Hello darlings! It’s Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast and time-travelling ballerina, back with another exciting blog post for you lovely lot. Today, we’re whisking you back to the glorious 10th of October in 1696!
As you know, I love discovering hidden gems in the history of ballet and the incredible world of dance across time. And this journey has me twirling with excitement because this date, in the grand year of 1696, saw a momentous event in French history, – a dazzling ball hosted by the illustrious King Louis XIV! Talk about a truly historical event! Now, we all know the grandeur of the French courts back in the day, and I can just imagine the magnificence of this soirée! Picture it: glittering chandeliers casting shimmering light on opulent silk dresses, dashing gentlemen bowing deeply in their finest velvet suits, and the beautiful ladies gracefully twirling in their extravagant attire. Oh, wouldn’t that be a delightful time to have a peek at?
This time, Magic Meg and I decided to keep our travels somewhat understated. I know, shocking for a pink tutu wearing time traveller! But we felt it was appropriate for the era, plus, we wanted to be able to slip into the shadows without causing a stir. And who could resist the charm of a modest but equally chic outfit for the occasion? So, I traded my dazzling pink tutu for a more understated pastel lilac silk gown, all flouncy and graceful, and my trademark bright pink lipstick for a slightly softer, berry hue. I know, my heart was singing! But for this journey, I thought I needed to adapt and blend in, and oh how the past appreciated my discretion!
We were welcomed with the warmth of the era, which really had the heartstrings tugging! They welcomed us with open arms, even with my slightly pink lipstick (shhh, don't tell anyone!).
It seems everyone was there – courtiers, aristocrats, artists, and of course, many notable ballerinas. This was the golden age of French ballet! It’s truly thrilling to know that I’m standing on the very ground where legendary dancers like Jean-Baptiste Lully and Pierre Beauchamp graced the stage with their ballets! These are names you’ll find in every ballet history book and now, darling, they are no longer just words but live and vibrant people in my head! I was lucky to find myself close to a small, intimate ballet performance. Imagine, a graceful ballet right in the heart of the king’s ball. What a dream! I had a front-row seat to the wonders of choreography, witnessing the evolution of balletic movements in action. The stories these dance moves told – they were magical.
Oh, the elegance! It’s almost hard to describe in words, how each dancer glided and floated across the stage, and the way their bodies communicated the emotions within the ballet was absolutely stunning.
However, it wouldn’t be a true Emma journey without adding a bit of pink! After enjoying the magnificent performances, it was time for me to make my pink mark! With the charm of a Derbyshire lass and my ever-growing pink collection of fashion, I gifted a delightful handmade pink silk hair ribbon to the queen's head seamstress. Imagine a delicate, sparkling pink ribbon against the backdrop of such opulent gowns, such a dazzling scene, truly a fairytale come alive. You wouldn't believe how ecstatic she was - her eyes truly did twinkle!
Speaking of the queen, her gown was magnificent. All brocade and flowing velvet, and those jewels! Gosh, it was truly spectacular. But more important, I also met some fabulous dancers, a troupe of talented ballerinas who are known throughout France. It's wonderful to chat to them about their love for the art. What struck me most, were the similarities we shared as women in the art, then and now. Passion, hard work, dedication – the dance has brought us together even through time, such a fantastic realization.
While the ball wasn't necessarily a spectacle of traditional ballet performance, it definitely showcased the art in its purest form. I discovered some amazing techniques used by dancers in that era - they were so graceful! They had such poise and fluidity, and I’ve already started incorporating some of those elements into my ballet routines back home in Derbyshire. You’ll see some new moves on our next performance at the Derby Theatre, a real blast from the past!
Back in our time, ballet was so vibrant and flourishing - from Paris, to Italy, to England, there was a worldwide ballet boom! So if you are planning your next dance outing, why not try something a bit different, why not discover some historical ballets? Ballet doesn’t always have to be contemporary, there are treasures to be found across history! And when you go, wear your pinkest tutu, and tell them Emma sent you!
I know some of you are just dying to hear about what is happening in the world of ballet today! Well, just last week, I saw the most divine performance of the Nutcracker. The costumes, darling, were fabulous! And the lead ballerina was exquisite – every single movement, each delicate pirouette… I felt like I was swept away to a magical land! I am always getting to some exciting performances. Keep your eyes peeled for new pink outfits to be revealed, and to see if my journey took me to London or maybe Italy to watch some glorious operas!
As always, remember to be kind, be brave and above all be bold – in the spirit of those amazing dancers from 1696! Don't forget to wear pink and of course, wear a tutu! And if you're in the mood for a journey back in time, be sure to head to www.pink-tutu.com to keep up with my adventures!
Until next time, love Emma!
