Hello my lovelies! It’s your favourite ballerina time traveller, Emma, here! It's October, and the leaves are turning a glorious shade of fiery red and golden yellow, mirroring the hues of my trusty tutu! For my 622nd post, I’m jetting back to 10th October 1712, and let me tell you, there’s a delightful whiff of history in the air, even from the comfort of my sparkly pink time machine – that's my dear horse, Magic Meg, you see. She’s a beautiful, shimmering Shire horse, with golden hooves and a snow-white mane and tail, so majestic it takes your breath away! She’s also extremely punctual, thank goodness, because I simply cannot bear being even a moment late for any ballet event, past or present.
I must admit, travelling to 1712 was a rather strange experience. Gone were the bustling London streets with their fast-paced traffic. Instead, I found myself transported to a London where horse-drawn carriages were the mode of transport and cobblestone streets echoed with the clatter of hooves and the sound of laughter echoing from a pub in the distance. This was the London of Queen Anne’s reign, a time where courtly dances were all the rage, and where ballet was starting to truly blossom, paving the way for the incredible ballet scene we enjoy today!
Imagine, my lovelies, a world where ballet wasn’t a fixed set of steps, where the focus was on narrative and expressing stories through movement! This was a world where ballet dancers, men and women alike, would wear exquisite costumes. Just thinking about them makes my inner ballet historian squeal with delight. The dancers moved with grace and elegance, weaving a story of love, triumph and heartbreak - something we can still find within ballet today.
But let's get back to my historical escapade! Now, there was no way I could travel back to 1712 without my rucksack! Filled with everything from my notebook to sketch pens and some sparkly fabric (just in case!), it’s my essential time traveller’s companion. It’s quite a sight, this pink rucksack perched on my back, contrasting sharply with the dull browns and greens of the 18th-century world! I’m convinced it brightens up the past!
But where did I end up on my journey, you ask? This is where it gets really exciting!
The highlight of my journey was attending a private courtly performance held in one of London’s most prestigious palaces! Now, even back then, courtly performances were quite exclusive! I managed to squeeze into this one thanks to the power of my pink tutu and, of course, a good old fashioned bit of time-travel magic! Can you believe, there were only about twenty people present, and it felt like I had stepped straight into a scene from a period drama!
I learned so much that day! My notepad went scribble-scribble with exciting historical facts:
- Ballet was still relatively new, influenced by Italian ballet masters who arrived in England at the end of the 17th century.
- They introduced a formal dance style that had just started to develop into what we consider "ballet" today, complete with specific moves and technical vocabulary.
I can’t forget the costumes! All those vibrant fabrics, the meticulous details, and the elegant, courtly silhouette, which was still very fashionable for ladies. But you know me, lovelies! I spotted a glimmer of the pink I longed for.
There was one lady at the performance, a member of the aristocracy, she wore a silk dress of pale blush pink. Not exactly my full-fledged pink tutu, but it was a sign of things to come, right?!
My time travelling diary also reveals a little piece of fascinating ballet history, on this date back in 1712, a young Italian ballet dancer named Francesco Bartolomeo di Sangallo was invited to the English court. I bet his graceful steps, just as stylish as his Italian suit, were something else.
After this little trip down memory lane, I'm absolutely thrilled by the impact the first ballets had on the English social scene! Just like our time today, it provided a space for community, beauty, and artistry, and who doesn’t love a bit of that!
Now, time for the Fashion Corner! 1712 was a glorious time for fashion, my lovelies! We are talking panniers, the fuller, the better! I've seen them myself! A lady could get quite adventurous with this dramatic silhouette! Imagine wearing a magnificent pink-hued silk dress, a shimmering fan, a cascade of curls, and adding some intricate details that only the most talented seamstress could make. I'm all for a bit of glitz and glam, and what better way to do that than with your outfit!
I hope you enjoyed this little peek into the past, my dears! As you see, ballet has always held a unique allure, drawing people from all walks of life. I’m eager to share more incredible discoveries with you, my sweet time travelling companions.
Until next time,
Emma
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