Hello my darling tutu lovers! It's Emma here, back with another fabulous post from my adventures through ballet history! This month, I've whisked myself back to the glorious era of powdered wigs and courtly dances, September 9th, 1701, to be precise. Grab your pinkest tutu and let's journey together!
Now, this was a time when ballet was firmly rooted in the French court, an elegant and refined spectacle enjoyed by the aristocracy. Fancy steps, elaborate costumes, and intricate choreography were the order of the day, a far cry from the dynamic, athletic performances we see today.
But you know me, I adore discovering the roots of our beloved art form! So, I set off on Magic Meg, my trusty pink sparkling Shire with her golden hooves and flowing white mane. We arrived in Versailles, the grandest palace in Europe, where the ballet world was humming with excitement.
Imagine, my dears, being whisked away in my shimmering pink tutu amongst courtiers, their elaborate attire dripping in jewels and silk. It was all so dazzling! King Louis XIV, known as the Sun King, himself was a huge fan of ballet and a proficient dancer. The era saw the development of what we know as "ballet d'action," a ballet with a plot and characters. This meant costumes began to be more elaborate, as they helped tell the story. Talk about early performance art!
I managed to sneak into a private performance, hidden behind a magnificent tapestry, just as the grand ballroom doors opened. The royal orchestra was warming up, a cacophony of strings and trumpets. I can still feel the thrill as the dancers, in their billowing silk dresses, began their slow, graceful movements. Imagine a graceful waltz, interspersed with elegant poses and delicate leaps. It was sheer poetry in motion!
My heart nearly burst with joy as I glimpsed a few familiar figures from the ballet world: the famous Mademoiselle de Lafontaine, known for her impeccable technique, and the ever-charming Monsieur Pécour, famed for his impressive athleticism.
While the ballet itself was captivating, it was the incredible fashion that truly stole the show. Imagine ladies in powdered wigs, cascading down their backs like a delicate waterfall. Their dresses were draped in layers of silk and velvet, embellished with intricate lace and sparkling jewels. The gentlemen were just as flamboyant, decked out in silk stockings, buckled shoes, and ruffled shirts. Talk about haute couture!
After the performance, I, of course, couldn't resist a little ballet shopping spree. I managed to snag a beautiful embroidered handkerchief, adorned with a charming dance scene, and a pair of miniature dance slippers, perfect for my collection. These treasures will be tucked into my leather rucksack, a memento of my time travelling adventures!
Let's Talk Tutu-rific History:
- 1701: This year, Pierre Beauchamp, the Royal Dance Master of France, published "Nouveau Systeme de Choregraphie" – a ground-breaking ballet guide, which outlined codified ballet steps and dance notation, becoming a bible for dancers. Imagine, all that information documented for future generations of dancers, just like how we write and blog today!
- September 9th, 1701: This day marks the birthday of the influential ballet master, Pierre Beauchamps! Imagine a ballet birthday party fit for a king! It's also the birthday of the great composer, Johann Sebastian Bach – we all know his gorgeous melodies! And, of course, I’ll be popping into London, a stone’s throw from Derbyshire, for a ballet class and a performance!
Remember, dear readers, it's not just the artistry of dance but the spirit of expression that defines ballet! We must never lose that spark of joy and passion for movement and music. Keep those tutus twirling and your spirits high, because dancing is always a beautiful journey.
Don't forget to check out my website at www.pink-tutu.com for more ballet history adventures!
With a big, pink, twirling kiss!
Emma 💖✨🩰
P.S. This blog post is the 489th in my ongoing ballet time-travelling chronicles! Who knew so much happened in ballet history?! Stay tuned for more exciting adventures, next month I'll be heading to the era of Romantic ballet, and that's going to be extra-special. I can't wait to share with you all.
