Hello darling dears! Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood ballerina blogger from Derbyshire, ready to take you on another fabulous journey through time! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels, where we explore the captivating world of ballet from its beginnings right up to the present day – all while wearing the most fabulous pink tutu, naturally! This month's adventure, our 532nd time travel escapade (can you believe it?!), whisks us back to 4th April 1705, a time when ballet was taking its first tentative steps outside the confines of the French court and into the hearts and minds of the wider European world.
Buckle up, darling, because Magic Meg, my trusty pink sparkling Shire horse with those divine golden hooves and the most exquisite white mane and tail, is itching to get going!
Now, the year 1705 was a time of great excitement for ballet. The French, always the innovators, were creating some stunning new choreographic works, blending elaborate costumes with stunning music and, of course, those graceful, captivating moves that we know and adore! Think shimmering silks and dazzling fabrics in vibrant colours, all swirling around as the dancers pirouetted with such elegance. And the music, oh my darling! Such an incredible mix of Baroque flourishes and graceful melodies - simply divine!
On the ballet scene on 4th April 1705… I could only find a smattering of events going on, though the news does tend to travel slower back then, but let me fill you in on what I managed to dig up…
- Over in Paris: The opera house was brimming with excitement as they debuted the very first ballet opera – now that's a combination I'd love to see! Can you imagine a mix of dramatic music and dance, where the performers are singing and dancing their hearts out?! Simply enchanting! The work was titled Les Fêtes de Thésée – a delightful little title don’t you think? A blend of the ancient and modern - what a brilliant combination! The audience would have been captivated by the combination of theatre, dance and music, making it the perfect night out for a lady and her gentleman escort!
- And just across the Channel: The Royal Opera House in London was presenting The Constant Couple. Not strictly a ballet in our sense of the word, but featuring plenty of dancers and certainly not lacking in spectacular costumes – think big hoop skirts, elaborate hairstyles with plumes and bows and lots and lots of glitter! Just the kind of glamour I adore!
I can imagine the whole scene so clearly, dear readers. The lights of the stage reflecting on those elegant costumes, the audience captivated by every twirl and pirouette – truly an unforgettable night out.
From The Royal Theatre to London's West End The journey to 4th April 1705 allowed me to delve deeper into ballet’s fascinating history. I got to experience firsthand what was then a completely new art form. Imagine being amongst the first to be spellbound by the elegance and grace of ballet – an exclusive experience. It really was such an honour to be a part of this journey, and seeing just how far ballet has travelled from its humble beginnings to today's incredible world-renowned performances.
To learn more about this era I was able to pop into The Royal Theatre (known now as Drury Lane, and not to be confused with the opera house we talked about earlier!). You've got to love those old playbills, all in faded black and white, yet so elegant! It gives you a real sense of the theatre's past and reminds us how important ballet has been for centuries, from that very first time ballet went on show to the world!
Shopping on My Time Travel Journey: I found myself browsing a local bookshop – oh my, the scent of leather and parchment! I snagged a couple of playscripts - one with beautifully hand-painted images of those ornate costumes and all those feathers – the quintessential sign of high fashion.
What did you do this month?
Oh darling, I simply must know! Let's talk about what you've been doing this month in the magical world of ballet. Have you attended a stunning show? Have you gone shopping for a new ballet leotard? Or perhaps, like me, you have been utterly mesmerised by the wonders of our favourite dance form – but this time from a past era! I can't wait to hear your stories!
So, darling dears, don't forget to visit our website www.pink-tutu.com for more ballet adventures. We are, of course, planning more exciting time-travel explorations for next month, so don’t miss out!
Until next time,
Emma, your ever so fabulous Pink Tutu traveller
