Hello my dearest Tutu-ettes! It's Emma, back with another peek into the incredible world of ballet history. Buckle up your satin shoes and prepare for another whirl through time! Today's date, June 6th, 1718, takes us on a particularly regal adventure to the stunning Palace of Versailles, home to the dazzling Court of King Louis XV.
Just picture it, darling: vast halls echoing with music, ladies swirling in silks and feathers, and a ballet performance fit for a king! You know, as soon as I get a sniff of a time period with fabulous courtly costumes, it’s boom! I’m off, with my trusty companion, Magic Meg. You know, she just sparkles in a pale pink satin shawl, it matches my tutus perfectly. Oh, I can already imagine how our arrival at the court would send those gossiping courtiers into a whirl. Can you imagine, a young lady in a bright pink tutu appearing as if by magic! Now, there’s an entrance to set the French court gossiping for weeks!
And you simply have to see my newest tutu collection for the trip! Imagine the delicate lace of a blush pink tutu with its tiers edged with silvery beads, fluttering with each turn and jump. It's a delight, even just in my imagination! We simply must find an incredible tutu, so regal for the French court! I imagine all those ladies in their hoop skirts would absolutely die of envy.
The reason for all the hoopla, dear readers, was the ballet: "Le Triomphe de l’Amour," the "Triumph of Love".
Le Triomphe de l’Amour (The Triumph of Love) is a ballet in five acts. The choreography was by Jean-Baptiste Lully, an incredibly important figure in French ballet history. As far as our time travelling ballet fanatic can determine, this ballet seems to have featured not only court dancers, but the very French royal family as participants. Can you even imagine having the King as your partner! Well, I’m afraid he was rather grumpy with the court’s preference for foreign dancers so perhaps not.
Just thinking about those early French ballet performances makes my imagination take flight! Can you imagine performing in such an environment? And even for a short trip like this, there’s an incredible amount to absorb in the leather bag on my back: fashion ideas from the courtiers' costumes, gossip on court life (for the scandalously juicy bits, naturally) and details on the ballet production, such as the original libretto for the ballet itself, so we can recreate a miniature Triomphe in my local theatre for next season's annual ball!
This trip would be just brimming with interesting observations: about the dancers, the music, and the way these artistic events played such an important role in the lives of the court and the people. Perhaps, one day, you'll find my name in history! After all, what better time traveller could bring the magical pink tutu back to 18th-century French royalty, and inspire everyone to twirl, leap and dance in pink, don't you think?
But as usual, my time machine awaits, my dancing shoes are begging for a journey! My dear readers, thank you for joining me on this dance through time. Remember, don't be afraid to put on your own pink tutu and dance through life with joy!
Remember, you can always visit our online boutique, www.pink-tutu.com, and keep up with my adventures in the fascinating world of ballet history on our Facebook page! Now if you'll excuse me, I've got to dash – Magic Meg needs a good polishing with her special pink shimmer spray and there are some magnificent Parisian dance studios calling my name!
