Hello darlings, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travel! This month, we're taking a delightful trip back to 1687, February 2nd, and you'll never guess what happened on this very special date…
It’s a grand affair this month as we travel back to the French court, to the glittering Palace of Versailles! Can you imagine, my dears? Such opulence! So much pink!
Well, not quite. This date actually marks the birthday of a rather famous dancer: Monsieur Pierre Beauchamp! Did you know, this charismatic choreographer is thought to have been born on 2nd February, 1636, in Paris.
Now, imagine, my dears, what this date in history must have been like in 1687, some 50 years later! This man was a pioneer, you know! He wasn’t only a celebrated dancer, but he helped to codify ballet and shape the very movements we enjoy today. How very exciting!
Imagine yourself at Versailles. The king, Louis XIV, in all his majesty, perhaps having invited Monsieur Beauchamp for a private performance or a celebratory gathering! After all, Monsieur Beauchamp had even choreographed pieces for the king and his court!
Such a wonderful opportunity, wouldn’t you agree? Monsieur Beauchamp helped bring dancing to life, laying the groundwork for the elegance and poise we admire so much today. What a truly exciting time to be a ballerina, to have been a part of such groundbreaking artistic events!
But you know, darlings, the journey starts right here in Derbyshire! It’s always a treat to prepare for time travel. This month, I decided to add a special touch of the regal era to my pink tutu – a little nod to the extravagant French court. Imagine, an intricate pink floral lace ribbon draped around my tulle, matching my bespoke tiara adorned with faux pink pearls. This would have certainly raised eyebrows back in 1687!
A Journey With Magic Meg
Now, don’t forget my trusty companion, my sparkling pink shire horse, Magic Meg. With her glistening hooves and majestic white mane and tail, she makes time travel just so much more delightful. This time, we’ll have to tread carefully, for even Versailles isn’t as comfortable on horseback as it would be in a gleaming pink convertible – a delightful idea for future blog posts, don’t you think, my darlings?
Before I left, my dearest grandma knitted me the most exquisite pink shawl! The warmth and comfort of her love are sure to help me through any chills of history! She insisted I add this to my rucksack, a gift to be passed on to those whose passion for ballet matches our own, a reminder of love and tradition, from past to present.
My leather rucksack, you know, the one I use for collecting ballet items and stories? Well, it's bulging at the seams this month! A replica of a seventeenth century dance shoe with ribbons for lacing (oh, the pain of dancing with shoes like this!) as well as a fragment of Monsieur Beauchamp's notebook about notation for the early ballet. Such treasures to add to my collection, all part of telling the story of ballet and remembering its remarkable evolution.
The Theatre of Dreams: Versailles in Pink!
It’s been a long, winding journey, darlings, and finally, I stand before the gates of the Palace of Versailles, its pink-hued beauty reflected in the morning sun, a touch of fairytale grandeur to complement my outfit. We shall spend this afternoon admiring the Palace grounds, dreaming of ballets and costumes in the heart of Versailles. The Royal Ballet would have taken place in the grand Salle des Machines - oh to see the court dancing for their King Louis XIV! Imagine the pink tutus! And of course, we wouldn't miss a trip to the Galerie des Glaces, a hall with a mirrored ceiling to reflect endless pink beauty.
Oh, I just love imagining how Monsieur Beauchamp would have performed in the vast halls of the Palace. Did he ever wear pink, my dears? Imagine his grace and power, his artistry – perhaps in a pink tunic or breeches – how wonderful that would be!
Monsieur Beauchamp wasn't the only important figure for ballet in this era. The dancer, Mademoiselle Camargo, is known for pioneering what we know today as pointe shoes - think of all the beauty we see today!
A Look at Ballet Past and Present
Even in 1687, the world of ballet was buzzing, my dears. But not only are we fascinated by what’s gone before, I also want to show you the fabulous things that are happening in ballet today!
In the world of professional ballet, February is an especially exciting time, with a wealth of stunning performances happening across the globe. Oh, the tutus!
I absolutely loved The Royal Ballet’s production of "Swan Lake." The timeless story is so beautifully conveyed with every turn, every plié, every gesture. There's so much grace and elegance, with the dancers in their breathtaking costumes. You can just feel the story come to life through the movements. Oh, if you get the chance to see this, darlings, don't miss it! The ballet is still as vibrant as ever, and the costumes are simply spectacular, even without a touch of pink, as the black, white and silver is simply elegant!
I’ve heard whispers of the "Ballet Hispánico" production of "The Exiles" taking place in New York - I just can’t wait to travel to see it! And of course, no ballet season would be complete without "Giselle." A dance with such drama, passion, and grace. I just adore the ethereal costumes. It’s such a powerful story that simply takes my breath away! It’s the kind of production that takes ballet to another level – all those pink and green shades of tutus really complement each other beautifully!
And that’s a wrap on my February time travel, darlings. Remember, pink tutus for all! Thank you for joining me in my travels, and please remember, I always love to hear from you. If you’re travelling in time to a fascinating historical ballet moment, do let me know in the comments below!
Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com next month, when we’ll embark on yet another time travel adventure, my dears! Until then, may your steps be graceful and your lives be filled with the magic of dance!
Warmly,
Emma
xxx
