Welcome back, fellow twirlers, to Pink-Tutu.com! It's your girl Emma, back from another mind-blowing time-travelling adventure, and this time I'm bubbling with excitement! Today we're stepping back into the elegant world of June 6th, 1693, a date overflowing with ballet history! So, grab a glass of pink lemonade, pop on your favourite tutu, and let's whisk ourselves back in time!
This month's trip on the back of Magic Meg, my sparkling pink Shire horse with golden hooves, has been truly spectacular! (As usual!) I landed right smack-dab in the heart of Paris, France, where, wouldn't you know it, it was a royal ballet birthday bash! It seems King Louis XIV, a notorious fan of all things beautiful and graceful, was celebrating his 44th birthday in a rather extraordinary fashion.
And oh, what a fashion extravaganza! We're talking glittering court balls, flowing silks, and an abundance of dazzling wigs and feathers. I had a simply lovely time collecting vintage dance programmes and beautiful hand-drawn sketches of costumes from this period, stuffing them safely into my leather rucksack for future Pink-Tutu inspiration! It's such a delight to discover the history of dance through its early documents.
Speaking of fashion, did you know that in 1693, the "courtly dances" -think Minuets and Gavottes - were all the rage in France? Ladies swirled gracefully in intricate gowns, and gentlemen bowed low in exquisite silk suits. Can you imagine, twirling in that style amidst the elegant court of the Sun King? It almost makes me want to travel back in time for a chance to twirl and curtsey alongside those royal dancers.
And talking about twirling!Did you know that the term "ballet" first appeared in writing during the 15th century? It's just mind-boggling to think about how this art form, which brings us so much joy and grace, has evolved over centuries! It makes you realize that even in the 17th century, folks were keen to watch beautiful performances! I imagine that court dancing in this era would have been quite the spectacle.
However, it wasn't all waltzing and courtly bowing. I've been keeping a watchful eye on other theatrical developments across the globe. The year 1693 saw a performance of William Congreve's comedy 'The Double Dealer' taking the English theatre stage by storm. Imagine, being in that audience and watching the actors move, perhaps even adding a hint of grace and panache from the era's dance practices!
Oh, and guess what I found in a local Parisian antique shop?! It wasn't a new pair of ballet shoes (though I did browse their collection for hours!) but something far more incredible: a delicate antique pocketwatch! It features a small ballerina figure, spun by a clever little mechanism. Talk about a timeless reminder of our love for dance! Imagine holding this precious timepiece as you admire a ballet performance, thinking of the long history and dedication woven into this graceful art.
And speaking of timeless love, what's more wonderful than celebrating ballet and its history? Sharing it with you, of course! I know, I know! The beauty of dance needs to be shared! Let's all take inspiration from those dazzling court dances of 1693. Why not don our favourite tutus and give ourselves a chance to truly experience that elegant grace, perhaps even try out some Gavotte steps in the garden? I promise it will bring a whole new perspective to those delicate dance moves, and maybe a little bit of royal history!
Now, let me leave you with a little nugget of wisdom:
"Every movement tells a story. Embrace it."
Until next month, happy twirling!
Emma
(This post is Number 390 on www.pink-tutu.com)
