Hello, my dearest tutu enthusiasts! It’s Emma here, your time-travelling ballerina blogger, back with another exciting adventure from the past. This month, we’re heading back to the 17th century, all the way to 12th December 1694, for a peek into the world of ballet!
As you know, I'm always on the lookout for fascinating stories and fabulous fashion from the past, and this trip to the late 17th century certainly didn't disappoint! You know me and my penchant for pink… oh, and my adoration for tutus, of course. So, as always, I’ve got Magic Meg – my shimmering pink Shire horse with golden hooves, a dazzling white mane, and tail like spun sugar – ready to transport us through time in style! I am especially fond of my lovely leather rucksack which I have packed full of goodies from each trip – think antique ballet shoes, historical dance programmes, and oh, the most exquisite embroidery samples from times gone by!
Today, we're landing in Paris. The 17th century was a golden age for the French ballet. While it wasn’t quite the time of elaborate tutus yet, it was a time of incredible innovation in dance form and a beautiful spectacle on stage. Back then, men were very much at the heart of ballet performance. They were the acrobatic stars, dazzling audiences with leaps, twirls and impressive poses, all while adorned in lavish, theatrical costumes. Think feathers, silks, and, of course, beautiful colours! Now, you’d think that there were no female dancers – imagine, not even a little tutus for them? But in 1694, there were many women who took the stage, they just weren’t dancing en pointe!
Speaking of Paris, imagine the world’s first ever ballet school! That’s what I found in 1694 - the Académie Royale de Danse - and wow, the world of ballet would never be the same again. While they were performing, I took a peak at the amazing dancers as they prepared for their show! Can you believe it, ladies and gents? This school, founded by a most charming and visionary dancer, Pierre Beauchamp, opened its doors in 1661 – that's quite some history already!
Now, while men may have been the stars in those early times, they were also focused on bringing elegance and refinement to the stage. This era was all about expressing grace, elegance and nobility – think flowing movements, beautiful posture and refined gestures, it all came together beautifully. The movements weren't quite the airy lightness and fluid expression that you might expect from a 19th century ballet, instead, think of it as a ballet for heroes and heroines - strong, decisive and passionate! Imagine a time when all dancers were taught using the exact same techniques… not like the different schools we see today! Can you picture it? Every dancer, male or female, was trained to express themselves with the same artistry! What a thought, isn't it?
But imagine, I’ve even been invited to a most exclusive show in 1694, at the Théâtre du Marais! The performance that evening was nothing short of spectacular! It involved stunning visual effects – imagine stage illusions and costumes so intricately designed!
Speaking of costumes, those dancers in 1694, they were all the rage for their style! Their gorgeous costumes would have made even the most modern ballerina envious! Silk jackets adorned with shimmering sequins, delicate gloves embroidered with exquisite details and of course, the perfect knee breeches! Oh, the colours - rich blues, golden yellows, deep crimson and emerald green, just so glorious. They really knew how to put on a show back in those days. But not a single tutu in sight! Even then, I thought, how exciting is that!
During my stay in Paris, I met some absolutely captivating women – these weren’t just your average women, oh no! Imagine, dancers with their own studios - think of all the fabulous and exclusive dance lessons and gatherings, all thanks to the incredible Mademoiselle Anne Brunet, Marie Therèse Lecomte, Mademoiselle d'Arpajon and, my absolute favourite, Mademoiselle Desjardins, who I saw dance a glorious part at the Theatre du Marais. I bet you can’t imagine them waltzing in the most glorious, vibrant silk dresses! How truly inspired! I think it’s amazing, truly extraordinary, how the world of dance was evolving so dynamically – it all had to start somewhere.
And you know me and my love for fashion – and let’s not forget tutus – so of course, I took advantage of this trip to snag a beautiful antique French dance program – just imagine, it was adorned with exquisite engravings, just a bit like a beautiful illustrated storybook. That one will go straight to the pink tutu museum, that's for sure!
As usual, Magic Meg and I are heading off to another time and another ballet spectacle. Oh, how exciting is this adventure?! It's a new world waiting to be discovered. Tune in for next month's Pink Tutu Time Travel for more historical ballet explorations – you know I'm already on the lookout for new stories and fashion discoveries to share with you. Till next time!
Now, here are some amazing places to check out in 1694:
The beautiful Académie Royale de Danse: While ballet is no longer practiced at this venue, you can definitely see remnants of what remains and let your imagination fly with images of the greatest ballet dancers from that period!
The incredible Theatre du Marais: This beautiful theatre still exists – I saw a ballet show, how exciting! The history just seeped out of this remarkable building. Do visit! You never know what hidden gems you will find.
If you're feeling adventurous – go explore Paris itself – after all, 1694 was a beautiful era for French architecture – every corner you turn reveals a grand building from the 17th century.
Don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com – and see for yourself how you can join in my journey through time with my incredible pink tutus!
