Hello my darlings! Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things ballet and time travel. This month, I’m whisking you away to a magical date in history - March 3rd, 1692. Buckle up your tutus, darlings, as we journey back to a time when the ballet world was just beginning to blossom!
My trusty steed, Magic Meg (did I tell you her hooves sparkle like spun sugar? Truly divine!), trotted through time and landed us right in the heart of London. Oh, how I love the old city – it’s got that vintage charm, those quaint streets, those brick walls whispering secrets of days gone by! And it was a right buzz, what with all the cobblestone streets and those dashing gentlemen with their powdered wigs – very dashing indeed!
But on this particular date, my dear ballet enthusiasts, something utterly captivating was brewing… The birth of the ballet, as we know it! While it wasn't quite full bloom, it was just beginning to take shape. The French Royal Ballet had recently opened their doors to the public, with Louis XIV himself a massive fan! A right royal fan, in fact, he'd even set up his own ballet school for the nobility to flaunt their skills.
Now, 1692, was just the beginning of that incredible ballet journey! The fashion was a sight to behold, my dears - those long, billowing gowns with layers upon layers of ruffles and silks… Totally inspiring! Imagine – all that dramatic movement on the stage, and in those elegant dresses… my, how it just called out for dancing! I even snuck into one of those fancy plays, just to get a glimpse of the dramatic beauty, you know?
Of course, my time travel is never without its finds. My leather rucksack, darling, has become bursting with ballet gems from the 1690s! Imagine a lovely little book with beautiful illustrations, showcasing dancing postures. Imagine delicate drawings of costumes, a sneak peek into the earliest attempts to capture the elegance of ballet in visual form. *That’s what my backpack was filled with! * Pure magic!
While the French Royal Ballet was certainly the crème de la crème in 1692, Italy was catching up, showcasing beautiful ballet shows, and starting its own schools. My dear, the dancing is becoming a truly international sensation, spreading like wildfire, right across Europe. Imagine – all the beautiful women dancing with poise and grace, captivating everyone! And don’t even get me started on the intricate choreography… it was mind-blowing, really!
It wasn’t just the dance itself that fascinated me. You know I love a good frock, and I have to say, ballet costumes in this era were something special. All those swirling silks and graceful drapes, like floating flowers in motion, it was heavenly! And the men's costumes… oh darling! The feathers, the jewels, the sparkling shoes – they truly were princes of the dance floor, strutting their stuff like kings!
For all you aspiring dancers, those early ballerinas were incredibly strong, using techniques to achieve those incredible jumps and pirouettes. There was an earnestness and raw power to their moves – a beauty that’s simply breathtaking! They truly were pioneers, pushing the boundaries of dance and setting the stage for the world of ballet we adore today.
Now, my darlings, remember this date – March 3rd, 1692. The world of ballet was changing, and it's that change that truly got my time-traveling heart pounding! Imagine – the dream of graceful movement and expressive artistry began to take its first beautiful steps, on a dusty stage in London! And you know what? That dream lives on today. Every time I wear my pink tutu, every time I take a class, or watch a performance, I remember this very moment in history. It's an inspiration, darling, a reminder that anything is possible if we dare to dream big and leap!
Next Month: I'm off on another exciting adventure, a little closer to home. We'll be traveling back to the 18th century to a charming town called Derby. Fancy a trip? Join me on Pink-Tutu.com for the next journey.
Stay sparkly, darlings!
Yours in ballet,
Emma xx
