Hello darlings, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travel! It's Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-clad ballerina extraordinaire, ready to whisk you away to another era. This month, we're waltzing back to April 4th, 1698, a date that holds a special significance for the ballet world. Buckle up, darlings, because we're going to France, to the heart of where ballet was born!
As you know, I adore all things ballet, but there's something truly magical about the very beginnings, the whispers of a dance form just finding its voice. This month, I wanted to take you on a trip back in time to explore the world of ballet during a very exciting year for French dance. Now, grab a cuppa and settle in, as we're going on an adventure!
Time travel? It's as simple as a pink sparkling horse called Meg!
You all know that I don't have the time to fuss with those complicated contraptions and gizmos other time travellers use. A horse is my way to travel - my own personal, shimmering shire named Meg. She’s a picture of elegance, draped in a silky white mane and tail, her coat a glorious pink sparkle and those beautiful golden hooves are perfect for any cobblestone street! We love travelling together, and she patiently waits as I go shopping, adding my little souvenirs to the big, brown, leather rucksack on my back. I make sure Meg gets the finest sugar cubes from every time period - she deserves only the best for all that she does for me.
This month, Meg trotted me right into the heart of 17th-century France. Can you imagine? I landed smack-dab in Paris! Imagine the cobblestones, the charming cafes with their wicker chairs, and the bustling streets alive with people. The fashion, oh, my dear readers, was quite the sight to behold! The men were in powdered wigs and knee-length breeches, and the ladies were adorned in voluminous gowns and lavish wigs, which were practically like miniature works of art. I practically wanted to run around shouting "Look at me, look at my fabulous outfit!" But being an ambassador of Pink Tutu Time Travel, I have to be a bit more... refined!
But that was just the surface of this journey, darling! This trip brought us to the Paris Opera, where a historic event was brewing, one that would forever alter the landscape of ballet.
Enter Monsieur Lully:
You might already be familiar with the name, Jean-Baptiste Lully, the esteemed composer who ruled the French music scene. He was the darling of King Louis XIV himself, creating music for operas, court ballets, and even pieces specifically written for the king's lavish festivities. It's in 1698, in the opulent Palais Royal, that Lully is working on his masterpiece - a "tragédie en musique" – Armide. Armide is said to be the first opera-ballet with true dramatic depth, and its birth took place right under my very nose!
And what does an operetta require? An elaborate, dazzling cast of singers and, you guessed it, dancers! This is where the true magic of this trip happened. Now, let me tell you, while ballet did exist before this moment in time, the court ballets at that point weren’t considered 'art' per se, more like fancy pageantry for royalty. But Armide showcased an entirely new form of artistic expression, where the dancing wasn’t just for decoration – it was a crucial part of the story. The dance in Armide, was not only gorgeous and elegant, but it became an expressive form of storytelling.
Isn’t that simply thrilling? Just think, my dear readers, while many dance forms like traditional folk dances and ballroom dancing have always been a part of culture, right there in Paris, a brand new way of dancing, a beautiful form of movement and storytelling was born! I’m sure Lully, in all his magnificence, could never have imagined the impact his Armide would have on the future of dance, wouldn’t he?
My research revealed that, unlike our contemporary ballets, where the dancers are often barefooted, they danced in soft slippers back then. The ballerinas of Armide wore beautiful, long gowns in shimmering colours that swept gracefully with their movements. There were lots of jumps, leaps, and flourishes in their routines, but they lacked some of the more complex, technical, pirouette-style turns we're familiar with today.
Oh, and what about those tutus, you ask?
Well, the ballerina outfits were nothing like our adorable pink tutus, unfortunately. They were quite grand and layered with lavish silks, embroidery, and decorative jewels, which looked truly magnificent, if you ask me. But just think, in that same Paris, we have our roots! Every beautiful costume, every breathtaking jump, every stunning performance in the Armide opera, helped to sow the seeds of ballet as we know it.
My, my! This was an eventful journey back in time, with history coming to life right in front of my eyes!
As I said, I’m not just about the ballet; it’s also about fashion! And Paris in the 17th century was a fashionista’s dream. I just adored all the ladies in their huge wigs, perfectly curled, and powdered white to create that amazing 'puffed out' effect. I had to have some powder for my hair of course – I just had to give the look a go, even if it did feel quite sticky. But nothing beats a fashionable new look, right? There was an array of silks, ribbons, and feathers everywhere you looked, the fashion truly mirrored the time. I managed to sneak in a bit of ballet-themed shopping too. There are some lovely vintage brooches to add to my collection that I found in a charming Parisian shop. And of course, some elegant ballet books for my library!
Now, that was quite the trip, and I can’t wait to tell you about my next journey! I have to admit, I’m quite pleased that a ballerina's journey is so much more than dancing.
And as always, don't forget to subscribe to www.pink-tutu.com for the next instalment! If you see me about, give me a wave.
Until then, my lovelies, don't forget, it’s always time to twirl and embrace the pink tutu lifestyle.
XOXO,
Emma.
