Hello lovelies! Emma here, back from another fabulous jaunt through time!
This month's post, number 445, is all about 1st January 1698. It's been a simply delightful journey, and oh, my dears, I've got stories and ballet goodness to share! As always, if you're a regular reader of www.pink-tutu.com, you know the drill: My trusty steed Magic Meg (a truly magical pink Shire horse with golden hooves and a white mane and tail - she makes such a statement!) and I set off to explore the world of ballet through time! This month, my backpack is bursting with snippets of history, gossip, and oh-so-pretty fashions!
My First Port of Call: The Paris Opéra!
It simply had to be Paris! On January 1st, 1698, we landed (after a very stylish gallop) in the heart of Paris. And you won't believe what I found!
The Parisian Opéra, all grandeur and marble, was humming with the excitement of the New Year. Imagine my absolute delight to find a truly sensational ball - a spectacular spectacle of beauty, music, and dancing! I had to get involved!
A World of Courtesans and Ballroom Grace
The Parisian aristocracy danced like dreams! All elegant gowns, powdered wigs, and exquisite jewellery! Men in their elegant suits danced with ladies of the court, while courtesans graced the dancefloor with moves both graceful and alluring. Imagine, the steps might have been different, but the passion and drama of ballet, it was undeniable! I even snagged a few beautiful drawings of the dancers in action - it's my mission to find out more about their unique dance forms!
My 17th-Century Tutu Surprise
The thing is, ballet as we know it was still developing, yet the essence of artistry and expression were already shimmering bright. Even better, they did have something quite remarkable - a little precursor to the tutu. While not exactly pink (they didn't seem to be into those daring hues in the 17th century!), the dancers wore exquisite skirts, like the billowing, ethereal clouds, but gathered and tied at the waist. Imagine! Imagine the swirling movement of these elegant layers!
A Moment in History with Monsieur Lully
You simply can't visit Paris in 1698 without a moment for Monsieur Jean-Baptiste Lully. He was a giant in the world of ballet! Although his grand opera, Armide , had already premiered in 1686, the opera was still very popular, the perfect showcase of dance and spectacle! It's no wonder this man is remembered as a pioneer of ballet - his works were full of beautiful music and dance that told a story.
Lully's Legacy
One of my biggest discoveries on this trip was finding that, even back then, dance was already used as a form of storytelling, a way of transporting audiences to faraway worlds. Imagine a magical performance of Armide right there in the heart of Paris. A dream come true, isn't it? Just a little inspiration for my next big performance...
Finding My 17th-Century Pink Inspiration
Even though the Paris Opéra had not yet discovered pink as a key colour for their dance attire, the inspiration was all around! There was just this whisper of something more, something playful. I decided to seek it out, and the answer was hidden amongst the vibrant fashion shops.
A Dreamy Trip to the Parisian Sewers
(Don't be shocked lovelies! This part is a little cheeky!😉) It seems even the sewers of 17th-century Paris held a little fashion surprise for me. I couldn't help but discover the secret workshops of artisans where silks and laces were being crafted in a multitude of colours! Just a bit more pink would have truly sent this whole world spinning...
What did I do to contribute?
My time in 17th-century Paris would be complete with a performance. Imagine me in a swirling pink tulle tutu, dancing among these Parisian visionaries! My music? Oh darling, it's a mixture of Lully's gorgeous music with some hints of contemporary ballet to just tip my hat to my era! And you know the audience loved it!
*What's New in the World of Ballet Right Now? *
As I settle back home in my Derbyshire cottage, it's a lovely time to get back to my roots and embrace today's ballet world! My heart is overflowing with inspiration and excitement! Here's what I've been loving this month:
- Royal Ballet's Swan Lake : Classic Swan Lake - I saw it on opening night! What a stunning performance! I just had to catch it, and, of course, wear a shimmering pink tulle tutu! The drama, the music, and those iconic white tutus - oh darling, they are just dreamy.
- English National Ballet's Giselle: This performance is a must-see for everyone. The choreography, the passion...simply captivating. The ballerina's grace and the music are captivating! I have so many pink tutu outfits planned for this ballet, as you know, pink is the perfect choice!
The Bolshoi Theatre's Romeo and Juliet: It's a beautiful, emotional story about love and sacrifice, perfectly executed! It’s the perfect inspiration for my ballet collection!
A Final Word from Me to You
Remember darlings, ballet is so much more than graceful movements on a stage! It’s a story, an emotion, and an inspiration. Every single step we take is a dance in some way, isn’t it? I encourage you to try wearing pink! Wear it to ballet classes, or a night out, maybe even on a trip on your favorite pink Shire!
Until next time lovelies, remember that pink is truly the colour for ballet! Let’s go create a whirlwind of fashion together!
XOXO Emma
(P.S: Want to share your ballet dreams and adventures with me? Join my website: www.pink-tutu.com for all the ballet fun!)
