner. The programme promised a thrilling spectacle of the Comedie Ballet with the lovely Mademoiselle de La Fontaine dancing, while accompanied by beautiful music. I canât help but wish that every performance included my beloved pink tutu - oh how dramatic, a grand finale with every dancer in a tutu - wouldnât that be fabulous!.
There is simply nothing quite like attending a performance in an era like this. The music, the energy, the costumes â the whole thing makes your heart soar!
While this trip took me through 17th century Paris, I can't wait to share more stories about ballet from around the world! Next month Iâll be venturing to Italy - oh, just imagine the food! And remember darlings, spread the pink tutu love â itâs infectious!
Till next time,
Emma xx
