Blog Post #384 - www.pink-tutu.com
Hello lovelies! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels. Itās December, and the air is crisp with anticipation, not just for the upcoming festive season but for my very own little celebration - a ballet birthday! Yes, my fellow tutudropers, Iām celebrating the fact that on this day, 12th December, in the year 1692, ballet was born as we know it! This was the first performance of a complete ballet, and boy, was it groundbreaking.
Now, grab your pinkest tutu, a steaming cup of Earl Grey, and let me tell you a little bit about this iconic night.
Weāre in Paris, the City of Lights, where beauty is always in bloom. I can just imagine it now. The candlelight glistens on the rich red velvet curtains, the scent of lavender hangs heavy in the air, and ladies in elaborate gowns rustle silks as they settle into their plush seating. Tonight is the night when Monsieur de la Barreās Le Triomphe de lāAmour, (The Triumph of Love) takes to the stage, ushering in a whole new era of theatrical dance.
Le Triomphe de lāAmour was a grand ballet that was created for a celebratory occasion ā a birthday for King Louis XIV. Youāll have to excuse the fact that he also commissioned one of the greatest ballets of the time, āBallet Royal de la Nuitā back in 1653. However, it seems even Kings need to step up their celebration game over time! This one was a grand affair - featuring stories of love, magic and the court. Can you even imagine how glamorous the costuming must have been? My, oh my, what an outfit explosion that must have been!
My little trusty sidekick, Magic Meg (my pink, sparkly Shire horse) snorted softly, interrupting my reverie. āThink of it, Emma, my darling! Itās as if Le Triomphe de lāAmour was a time machine for all of us - bam! The age of ballet as we know it, boom - born!"
Yes, Meg is right! Monsieur de la Barre's masterpiece revolutionized the ballet world. No more simple dances attached to an opera, like back in the 1500s, instead a structured, unified performance focusing on the story and the dancers themselves, and quelle surprise, telling it through the magic of movement. Ballet became the ultimate art form, where storytelling meets artistry. This was an absolute coup! Just like ballet history, it always seems to come back to a French Royal!
While Magic Meg gracefully trotted across the cobbles of 17th century Paris (I've added glitter to the horse's hooves - makes for such an unforgettable fashion entrance!), I did my best to imagine the first audience members. What must it have felt like to see such incredible dancing? What must it have felt like to witness such raw talent and creativity unleashed? * To be the first to fall under the magic spell of a complete ballet - *Oh lĆ lĆ !
I looked down at the gorgeous tutu my tailor in Derbyshire had crafted especially for this trip. Itās a vibrant pink silk masterpiece, decorated with miniature dancing figures made of glass, tiny, delicate ballerina slippers on the skirts, and tiny pink pearl droplets that shimmer as I move. Itās simply breathtaking - perfect for transporting a ballerina's dreams through time.
This balletās birthday is special to me because I want all of you to see the magic that Le Triomphe de lāAmour ignited in the world. This wasn't just a ballet; it was the birth of a true dance phenomenon. It brought grace, beauty, and storytelling to life in ways that nothing else could. This dance was so good that it transcended time, and that is something special, a gift to be cherished.
I have filled my little leather rucksack with sketches of the ballet's costumes, some poems written in celebration of this new era in dancing, and a miniature replica of Le Triomphe de lāAmourās poster, beautifully printed in shades of silver and pink. Oh, and a mustard pot. They seem to be everywhere back in the 1690s! Itās not a bad vintage item. I can see it adding a charming touch to my apartment.
Thereās so much we can learn from Le Triomphe de lāAmour - not just about the history of ballet, but also about the power of dreaming big and turning dreams into reality. After all, how often have I found myself gazing up at the moonlit sky in Derbyshire, fantasizing about dancing in shimmering pink on stage, enchanting audiences with every step? It all started right here!
On that note, lovelies, remember, you, too, can unleash your inner ballerina and take a journey back in time, and through the worlds of dance. Who knows, you may just discover the hidden secrets and forgotten treasures that dance history holds, inspiring you to chase your own dance dreams, with a dash of pink magic along the way! Donāt forget to pop back next month to find out where my pink tutus will be twirling around in time, for my next pink time travel tale!
Yours in Pink,
Emma
P.S. Donāt forget to share your thoughts in the comments section below. And don't hesitate to check out my newest Pink Tutu fashion collection on my website. My new line features tutus made with real ballerina memories, shimmering pink sequins and all sorts of tiny ballet-inspired gems, inspired by Le Triomphe de lāAmour, with matching, pink shimmer ballet shoes! Theyāre truly stunning - theyāre perfect for channeling your inner ballerina!
