Post 477 - www.pink-tutu.com
Hello my darling tutu-loving friends! It's Emma here, back from another amazing ballet-tastic time travel adventure, and let me tell you, September 1700 was a real treat! You've no idea how excited I was to visit the dawn of the 18th century. Just imagine - the courtly grandeur of King Louis XIV in full swing, powdered wigs, the rise of the first ballets… It was truly magical.
This month, Magic Meg (my gorgeous pink, shimmering Shire with her golden hooves and cascading white mane and tail, of course!) took us on a gallop through the cobbled streets of Paris. We stopped for a cup of tea and a warm croissant (okay, perhaps not quite those delicacies, but it felt like that!), before making our way to the Palace of Versailles. You've GOT to see the splendour of this palace – it's like something out of a fairytale, complete with exquisite gardens and magnificent fountains! And speaking of splendour, you should have seen the dazzling outfits! They were adorned with sparkling jewels and intricate patterns, and the women's headdresses were absolutely breathtaking!
But back to the ballet. You see, my dear tutu lovers, in the early 1700s, ballet was starting to transform. Before this period, ballet was really more about dances at court, more like an elegant party. But around this time, it was starting to become more theatrical and captivating! Imagine that! Stories coming to life on stage through the magic of movement and music, instead of just fancy footwork for royalty.
One of the most important figures in this evolving ballet world was Pierre Beauchamp. Now, this chap, a brilliant dancer and choreographer, had a lot to do with setting up ballet as we know it today! He was actually Louis XIV's personal dance master, and together they worked on shaping those important steps we see in ballet classes even today. Imagine getting to dance with royalty and helping invent what everyone is still using now! That’s an epic ballet achievement for anyone, right?
I was able to get a sneak peek of a "ballet d’action", one of the first stories in dance form. Honestly, it was like looking into a treasure chest! The choreography was intricate and fluid, with lots of jumps and elegant poses. Even though the stories weren’t full blown narratives just yet, the beauty of the movements, the artistry, was a sight to behold! And you know what? Seeing the beginnings of this art form just fills me with even more love for ballet! It’s really important to know your roots in ballet!
After soaking up the Parisian ambiance, we hopped back onto Magic Meg (she loves ballet, she even sniffs out interesting costume details, ha!) and took a trip to a small village nestled among the French countryside. Now, it’s always great to remember that ballet wasn’t always a Parisian phenomenon.
As we meandered through the village, we heard a group of young villagers, all decked out in their finest ribbons and bright colors, practicing traditional dances. Oh my goodness, they were just absolutely beautiful! You can see where ballet’s roots came from, in the joyous movements and the grace of their dances! And even without tutus, their passion for dancing was truly inspiring!
Now, of course, I couldn't let a trip to France go by without a little bit of shopping! I just had to have a look around, and you won't believe what I found. A tiny shop hidden in the depths of a dusty old market – it had an incredible selection of exquisite fabrics! My dear friends, these silks, they were so exquisite! They would make the most fabulous tutu! (But let's face it, any tutu made from those beautiful silks would be incredibly extravagant - my wallet is cringing just thinking about it!)
The trip was brimming with inspiration, my friends! Seeing how ballet was evolving in 1700 filled me with excitement, especially for the world of ballet today. But my biggest wish is still for you to step out in a pink tutu – and embrace your inner ballerina! It doesn't matter if you're just dancing in your living room, or performing on a stage. It’s the passion and the joy that count!
So there you have it – my September 1700 journey! Do make sure to check back next month for another exciting ballet-filled escapade. I have a feeling I'm going to be landing in a very exciting period of ballet history!
Don't forget to share your own ballet stories in the comments! And don't forget to dance your hearts out – with or without a pink tutu!
See you next month, darling tutu-loving friends!
With a twirl and a skip,
Emma.
