Hello darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina! I hope this post finds you twirling with joy.
This month, my trusty steed, Magic Meg (she’s a sparkling pink Shire with a white mane and tail, of course), has galloped us right into the heart of May 1699! Imagine it - bustling markets, elegant coaches, and the whispers of a new era dawning on the world of dance.
We’re in Derbyshire, England, which, if you’re as keen on ballet history as me, you know was an important hub for dance. Why, just this year, the esteemed Mr. John Weaver opened his Dancing Master Academy in London! Talk about the dawn of professional ballet!
And wouldn't you know it, the Royal Academy of Music was established in this very month too! My pink tutu practically started shimmering! They don’t teach ballet yet (and the thought of a tutu back then makes me giggle - just picture it!), but this is a big moment in the world of music and shows that there was a shift towards organised artistry and training.
Speaking of music, that is a large part of how the French influence on ballet was starting to gain popularity. Ballet, with its elegant steps and refined movements, was still in its early days and I can already imagine all the whispers of change coming about. Can you imagine being there and feeling the ground shift? Oh, darling, to be a fly on the wall at these crucial meetings of dance masters and their eager students!
I have to admit, this trip was a bit of a shopping spree! France was leading the fashion trend, especially when it came to shoes. (What’s a ballet class without a pair of stylish slippers, right? ) It seems that they had high heels in Paris as early as 1650 - so even if not strictly ballet shoes, there is always inspiration for a new style to take the stage! The design of ladies’ shoes is something I have collected a few examples of.
And, speaking of design, ballet clothes themselves were evolving! Yes, the concept of tutus might still be decades away, but those bodices and dresses are practically calling out to me to twirl in them. What’s better than a pink-tinged ballet outfit, my lovelies?
What truly makes my heart flutter about this time, though, are the tales I’m collecting for my next ballet piece. My new rucksack, made of the finest leather, is bursting with anecdotes of Parisian dancing masters, whispers of the opera, and notes on how music, art, and dance were becoming intertwined. I’ve already started to picture it all – a ballet that dances between eras, highlighting the connections between all these artistic expressions.
So, my sweet readers, while the official term “ballet” might not be used yet, dance was very much alive! And as I’ve often said, ballet isn’t just about steps – it's about expression, story, and connection. This era was teeming with creative energy. They weren’t quite using our modern ballet terminology, but oh how they were dancing with heart! It is in times like this, watching these roots take hold, that we realise what an important journey we are part of in the ballet world.
What will May 1699 bring to my repertoire, I wonder? My head is already bursting with ideas for the next ballet class – who knows what exciting steps and moves will be sparked from this journey?
Remember, my dears, life is a dance, and every moment is a chance to twirl!
Don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com and join me for another trip into the wondrous history of ballet. And who knows, perhaps one day, the world will be swirling in the delightful hues of pink tutus!
Until next time, darlings!
Emma x
P.S. What do you think of this pink silk sash I found at a Paris marketplace? Perhaps I’ll design a tutu around it. It matches my new shoes perfectly, if I say so myself.
