Hello fellow ballet lovers and time-travel enthusiasts! Emma here, back with another monthly instalment of my pink-tutu-fuelled adventures! It's been a whirlwind of a month, but you know me - I wouldn't have it any other way! 😉
This month, I’m transporting us all the way back to the 1689, to be precise, the 9th of September. Yes, I know what you're thinking - that's ages ago! But hold on to your tutus, because even then, ballet was buzzing with excitement! And as always, Magic Meg and I were right in the middle of it all, ready to sprinkle some pink sparkle onto history.
We landed, as always, in the heart of Derbyshire. You wouldn’t believe the stunning autumn colours! The trees were ablaze with reds, yellows, and oranges - definitely the perfect backdrop for a ballet photo shoot. Speaking of which, Magic Meg has a brand new pink saddle! Just wait until you see it! I think I might be even more obsessed with it than my collection of pink tutus…
Before we jump into the world of 1689 ballet, let me fill you in on what I’ve been up to. My new routine for keeping time travel funds flowing has been a joy - ballet performances on alternate days! One day I’ll be performing a beautiful classical piece, all elegance and graceful pirouettes. The next, I’ll be twirling up a storm in a high-energy street ballet routine with some of the local dancers. It's amazing how these two styles compliment each other - there's really no "wrong" way to move as long as you have a smile on your face, a heart full of joy, and a pink tutu! 🩰
Anyway, back to our time travel! This month, I packed my rucksack with some vintage dance books I found at a local charity shop (always check out the "books and music" section! You never know what little gem you might find!) and my trusty camera. As we settled in, I couldn't help but be drawn to the sheer simplicity of life in this era. You really learn to appreciate the little things!
So, what did I learn about ballet in 1689? First of all, let me say, I found it all incredibly charming. It's amazing how far ballet has come! In 1689, we were smack bang in the era of Lully, Campra and the Opera-ballet, those beautifully theatrical pieces with dramatic singing and dance interwoven. I heard it said that this period brought the development of the dance as an expressive art, paving the way for the more technical, expressive pieces of ballet that we love today! Can you imagine ballet not being known for its expression?! Shocking, I know!
Of course, no 1689 journey would be complete without a trip to the theatre! I found myself transported to a stunning French Court Opera-ballet (how utterly decadent!), where the music of Lully and his peers swept me away on a tide of elegant footwork, beautiful costumes, and expressive movements. My little heart just about exploded with joy!
Another intriguing discovery? Ballet costumes! It's all about flowing fabrics and silks. Nothing too fussy – think beautiful simplicity with intricate embroidery here and there. Of course, they've still got a long way to go before they reach my perfect level of "pink sparkle"! That's my job! One pink tutu at a time, people!
Now, it’s time to bring this post to a close. But before you go, I've got one more little time travel treat for you:
Imagine this: You're sitting in a plush velvet chair in the heart of the Royal court, with a crystal goblet in hand (filled with a fruity, pink concoction, naturally!), watching the world's finest dancers move to music so captivating you can't help but feel swept away in the moment. That's what the opera-ballet scene was like! Isn’t it utterly fantastic?
This is the beauty of time travel, friends! We get to step into the past and witness the genesis of our favourite art forms!
Until next month, keep those pink tutus twirling and your imaginations dancing! 💖
Yours always,
Emma,
The Pink Tutu Blogger
www.pink-tutu.com
