Hello my dearest tutu-loving friends! It's your favourite pink-obsessed ballerina, Emma, back with another exciting adventure from the world of ballet history. This time, Magic Meg and I took a leap back to 1709, July the 7th, to witness something truly magnificent – the world premiere of “The Judgement of Paris”. I'm so excited to share all the fascinating details with you!
I'll admit, stepping into that era was a bit of a culture shock. Can you imagine a world without ballet classes?! Or pink tutus for that matter?! I mean, even the fashion of the day was a bit muted compared to my sparkly world. However, as I began exploring, I quickly realized that beneath the surface, a vibrant ballet scene was brewing.
The Ballet Boom of 1709
While the world was abuzz with political changes and dramatic historical events, the ballet scene was in a frenzy too. In Paris, a young, flamboyant choreographer called Jean-Baptiste Lully was pushing the boundaries of dance with his groundbreaking work. It was actually his music that truly grabbed my attention - he incorporated French opera and theatre styles, adding a unique dynamism to ballet performances.
On the 7th of July, 1709, I arrived just in time for the much-anticipated world premiere of “The Judgement of Paris.” Imagine a full court theatre bursting with laughter and anticipation, as this ballet about the infamous choice of beauty – between Aphrodite, Hera, and Athena - unfolded. It was such an elegant story about jealousy and vanity with beautiful costume designs! Sadly, my little rucksack only has space for so much so I only brought back a sketch of one of the costumes, you'll have to imagine the opulence and grandeur.
Meeting A True Dance Icon:
But the highlight of my trip was meeting Jean-Baptiste Lully himself. He was a truly fascinating man, radiating passion and creativity! I tried my best to get a few steps in with him – it's hard to resist a good ballet practice - but alas, he found my enthusiasm somewhat…unorthodox. We spoke about the history of dance, his vision for ballet, and the importance of using it to tell stories. I truly admired his commitment to pushing boundaries and taking risks - it made me realise that innovation in dance isn't something that only belongs to our time!
Pink Tutues... Not Quite Yet!
Of course, in 1709, the concept of a pink tutu was almost unheard of. I did spot a few lovely gowns and costumes, all richly ornamented, that made me think of tutus! They might not have been pink, but they had the same kind of grace and fluidity. I swear, when I return, I'll be sure to subtly influence their designs – maybe I'll suggest a dash of blush or maybe even some shimmery sequins! Imagine what they would say? “Oh, it's a touch too pink, Mademoiselle! But certainly an interesting addition!”. 😉
Sharing the Inspiration!
Now, it's time to share the love for ballet history with you all! My friends, there is so much to explore in this beautiful art form! I hope I've inspired you to delve a little deeper, research your favourite ballets, and get lost in the magical world of movement and expression. After all, there's nothing more enchanting than watching the story of humanity unfold through dance.
And for the love of ballet, why not don your own pink tutu this month? Embrace your inner ballerina, unleash your inner creativity and feel the magic! 💖
I'll see you back here next month with another tale of ballet history and, hopefully, some news on my pink tutu plans for 1709!
Until then, remember, it's never too late to dream, dance and inspire! ✨
Your always bubbly ballerina,
Emma www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. Magic Meg is busy polishing her golden hooves in anticipation of our next adventure! Maybe she'll be wearing a pink ribbon in her mane for the next blog post… 😉
