Hello darlings! It's your favourite pink tutu wearing, time-travelling ballerina, Emma, and it's time for another exciting trip back in time! This month, I'm taking you all the way back to December 12th, 1710! Grab your tea, biscuits, and a fluffy pink blanket, because this one's going to be a right royal ballet adventure!
Now, you may be wondering, what could possibly be happening in the world of ballet way back then? Well, let me tell you, the world was buzzing with excitement about the amazing dancers and theatre performances happening in 1710.
I galloped my magnificent pink sparkling shire horse, Magic Meg (whose golden hooves and white mane are simply divine, darling!), through the Derbyshire countryside to a hidden meadow where a magic portal had appeared, transporting me straight to the 18th century! It felt like stepping into a Jane Austen novel, honestly! Just picture it: gorgeous ladies in billowing gowns and gentlemen with powdered wigs.
Now, don't let the era fool you, the excitement for the theatre arts was simply phenomenal! Especially ballet. Remember, it's not all tutus and graceful leaps yet, as the form was still in its early development stages. I had to put on a good show to pay for Magic Meg's oats for this trip! (She eats like a horse...quite literally, you see!), but the folks I performed for were simply enchanted. They loved my sparkly pink tutu!
*Here's the lowdown on what was happening on the 12th of December, 1710: *
- The French Ballet was really making waves, darling. It was an important period for dance as the form really blossomed into a distinct art. We have French pioneers to thank for those stunning techniques we see today!
The iconic Académie Royale de Danse (the Royal Academy of Dance, or to us in the modern day - the Paris Opera Ballet), was bursting with activity and talent. Remember, ballet started as a court dance, but was taking its first exciting steps as an art form.
And I discovered that on December 12th, 1710, there were some amazing shows going on, you see! I was lucky enough to find myself seated next to some fashionable Londoners, as they'd just flocked into the capital for a glimpse of these amazing spectacles! There were operas at Covent Garden, theatre performances, and even ballets by a troupe led by a certain Monsieur Festin! You know, he was the dancer everyone was whispering about for his brilliant technique!
I've even managed to get my hands on a wonderful booklet that talks all about the opera that was playing at Covent Garden at that very time, darling! Can you believe that, almost 300 years ago, a whole opera had an audience completely mesmerized by this magnificent story unfolding on stage. They called it "Amadis de Gaule," which I hear is all about the knight, magic, love, and even some enchanting sorcery - how exciting, right?!
- Speaking of fashion... I must show you my latest vintage find! I spied the most amazing hat in a little millinery shop in London, darling! It was trimmed with ribbons and feathers, and the shopkeeper said they were a style that all the chic ladies were wearing! Imagine all the wonderful hats in different colours they would have!
I packed it right up into my little leather rucksack for you to see when I'm back. (Oh, don't you love the feeling of history and the look of this rucksack! It really matches Magic Meg's pink glitter.)
Back To My Time-Travelling Adventures!
Remember, in my little pink ballet tutu and pink sparkles (that are always getting me in trouble!) , I saw so much ballet, theatre, fashion, and a whole load of history on December 12th, 1710. I'm absolutely buzzing with how inspiring this journey has been.
I can't wait to get home and tell you all about it on Pink-Tutu.com, my dear ballet loving friends!
See you next time for more time-travel adventures!
Emma
(ps, Don't forget to share the blog and tell everyone to wear pink tutus!)
I'm afraid I need to stop there - this post has gotten longer than a ballet performance! I hope you enjoyed reading this, darlings, I just love spreading my love of dance and pink sparkles. See you next month!
