Hello fellow twirling enthusiasts! It's your favourite pink-tutu clad time traveller, Emma, back with another thrilling tale from the annals of ballet history! This month, I've been whisked away to the opulent world of 17th century France, landing right in the heart of the French court, a mere week after King Louis XIV, "The Sun King", declared war on Spain. Let me tell you, this is not the kind of party I'd usually fancy getting involved in, but I knew that a trip to the French court wouldn't be complete without some royal ballet.
Imagine, if you will, the grand tapestry-laden halls of Versailles, abuzz with gossip, lace, and, yes, ballet! It's a heady mix of history, grandeur, and, surprisingly, dance! Of course, I wore my trusty pink tutu for the occasion – a magnificent confection of feathers and shimmering pink silk.
Speaking of shimmering, how lucky am I to have Magic Meg by my side! My majestic pink-hued shire, with his sparkling golden hooves and flowing mane of ivory, really does shine a spotlight on any historical event. It seems people in 1684 aren’t as used to seeing a sparkling, majestic horse, let alone one decked in an enormous pink feather boa. But trust me, his graceful gait and dazzling presence steal the show every time. I even managed to score him a delicious bowl of apples, a gift from a friendly stable master who seemed quite impressed by Meg’s sparkling hooves.
But back to the ballet! This is where the story gets truly intriguing. My mission, dear readers, was to find out if, in the era of powdered wigs and exquisite embroidery, a Parisian audience would welcome a pink tutu on the stage! I certainly hope so! You know how I love to spread the message of pink tutu love across time and space.
The theatre was a grand affair. The ladies and gentlemen of the court were bedecked in jewels and finery – some even sporting their own, rather large, versions of wigs.
Now, this ballet was something truly unique: Le Ballet du Camp, an elaborate, courtly spectacle with complex military drills incorporated into the choreography. The costumes were stunning, all gilded armour, bright colours and intricate patterns – almost as if the costumes were dancers themselves, and they definitely gave the pink tutu a run for its money!
The dancers, in their elaborate feathered head-dresses, had an agility and poise I found captivating, and the sheer strength and discipline of the military dances was mesmerizing. Even the grand court of the Sun King couldn't deny the drama, precision and elegance of this spectacle. It was a grand ballet, celebrating French military might, with exquisite costumes and choreography. A touch of playful whimsy would be perfect – think more ballet in tutus and less strict military drill, perhaps!
A Day In The Life of A Time Travelling Ballerina:
I love exploring the ballet scene in these times, taking a few moments to simply soak it all in! There's something enchanting about witnessing history come to life, and when ballet is involved, it becomes a magical journey through time!
In fact, I managed to snatch up a small, elegant fan – perfect for my own little dance-inspired collection, as well as an original copy of the ballet’s music – imagine my excitement at possessing a historical artifact from King Louis XIV’s court!
It's a ballet lover's dream to be here. This evening, I have a grand social affair to attend, all the best dancers of the time will be present – some who’ll be in attendance, dancing, teaching and watching, would go on to have their names go down in history, for their skills in ballet. Just to be in the same room is so incredibly exciting – imagine what stories their silks and sashes could tell, imagine the knowledge in their eyes, I can feel myself getting excited already, for the evening.
And that's not all! The city of Versailles itself is teeming with secrets, whispering tales of courtly intrigue and whispered desires. The palace, with its extravagant gardens, its labyrinth of hidden passages, is full of beauty, intrigue and, of course, endless photo opportunities! Imagine, ladies and gentlemen, the sheer amount of photographs of a Pink tutu clad ballet lover against the most stunning backdrop that time and history can provide, it’s enough to make any tutu twirling, ballet-obsessed girl, happy!
Don’t forget my loyal ballet history buffs, keep checking in for all my exciting ballets, history, travel, costume and fashion discoveries at www.pink-tutu.com, for my regular monthly ballet adventures and make sure to join me as we celebrate the wondrous world of dance, pink tutus and history through time!
Until next time!
Emma
(Disclaimer: Any travel through time is done in a responsible, respectful and harmless manner.)
