Hello my lovely ballet bunnies! Itās Emma here, your very own pink tutu-wearing time traveller. As the leaves start to turn and the crisp autumn air is nipping at our noses, itās time for another magical time travel adventure, and this month, I'm whisking you away to a royal court brimming with elegance and graceā¦ September 9th, 1717, and oh, the excitement!
Now, buckle up those tutus, because this time weāre travelling with Magic Meg, my trusty pink shimmering Shire horse, to the magnificent palace of Versailles. The air here is abuzz with courtly chatter, rustling silks, and, of course, the delightful melody of a symphony. Can you imagine, my dears, a world where the highest form of entertainment was ballet? What a time to be alive!
A Ballet for a King: Louis XIV & His Royal Ballet
Stepping off of Magic Megās golden hooves, weāre right at the heart of French elegance. Think gilded interiors, shimmering chandeliers, and elaborate costumes that could rival a feather boa, my loves! This is the court of Louis XIV, the Sun King himself, and oh, how I adore him for his passion for the art of ballet!
This is a king who, at the height of his power, still danced. Imagine him, my darlings, strutting the stage with his regal bearing in elegant costumes and dazzling footwork, the entire court holding their breath in admiration. His talent for ballet was remarkable. He was not just a king who enjoyed the art; he was a performer who actively participated in the world of dance! He even wrote and performed in several ballets throughout his reign, proving that his love for ballet extended beyond just enjoying the show.
Now, this era is known as the Golden Age of Ballet in France, and with good reason, my lovelies! Thereās a beautiful, vibrant energy here. Ballet, in its purest and most theatrical form, is the heart of entertainment, and what better stage than the sumptuous palace of Versailles?
Ballet: An art form born of Royal Indulgence
Think grand ballets with intricate, intricate storytelling woven through movement and music, my loves. Imagine costumed figures twirling to harpsichord and lute, the grandeur of the stage lit by flickering candlelight, each dancer weaving a tapestry of emotions through their steps, bringing mythical tales and passionate dramas to life!
As I walk through the magnificent halls of the palace, I see whispers of past performances; traces of beautiful stories danced, costumed dreams brought to life. Imagine the joy and spectacle that must have filled the grand ballrooms!
I'm just dying to have a peek behind the scenes and imagine the hushed anticipation of the dancers before their performance. There must have been excitement, nervousness, a thrill of anticipation - perhaps even a sprinkle of backstage laughter and playful gossip amongst the dancers before they step onto the grand stage! I imagine a sense of community, where dancers came together to craft something truly beautiful. It is a privilege, my dears, to step back in time and witness the passion for this beautiful art form in its very essence!
On this date in 1717, what were the Ballet trends?
Itās truly fascinating to discover the stories behind these movements and how they were shaped by the personalities, social graces, and courtly intrigue of the era, my lovelies! I canāt even begin to imagine the costumes! I imagine flowing, graceful lines - a flurry of feathers and velvet!
Although I don't have exact details of this particular evening, Iām dreaming of silks and satins, graceful lines and shimmering adornments that would make any ballerina envious.
However, imagine the thrill of being immersed in this courtly world, where dancers were held in such high esteem. These dancers were the āroyal elite of the artistic world,ā entertaining the very King! Can you imagine? It must have been utterly divine!
I imagine an intricate ballet - perhaps a piece of music with ādramatic movementsā like a courtly dance in which a hero overcomes obstacles, proving his nobility and strength!
The art of ballet is all about graceful and powerful expression, and thereās no doubt that the ballet on this very evening would have mesmerized the King and his entire court!
* A Royal Ball and a Dance With Magic Meg:*
To bring a bit of Versailles home, Iāve already planned my own elegant āballet party,ā my dears! Imagine - the perfect chance for all of you to join me for an evening of sparkling elegance and whimsical dances! Pink champagne for everyone!
I am going to wear my brand-new, shimmery pink tutu and, if my lovely horse will let me, maybe Magic Meg will even learn some dance moves for us! I think itās time to share a bit of Versailles magic with all of my dearest ballet bunnies back home in Derbyshire, my darlings!
I've already collected a treasure trove of historical snippets from this eveningās time travel, so check in soon to see my very own āroyal dance cardā and find my special Versailles inspired pink ballet tutu creation for my little balletheads back home!
Stay gorgeous, and keep those pink tutus sparkling!
Until next month,
Emma xx
P.S.: I'm dying to see your latest pink tutu creations, my loves! Send them to www.pink-tutu.com - and you might even find them featured in my next time travel post!
