Blog Post #474
Hello my gorgeous pink tutu lovers!
It’s Emma here from Derbyshire, your trusty guide to the wonderful world of ballet. This month, Magic Meg and I are taking you on a trip back in time to the 6th of June, 1700! That's right, my dear readers, we're stepping into the 18th century, a time when powdered wigs, grand balls and of course, dancing were all the rage.
Today we’re stepping into the enchanting world of ballet history, and this month we're taking a special trip back to 1700, on a date which feels perfectly suited for ballet! Remember my aim in life is to get everyone wearing a pink tutu - it's my biggest dream!
But don't worry, darling, we're not about to miss out on all the modern magic of our lovely contemporary world. My life is a balance, you see. Ballet history is what I love and the inspiration for my lovely blog, but it’s my performances which help to fund my adventures - I’m a professional dancer you know - but it's fashion, shopping and a fabulous new performance of ‘La Bayadere’ that's calling me, even as I write this. I can’t wait to catch the new production next week.
I must tell you, as I write this I'm already prepping my newest pink tutu! It’s going to be quite an event – a special custom-made, sparkling design and I just know it's going to be perfect for my show! It has layers and layers of tulle, pink rhinestones and silver sparkle netting, all carefully arranged. Of course, the perfect pair of shoes are ready. I don't really know why I love ballet shoes so much – perhaps it’s the soft leather – maybe the pink ribbons or the way they are designed, perfectly, to create perfect extensions.
I hope you’re getting all my ‘pink’ vibes, readers!
Anyway, back to our lovely time-travelling journey… Magic Meg is impatient to gallop – she’s all set and I'm finally ready! Now it’s time for the journey. I love this bit! The rush of wind and fresh air and the tinkling of my horse’s golden shoes, it’s just magic, always.
It's a lovely warm June day when we land back in time. As always, it’s like stepping into a beautiful, vintage, romantic painting - the houses all painted in pastel shades and with lush gardens spilling out onto the streets, beautifully dressed ladies in delicate silks and lace and gentlemen looking like they have just stepped out of a period drama. Oh! I do so love this century – the fashion and the courtly dancing – I think the bows are going to be amazing this century!
We’ve arrived! I am ready to see the dance of this date. I must make a note for my travel rucksack.
Now back to the ballets! What's on in the world of dance on 6th June, 1700 – you ask.
Firstly, I should tell you that this year there isn’t actually a ‘big' event on for ballet this day. It seems there's quite a few events though. There is the most incredible Grand Ball at the Palace, with beautiful court dances and an orchestra of about 40 musicians playing. Lots of formal dancing of the era – waltzing, quadrilles and the like - with a French ballet master called M. d’Arpino leading the performance ( it was all the rage at that time for dancers to study with a French ballet master! ) Then we’ve got the wonderful Italian dancer called Francesco Borgognoni at the Teatro di Corte, a big, grand Venetian opera house which is always a highlight.
There are even ballet classes happening in the gardens of Versailles. These days are a time for serious, formal dance study for the courtiers - and you will find dancing lessons of all kinds from courtier balls to French ballet and courtly dances all taking place across Europe from France to Italy and even London.
However, I feel this era is lacking in the real dance pieces and big ballets we’re used to. This year I think I’ll be giving my travel blog a different slant, and talking about all the big Royal balls which are being hosted – as you know the dancing was really all about the Court at this time so I think we’ll have a ball of a time! We’ll talk more about the fashion, the court dances, the social scene and the Royal Family later, but it’s time to go on a shopping trip – I'm hoping I can find some of the wonderful fabric for my tutu!
*That's all for today's post, readers! Please don’t forget to come and join me on www.pink-tutu.com next month for more magical ballet time travel. *
* I hope you’ve enjoyed the journey! Love you all ! Until next time, darlings! *
*Emma xx *
P.S - I love hearing from you all – send in any suggestions for my ballet adventures!
