Hello my darlings, and welcome back to my monthly time travel escapades! This month, we're whisking ourselves back to July 1690, a pivotal year in ballet history, for you wouldn't believe it, but that was the very first time ballet d'action graced the stage! It's time for some serious twirling back through the centuries with me and Magic Meg, my trusty pink sparkly shire horse, ready to take on the world – one pink tutu at a time!
Remember how much we all adore those beautiful stories told through dance? That’s ballet d’action! Before this exciting innovation, ballet had been largely based on the grandeur of courtly rituals and intricate dances – elegant, yes, but perhaps lacking in narrative flair.
Now, imagine – a ballet where you don’t just watch the dance, but are actually taken on a captivating journey through story and character. Isn't that magical? You can feel the excitement in the air – a brand new genre taking flight!
Onwards and Upwards: What Makes Ballet D’Action So Special?
Think about the shows we love today - a ballet about Romeo and Juliet? Swan Lake? Even The Nutcracker? It all stems from this amazing shift! This focus on storytelling changed everything. Suddenly, our beautiful ballets became an art form for expressing emotion, engaging our imaginations, and thrilling us with captivating performances.
It was a time of tremendous artistic evolution! In 1690, L'Amant Magnifique - literally, "The Magnificent Lover", debuted in Paris. This was not just a ballet - it was a revolutionary one! And it didn’t just have the incredible Jean-Baptiste Lully behind the music, it was performed at none other than the exquisite Palais-Royal – can you imagine?!
My Adventures in 1690: Tutu’d and Ready to Go!
Speaking of The Magnificent Lover, you bet your tutu I was in the audience – because what's a ballet historian without some firsthand experience?
First things first, let’s talk fashion! It’s safe to say that fashion in 1690 was all about elegance. The ladies in the courtly audience wore voluminous, wide-skirted gowns of silks and brocades, often trimmed with delicate lace. And I’m telling you – it would take some serious grace to navigate through those bustling crowds in my pink tutu – a welcome pop of colour amongst those rich tones.
I wouldn't have dreamt of going without a beautifully decorated, wide-brimmed hat, with feathers and ribbons adorning my pink-toned ensemble. You've simply gotta channel the flair of the time period, darlings! After all, we all know a stylish ballet aficionado never leaves their trusty parasol behind. It’s essential for keeping the sun from dimming the vibrancy of my pink tutu!
While everyone else in the audience was lost in the wonder of the courtly elegance, Magic Meg and I managed to slip behind the scenes, as only time-travelling ballet aficionados can! There were rehearsals happening for the big debut, and even I, a seasoned traveller of the centuries, had to gasp! The dance steps were unlike anything I’d seen before – all powerful leaps, intricate footwork and evocative gestures that flowed into each other like a story unfolding before my eyes.
It was simply mesmerizing. Ballet history is full of incredible moments, but being present for the dawn of ballet d’action is truly something to behold!
Remembering What Makes Ballet So Enchanting
From 1690 all the way through the ages, ballet d’action has flourished – think about The Sleeping Beauty or Cinderella – each of them filled with magical moments. Every grand jeté, every elegant arabesque, takes us into the depths of the story and we feel it all, just like they do! It truly is the art form where stories come alive, right in front of us.
Back To the Present with Pink Tutus, of Course!
Time travel is tough work, but it's oh so rewarding! Now that I’ve witnessed ballet’s remarkable journey, let’s remember this key takeaway – ballet is all about storytelling. Let those pink tutus shimmer and twirl as you let yourself be swept away by the beautiful stories that come alive through dance. So, dear friends, what ballet shows have you been loving recently? I always want to hear your stories and learn from your own magical ballet journeys!
Remember, we all have a ballerina inside us. It just takes a little time travel to discover it! Until next month, keep your tutus at the ready – the next ballet adventure is just around the corner.
Love and tutus,
Emma
