Hello, darlings! Welcome to Pink-Tutu.com! It's your favourite ballerina blogger Emma here, ready to whisk you off on a delightful journey through time. This month, I'm twirling back to the 10th of October, 1700, to see what the world of ballet looked like back then. And wouldn’t you know it, my dear, I had a smashing time!
Now, you know I adore pink, tutus, and all things ballet, but it’s the magic of travelling through time with my gorgeous pink sparkly shire horse, Magic Meg, that really gets me excited! This time, I chose a fluffy, pale pink tulle tutu and a vintage corsage that matched my travelling dress. You wouldn't believe the gorgeous blooms on show in 1700, they're positively breathtaking! And my rucksack? Packed with notepads, pencils, and my trusty pair of ballet shoes! I’m a firm believer in being prepared, darling, even when you're time-travelling!
So, grab your tea, put your feet up, and get ready for some historical insights as we explore the captivating world of ballet in the year 1700!
A Peek at the 18th Century: A World on the Cusp
Landing in 1700 felt like a magical leap back to the elegant days of powdered wigs, grand ballrooms, and... yes, the very beginning of ballet as we know it! It wasn’t a perfect picture – this was a time when men reigned supreme in the art of ballet. It felt quite curious, my dear, a world where women weren’t dancing their hearts out, with no graceful figures soaring across the stage in gorgeous pink tutus like yours truly. But, there were a few bright sparks in this historical panorama.
The Royal Ballet, for instance, had been around for nearly half a century. A glorious spectacle indeed, showcasing stories and performances in French! Now, let’s just say French was still a big mystery for this humble ballerina back then, and so my dear horse Magic Meg decided to translate for me. Talk about a well-mannered equine!
The ballets, however, were much grander than I was expecting, with more complex footwork than a simple waltz or pas de bourrée! Ballet had started to truly flourish, evolving beyond the simple courtly dances that first put it on the map. I felt the thrill of the era's passion, excitement and, a tiny touch, the melancholy of missing their most celebrated dancers - the beautiful Louis Dupré, Marie Camargo and Jean-Baptiste Lully. A dance with one of these gentlemen was at the top of my wish-list, but alas! They’d long retired from the stage and disappeared from this timeline!
The Dance of Fashion in 1700
Don't worry darlings, I was still able to indulge in the delightful world of ballet fashion even though pink tutus were decidedly absent from the scene! Back in the early 1700s, ladies danced in skirts - oh, imagine a twirling whirlwind of satins and silks! They also had the most divine shoes - with high heels and intricate embellishments - perfectly crafted to create beautiful footwork and give dancers that elegant silhouette. Imagine the glamour!
I confess I’m utterly fascinated by historical dance costumes, their designs and textures, and just how much things have evolved since this era. Today, our dance wear is about function and athleticism. The styles have certainly been inspired by this earlier era of intricate artistry, and there are definitely echoes of the 1700’s grace and poise in ballet performances. It just goes to show that ballet is all about finding the perfect balance between beauty, strength, and fluidity, no matter what era you're in!
Dancing on a Historical Stage
Imagine, my dears, watching dancers who'd never seen a pink tutu in their lives! When I travel, I often stop to talk to local residents to find out more about their lives and their loves, which sometimes gets a little awkward, my dear!
For instance, last time, I spent a delightful hour talking to the local blacksmith in a sleepy village about what it felt like to create shoes for the ballerinas, he was charming - he told me he preferred shoes made for ladies’ feet as the angles are quite elegant compared to men’s shoes which often have thick, rather sturdy toes, I found it very funny!
Now, that's a secret about dancing in 1700, my dears. Those shoes they wore - they really were a thing of beauty! They might have taken ages to lace up (imagine!) but oh, the exquisite footwork that sprang from the very souls of these men. It truly felt like a historical ballet!
Emma’s Favourite Find from 1700
I love my time travels but they are about more than just history; they are about finding treasures! As you know, I keep everything in my special leather rucksack! On this trip, I snagged the loveliest little velvet pouch with an inscription that spoke of the dancers of a long-gone troupe in Marseilles. There is so much we have yet to learn, darlings! What do they tell about the art of ballet? And can they help us reconstruct the choreography? My little pouch has me digging deep into ballet archives and historical societies. It is an exciting challenge to piece together the missing jigsaw puzzle of a forgotten era. It's like unearthing hidden treasures, like an actual princess. And all this from just a little pouch!
Time to Go - Farewell From Your Time-Traveling Ballerina
My dears, I am going to be off. A very special performance is happening on October 10th, 1700 at the Parisian opera - it seems it will be filled with music and some very intricate choreography I just cannot wait to see it! But, alas, that is all the time I have to chat about our journey into the past.
So, get your tutus, gather your loved ones and don't forget, every time is the perfect time for ballet! You know my dream is to have everyone wearing a pink tutu. It will take time my dears! I will keep you updated! Remember to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, and all of our other fabulous social media channels. Until next month darlings, Happy twirling!
Emma xx
ThePinkTutu.com
P.S. If you’re ever in Derbyshire you are welcome to pop over for a cuppa and a chat.
