Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels, my lovelies!
Itâs August 8th, and oh, what a day for a journey back to 1692! This month, Iâm whipping up a whirlwind of excitement as we delve into the rich history of ballet, travelling back to the time of the French Royal Academy of Dance. Itâs time to put on our most glamorous pink tutus (because, let's face it, what else would you wear on a time travel adventure?), saddle up on Magic Meg â my gorgeous, sparkly pink shire horse with the golden hooves and snow-white mane â and take a gallop through the centuries!
As a Derbyshire girl at heart, youâd think Iâd love a bit of a canter through the Peak District with Meg, but alas, my latest journey took me all the way to France, the land where ballet really found its legs, and I must tell you, it was divine! Imagine the opulence, the drama, the elegance of the court of Louis XIV!
Backstage Pass to 1692
Now, 1692 wasnât exactly the peak era of ballet like the Romantics in the 19th century, but trust me, it was a pivotal year for ballet's future. Think of it as the âgroundbreaking ground floorâ, you know? The year of real progress! Imagine all the stories whispered behind the velvet curtains at the Royal Academy of Dance!
On August 8th, 1692, there were several ballet performances going on at the OpĂ©ra de Paris, that opulent palace of the dance! I slipped into the grand foyer in my dazzling pink tutu and gasped! The costumes! It was a kaleidoscope of colour, silk and satin, feathers and sequins! They were far more intricate than anything weâd see today. The gentlemen wore luxurious velvet, feathers, and silk breeches - almost a far cry from todayâs elegant simplicity! But there it was - the foundation of everything we love today about the beautiful artistry of ballet.
What to Pack in My Rucksack
Now, what to grab from the time capsule in my trusty leather rucksack on my back? Oh, the memories, my loves! Youâve got to try some of this 1692 beauty regime. I packed a book full of tips for maintaining a perfectly coiffed wig (the elaborate hair styles in the era, so high with curls, were incredible, like clouds in my imagination!), plus, I brought back a small bag of special scent - imagine perfume blended with roses, cinnamon and cloves. And of course, I simply had to get my hands on some hand-drawn diagrams from a ballet lesson - imagine! There was no youtube for these ballerinas, everything was a closely-guarded secret. The dance classes were held in beautifully adorned rooms with the highest of ceilings. Can you imagine learning to leap across such a grand space?
Itâs a Tutu Thing!
Do you remember when I promised that I would inspire the world to wear a pink tutu? Well, while in 1692, my quest found a few unexpected allies - or shall I say allies with very long feathered caps. After a delightful and delicious meal (lots of fresh oysters, my loves!), a conversation erupted in the dimly lit and luxurious corner booth of my favourite Parisian cafĂ© about, you guessed it - my pink tutu! As I elegantly tucked into my dessert of sugared strawberries and cream, a distinguished gentleman (letâs just say he was âimpressively well-featheredâ) approached me and, with a mischievous twinkle in his eye, told me of an elaborate tradition they called âA Danse dâAmour".
âEvery year on a night just like thisâ, the gentleman winked and pulled out a handkerchief from his breeches pocket, a single pearl nestled within, "men dress in elegant attire, complete with elaborate feathered caps and gloves... and all for a lady they secretly admire." The pearl would signify a message of admiration - the ultimate expression of love! He explained how he planned to court a fair lady by joining a special ballet class run by a charming man known as Pierre Beauchamps (Pierre was considered the "Father of Ballet", and he set in motion the choreography steps for us to dance by today - incredible!)
My lovelies, a few stolen moments and the gent's persuasion later (it all ended with him twirling his feathers while I admired them, giggling with joy!), he's now inspired to dance in his finery... with a pink tutu. I think this gentleman's âDanse d'Amour" just got a bit more ⊠flamboyant. My mission - spread the love of pink tutus - is moving along splendidly!
Until next month, lovelies! Don't forget to keep on swirling, keep on dancing, and above all, stay sparkly and always, always, wear a pink tutu!
P.S. For your next tutu adventure, be sure to join me next month as I journey through the historical Ballet Russes! Until then, keep your eye on www.pink-tutu.com for my weekly blog and special features on the world of dance!
