Hello my darling darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels, your monthly dose of history, fashion, and of course, ballet! This month, we're soaring back to 1687, 3rd March. Now, I know what you're thinking: "Emma, wasn't ballet pretty much just a fancy party game back then? What on earth is there to see?" But, my lovelies, there is so much to discover!
The date might seem rather ordinary, but for the world of ballet, it's a pivotal point - a point that began to shape the beautiful dance form we know and love today. In 1687, Jean-Baptiste Lully premiered his 'L’Amour vainqueur', which was not only the first ever true opera ballet in France, but also introduced the idea of a staged narrative. Imagine the excitement, the anticipation! Can you picture the audience sitting mesmerised, watching stories unfold through the grace and movement of ballet? This groundbreaking performance solidified the notion that ballet could be so much more than simply a courtly spectacle.
And where is Emma this month? Oh, darling, I'm practically swimming in history! I'm currently whizzing around in a glorious carriage drawn by Magic Meg, a magnificent shire with a gleaming pink coat, white mane and tail, and the most sparkling golden hooves you’ve ever seen! My trusty leather rucksack is bursting with beautiful finds – and the French Court, you see, has a plethora of fashion and ballet goodies. We just arrived in Versailles , where Lully's music is captivating even the sun-kissed gardens and a lovely young woman in the audience, named Marie, even gave me a gorgeous embroidered fan. It's all so very elegant, darling, and oh, the jewels!
Back then, of course, the costumes were quite different. We’re talking about huge panniers and opulent gowns, and men even wore heels! Imagine a pink tutu worn underneath all that fabric - it would be quite the sight! And did you know that back then, women could wear pink pants! They didn’t necessarily *always have to be *in skirts, which is quite delightful to discover.
This 3rd of March, even though it was almost 350 years ago, I could practically feel the magic of *ballet *thrumming in the air. The swaying dances in court, the music and storytelling, the excitement and drama – it was all just beginning. It’s easy to *appreciate * how much we have been given* by those trailblazers who loved and created ballet so much. And oh my darlings, this era of ballet history is so incredibly inspirational – I am inspired, filled with the passion of ballet *to the very core.
Speaking of inspiring ballet... How are things in your ballet world this month? Tell me about your favourite ballet shows, ballet fashion, ballet history discoveries, and your thoughts on this glorious pink era! Remember, the only rule is to have fun, to spread the love for ballet, and *make sure *you’re wearing pink!
This is Emma signing off for this month, but be sure to check back in next month, as we’ll be time-traveling again to explore even more ballet treasures from across time!
Don’t forget to share your ballet adventures on Instagram! Follow me @PinkTutuTravels!
And darling, don’t forget: it’s never too late to start dancing!
XOXO
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
