Hello lovelies! It's Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing ballet time traveler, and welcome back to another exciting month on Pink-Tutu.com! I'm back with another incredible story from my whirlwind journey through time. This time, we're stepping back to the early 18th century, all the way to March 1703, specifically!
This month's adventure is truly special. We're going to delve into a time before the ballet as we know it today existed ā before the pointe shoes and the tutus we see in all their glory now! But don't worry, it's a fascinating trip all the same! Imagine ballet as a more informal performance ā theatrical and elegant, yet infused with the energy and grandeur of the French court. Itās like a ballet ball where everyone joins in with improvised moves, making it truly a "time for a twirl".
This trip is even more exciting because it's been so long since my trusty, magical Meg has trotted through history! Meg, for those who donāt know, is a majestic pink sparkling Shire horse with golden hooves, a magnificent white mane, and a tail as fluffy as a cloud. Sheās my chariot of time! I just can't wait to see what she's unearthed for us this month!
Speaking of magnificent things, have you seen the latest tutu collection at Ballet Boutique? It's an explosion of pink, darling! We need more pink tutus out there, people! I've been seeing some wonderful outfits in ballet schools in Derbyshire, so that's promising. Weāll have all of us twirling around in them soon enough!
But enough about the fashion, it's time for our history lesson, darling! Itās March 1703. As the calendar flips to spring, let's journey back to Paris, the heart of European theatre! We are venturing to the Palais Royal ā a sprawling architectural complex bursting with life and theatrical events.
You won't find ballerinas pirouetting in the Palais Royal just yet. Ballet in its purest form as we know it isnāt born for another couple of decades. Think about it: there are still so many amazing dance stories to be written, so many tutus yet to be worn! That doesn't mean there wasn't a strong dance scene already flourishing though.
Imagine an age of elegant courtly dances! Imagine these incredible dances interwoven with acting, songs, and beautiful costumes. That's the magic that was drawing crowds to the Palais Royal. These performances, referred to as "comƩdies-ballets", were not quite what we think of as ballet today, but a sort of theatrical masterpiece with dance as a vibrant component!
My friend, the renowned ballet historian Professor Pierre, gave me a tour around this remarkable complex just last week. He mentioned some iconic dance routines during that era: āThe Triumph of Loveā, a ballet about romance and destiny! Can you just imagine how those scenes must have unfolded in front of an enthralled audience? It's exciting, isnāt it, to be in this place just as it begins its journey towards the world of ballet as we know it.
And, you know me, darling, I just HAD to see these historical treasures firsthand! After securing tickets to the āBallet de la Fontaine dāAmourā, which I hear had beautiful choreographic flourishes with an abundance of vibrant costumes! I'm thinking bright yellows and shimmering blues, the whole Parisian theatre style at its best.
And hereās where our magnificent Meg truly shone! After our performance at the Opera House in Paris, it was back to our little spot at the back of the stage! I simply wouldnāt leave such precious props and memorabilia behind! Meg stood like a true theatrical hero, patiently waiting for the grand finale ā my secret way back to our little patch of history, so I can keep those magical treasures for all of you! And we just dashed off at the end of the play, Meg trotting across the night as gracefully as a dancer.
Oh, the memories! From those gorgeous costumes ā think silk and satin, draped and swathed in elaborate embellishments, with intricate beading, and sequins! So much glitz and glamour! These costumes werenāt meant just for twirling. They were about the movement, the elegance, and the allure. And even though ballet wouldnāt develop into its modern form for another 30 or 40 years, the seeds of these artistic flourishes are right there ā ready to blossom!
Now, what else did I see? What could I steal, I mean what could I respectfully collect for Pink-Tutu.com?
Of course, the dance itself was inspiring. I snagged an original handwritten copy of an instruction manual called "Dancing Master". The writing was elegant, and I simply had to capture a photo of this magical treasure.
My rucksack is getting so full of ballet history! But there is always room for a few more treasured items, darling, as I journey through this fantastical world! Just a quick update for all you wonderful followers, I managed to capture some authentic sketches of costumes ā exquisite silhouettes with vibrant colours that I am saving for you, darling! I even captured a precious document about one of the grand events, a theatrical event which was attended by King Louis the 14th himself. Just think about all those incredible dances around the royal court ā it's simply divine, isn't it?
As you can imagine, my heart is overflowing with inspiration. Just seeing how the roots of our modern ballet traditions are planted firmly in this elegant and vibrant period is captivating!
Remember darling, these are just snippets from my amazing adventures through time. The true magic unfolds when you immerse yourself in the rich and diverse history of ballet. I invite you all to visit my gallery of ballet pictures, darling! You can find all the breathtaking historical details, stories, and pictures from my journey at Pink-Tutu.com. Come and explore our extraordinary ballet history!
My next trip? It's a mystery! It's a delightful surprise, waiting for both me and Meg. I promise it will be filled with incredible tales from balletās vibrant past.
Until next time, darling!
And remember: Always twirl in style. It's all about a little sparkle and a whole lot of pink!
Yours truly,
Emma.
Pink-Tutu.com: www.pink-tutu.com
P.S.: Did you catch our Pink-Tutu-sponsored event at the London Ballet Company? The audience erupted with applause at the end. It felt magical to share my love of ballet and bring those glorious tutus into the limelight! Oh, and don't forget to follow us on Instagram and Pinterest! It's Pink-Tutu.com everywhere! Let's keep this ballet fashion revolution going. Remember to twirl!
