Hello my darling tutu-loving friends! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travel, where we explore the world of ballet throughout history! This month, we're setting our time machine - Magic Meg, my stunning pink shimmering shire horse with those golden hooves and glorious mane, to 7th July 1697! It's a big one, my dears, so buckle up for some ballet magic.
As a Derbyshire girl, I love a bit of history, and I was absolutely tickled pink when I realised what was happening in the world of dance this very date! Why, in 1697, in Paris, we had the opening of the very first public ballet school, the "Académie Royale de Danse" - and oh, the tutu-tastic news doesn't end there! The grand opening was marked by a performance of "L'amour vainqueur", which featured a double tutu creation by a fellow dance enthusiast - Monsieur Beauchamps, who would become a prominent figure in the ballet world.
Imagine, my darlings, two tutus on stage, swirling, twirling and showing off all the beauty of dance! I bet there were gasps, cheers and applause! This was a revolutionary time for ballet, a time of growth and new ideas - and to be a part of it, if only through my little time-traveling adventures, makes my heart pirouette with joy!
Now, for any of my readers planning a 17th century adventure (which I fully recommend), you should know this. The original tutu, or 'tutu', as it was called then, wasn't the puffy, beautiful creation we love today. This version, the first 'tutu', was much longer and resembled a skirt - just a smidge less fabulous, if you ask me, but a magnificent starting point! My darling readers, we owe it to Monsieur Beauchamps for setting this iconic fashion statement on its course to tutu-tastic greatness.
Now, onto the rest of my travels this month! As I gallop through the cobbled streets of Paris, the city buzzing with excitement, I take in the vibrant spectacle - it's amazing how things have changed, yet how familiar some things still are! You see, even back in the 17th century, everyone loved a good show, and you can tell how exciting this time period is for the world of dance. Imagine all the talent, creativity, and artistry bubbling under the surface! It makes me excited for all the future discoveries, developments, and magnificent moves yet to be created!
Oh, and wouldn't you know it, my darling friends, while exploring a quaint Parisian market, I found a fabulous antique, a beautifully aged ballet book from the 17th century! Filled with fascinating notes about dancers, dances, and the growing love for the artform - I added it to my leather rucksack right away! Every time travel trip yields little treasures like this, reminding me of the rich history that's part of our wonderful ballet world.
So, dear friends, as you twirl and pirouette your way through the week, take a moment to think about Monsieur Beauchamps, and the pioneering spirit of the "Académie Royale de Danse"! Think of the double tutu magic, the exciting start of this amazing institution and its lasting influence on ballet history. You can channel your own inner history buff with every arabesque and chassé, because, dear friends, the past, present, and future of dance are interconnected! And that, my dears, is why I live by my favourite mantra: Wear your tutu with confidence, embrace the beauty of every time period, and let the joy of dance fill your days! Until next month, may your tutus twirl high and your pirouettes be flawless!
Yours in tutus,
Emma
Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com to browse the whole collection of Pink Tutu Time Travel! And to support the blog, do come see my latest ballet performance. All my profits fund my time travel adventures and you never know, you might just inspire my next historical adventure!
