Hello dearies! Emma here, and this month Iâve whisked myself away to the glorious city of Paris. Paris! The home of chic and, of course, the very heart of ballet. And today, I'm on a special mission to share a piece of history with you, darling. My magic steed, Meg, and I, decked out in our favourite pink tutus, have taken us all the way back to 1682! It's the 8th of August, and I've got a real treat in store for youâŚ
Now, my sweet readers, this time journey is particularly exciting for me. 1682 marked a momentous year in the world of ballet. Yes, you guessed it! This is the year that the AcadĂŠmie Royale de Musique â yes, the prestigious ballet company in Paris â staged their first ballet spectacle called *âThe Ballet of the Triumphs.â *
Itâs hard to believe now, but at the time, there wasnât really a strong tradition of professional dancers like we have today. Many of the dancers who were part of the Royal Ballet, back in the 1600s, were essentially amateurs who came from the court circles, with many coming from the French aristocracy and royalty! Can you imagine that?! Now ballet is, of course, all about hard work, dedication and technique, and we see so many brilliant, trained and talented dancers nowadays. Back then though, it was still something more fashionable and glamorous than professional. However, that âballetâ piece I mentioned - The Ballet of Triumphs, became an instant sensation! Can you imagine! A huge royal spectacle, filled with the glamour of courtly dress and the excitement of the time. Oh how I wish I could be a fly on the wall at that première â imagine the grandeur and spectacle of it all. They called it a âballetomaniaâ back then, and, gosh, if you ask me, I think itâs the first sign of what would go on to become the international obsession with ballet we see all around us today.
Now, my readers, let's delve into the world of ballet at this point in history! This year, there are three more dazzling ballets waiting to enthral the audiences of the Palais Royale - Le Ballet de lâAdieu, La Foire des Vertus, and the exquisite Le Ballet du Château Ă prendre.
As for my travels to Paris, let me tell you! Itâs an absolute delight. Everything is just so wonderfully ornate and chic, with the streets alive with a buzzing atmosphere. My lovely, sparkling pink tutu has turned heads, that's for sure!
You might be wondering what ballet-themed finds I've snagged during my little trip. Let me show you! My bag's overflowing. Imagine my joy when I found the original program of "The Ballet of Triumphs" in a Parisian antique shop â just sitting there amongst piles of beautiful old lace and delicate china! It is a truly stunning document, full of intricate drawings, a real masterpiece of art. Of course, I couldnât leave the store without it!
I also stumbled upon a little gem, an old engraving depicting dancers in those early days of ballet. Imagine it â the ladies, with their beautiful feathered head dresses and intricate lace sleeves, performing elegant movements, just a vision of beauty and grace. The men, on the other hand, are a little more "macho"! I wonder, perhaps these guys would wear tutus if I was around to give them some inspiration! You can bet, dear readers, these beauties will be on display on my little âballet museumâ wall back home in my Derbyshire cottage.
So, my dearest friends, it's clear that 1682 was a very important year in the history of ballet! This era planted the seeds that led to ballet's global impact. Imagine the joy and excitement experienced by everyone lucky enough to see a show in the Royal Academy. This really paves the way for the ballet we know and love today. It's so much fun to imagine, is it not? I think you can say I am really loving the opportunity to have a pink tutu moment and dance through this history.
As always, don't forget to check our website at www.pink-tutu.com for further time-travel adventures. And let me know your favourite ballet moment - I love to hear from you.
Until next month, darlings! Don't forget to keep dancing!
Emma x
P.S. I have been doing a few "meet and greet" performances in Derbyshire, and I am thinking about taking my pink tutu-wearing talents to a wider audience. What do you think? Do you fancy me travelling further afield to bring some pink magic and sparkle to your towns and cities? I want everyone to be dancing like thereâs no tomorrow. Let me know your thoughts!
