Hello, my darling tutu-loving lovelies! It’s Emma, your favourite time-travelling ballerina, here with another whirlwind trip through the glorious history of our beloved ballet!
This month, I'm hopping aboard Magic Meg (yes, my trusty pink shire horse with the golden hooves still knows how to teleport us through time!) for a journey to a very special date: 10th October 1698!
The air crackles with excitement as we land in London. The cobblestone streets, the grand houses, the bustling crowds... all smell of a bygone era! The energy is electric.
The theatre world was in its pomp, especially with the King’s Theatre, built in 1671. Back then, opera was the rage, and ballet, though loved, was largely considered a part of the opulent, grand operatic performances. This was a time of elaborate, Baroque designs – a perfect match for my love of dramatic tutus, darling!
As I settle into a charming little tea room with Magic Meg patiently waiting outside, I peek into my rucksack, my trusty travel companion overflowing with my latest treasures. There's a faded pamphlet advertising a play at the King’s Theatre and a little scrap of lace – just imagine the beautiful gowns they’d be wearing!
Now, to get a sense of the ballet world in 1698, imagine a style less focused on intricate choreography and more on grandeur and visual spectacle. Think graceful movements and dramatic postures combined with beautiful costumes – just what my heart desires! I hear there were incredible dances at the King’s Theatre, often featuring acrobatic feats, which made the dance more entertaining and visually captivating. My darling, I can just imagine the extravagant tutus, maybe adorned with sequins, feather plumes and silk flowers - simply exquisite!
The Royal Court held a certain allure, as ballet was enjoyed by the elite, performed by French dancers known for their refinement. One prominent figure who stood out during this era was the French choreographer, Nicolas de La Haye. Known for his refined dances, he was part of a collective of talented choreographers and dancers working for the French Royal Ballet. You can't help but feel connected to them across centuries – their passion and artistry were just as strong then as it is now!
In this era, French dancers were seen as masters of their craft and held great sway over ballet trends. Their artistry would forever influence the future of ballet, influencing even me, in this era, and across the decades that have come since. Imagine the stories their intricate choreography told and the stories we have only just started to rediscover. We could learn so much from their style and artistry if we were just lucky enough to see them perform, couldn’t we?
Even though ballet wasn't quite as developed as it is today, my dear tutu enthusiasts, just imagine the magic of witnessing the earliest ballet creations, the dances that laid the foundation for the artistry we enjoy today. It makes me want to skip and leap across these cobblestone streets, twirling and twirling, as I lose myself in this historic time, a true time traveller on a journey through time.
After my visit to this enchanting era, I can’t help but be reminded that ballet isn’t just a beautiful dance. It’s a language that connects people across time. And I hope that you are with me on my next journey in this month's blog!
P.S.: If you are inspired to try on a pink tutu this week, please do! My lovely, loving followers, this is your reminder to make a little space for some sparkly fun! You never know when the time might be right to add a little bit of time travel to your day!
And that, my dearest tutu lovers, is another fantastic journey from your pink-loving ballerina. Until next time, keep on twirling! See you soon at www.pink-tutu.com !
Love, Emma xoxo
