Hello, darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballerina, ready to whisk you off on another fabulous journey! It's the first of January, and as ever, I'm thrilled to be sharing another dazzling slice of ballet history with you on my beloved www.pink-tutu.com.
This month, I'm diving deep into the swirling elegance of the 1st January, 1706! Imagine, if you will, stepping out of my time machine (aka my dear, sparkling-pink, Shire horse named Magic Meg) onto the cobbled streets of 18th-century London. The air would be crisp, tinged with the faint scent of chimney smoke, and the elegant gentlemen in their powdered wigs would be making their way to court or the theatre, ready to be dazzled by the latest fashions.
But wait! What's this? Today is a rather special day for the world of ballet! January 1st 1706 marked the birthday of Marie Sallé! A name that might not be as instantly recognizable as Pavlova or Nijinsky, but a dancer who left an indelible mark on ballet history. Sallé was known for her stunning artistry, particularly for her expressiveness and her dramatic storytelling through movement. It’s thought she even helped pave the way for ballet as an artform on its own, bringing it away from its courtly origins and into the hearts of the people!
Now, picture it – the vibrant Parisian scene! Marie Sallé performing on the grand stage, her elegant form weaving a tapestry of emotion and grace, a perfect marriage of form and movement, a true vision of artistic brilliance! She was a real innovator, challenging the traditional ballet, adding an element of "acting" through her use of facial expression, movement and gestures. She challenged the status quo, wearing her hair loose, discarding the traditional heavy skirts and performing barefoot - what a bold move! Her "naturalness" paved the way for the dramatic romantic ballet styles which evolved in the next few years.
Imagine my delight! To find a story that was both utterly inspiring, and brimming with excitement and style - just like my favourite colour, pink! This is a beautiful reminder that the ballet world is a treasure chest filled with stories of pioneers who helped shape our artform into what it is today! So, let's celebrate those innovators! And let’s take a moment to remember that sometimes the smallest steps can make the biggest differences!
I'll leave you to imagine my little dance with Marie in that historical Parisian theater! What do you think we'd dance to, darlings?
Of course, my lovely readers, there's a bit more to tell you about my latest time travel adventure. Remember that cute leather rucksack I always have on my back? I pack it full of wonderful treasures and stories from each era I visit - just for you!
This time, I was lucky enough to find an old ballet slipper from Marie Sallé’s time, adorned with delicate floral details – imagine how luxurious these were back then! I imagine they'd have cost a fortune. I also managed to sneak in some sketches of costumes she might have worn, with such beautiful panniers!
What else? In my last time-travelling adventure, I was lucky enough to bump into a young Jean-Georges Noverre, known for being the ‘father of ballet’! Well, imagine my delight to see his innovative ideas in action – he'd already begun sketching his famous "ballet d'action" – ballet that would incorporate dramatic elements from opera. Now, he'd clearly not thought of pink tutus - which would, of course, have completely transformed ballet! He’s now a permanent fixture on my ‘pink tutu' to-do list!
Back to the 1st of January, 1706 – there's always a chance to find some lovely gems when you go time travelling - that's the beauty of my adventures! Today I came across some lovely antique pieces from London and Paris! There was a delicate china figurine of a graceful ballerina in an elegant silk dress - very Marie Sallé-ish! And some exquisitely crafted costume jewelry made from silver and pearls that would be perfectly fitting for ballet dancers today. Oh, and for all you vintage fashion lovers, I came across an incredibly elegant gown from 1706 - an original - just gorgeous, with delicate lace and pastel blue hues, almost an early nod to the famous tutu styles to come.
I had a grand time, as always, on this journey. And before you go, darlings, I must leave you with my biggest wish. It is, of course, to inspire everyone - everywhere, to embrace the joy of ballet! Just think - everyone in the world wearing a pink tutu... oh wouldn't that be magical!
So, what will we dance to in this glorious, vibrant new year? Tell me everything, lovely darlings. Where will my next ballet time travel adventure take me? Comment below!
Love, Emma
P.S My dear Magic Meg and I are busy preparing for my grand gala in Derbyshire - so keep a lookout for details! It will be the pinkest most exciting ballet performance yet - a spectacle!
