Hey my dearest tutu-lovers! 💖
Welcome back to my monthly journey through time! It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu enthusiast, and I'm so excited to share another adventure with you all. May's adventure has brought me back to 5th May 1724. Now, 1724 might not seem like a hotbed for ballet, but trust me, dear readers, there's always something going on in the world of dance, no matter the year!
As always, I started my trip in my usual fashion, strapping on my trusty leather rucksack (filled with sequins, ribbons, and of course, some vintage ballet notes), and mounting my beautiful, sparkling steed, Magic Meg. This month, Meg was a dream in a shimmering pink saddlecloth that perfectly matched my own tulle delight.
And let's face it, when you're riding a majestic pink Shire horse, you can't really arrive at your destination without making a grand entrance! We literally waltzed into 18th-century London with a flurry of hooves and sparkling tail.
So, 1724 - a year brimming with exciting cultural happenings, with King George I sitting on the throne. The music scene was a bubbling cauldron of exciting new ideas with Handel being a name on everybody's lips, his music captivating the country. As a lover of all things musical and dramatic, this historical setting was calling my name!
My first stop was the London theatre scene! Oh, you wouldn't believe the performances that were on! Opera was all the rage! You know, before the age of fancy stagecraft and spectacular sets, it was all about storytelling, captivating singing, and costumes, oh the costumes! You wouldn't believe some of the gorgeous brocades and velvets on display, not to mention those glorious wigs! It made my tutu heart flutter just looking at them! I have to confess I made my way backstage at the Theatre Royal to peek at the amazing spectacle that is opera performance in 1724, and maybe, just maybe, snagged some historical ribbons and fabric to add to my rucksack collection!
You'll never believe this, dear tutu-fans! Right smack-dab in the heart of the action was a new Italian opera that debuted on 11 May - the 'Alessandro' by the genius that was Handel himself! Imagine the grandeur of this production! Handel, the man of the hour. His compositions filled every space in 1724 - it was such a joy to experience. I'd love to have danced to his magnificent music in a pink tutu, wouldn't that be something?!
And to my great joy, 1724 was not short of ballet entertainment either. You might be surprised to know that the Ballet Comique de la Reine, originally a spectacle that included singing, dance and poetry and one of the earliest examples of ballets, took place back in the 16th century - how incredible is that! It sparked the start of courtly entertainment in the royal courts of Europe. In my time travelling adventures, I've discovered that the courts of the time held elaborate dance events, with waltzes and minuet's making up the choreographic programme! So you can bet that even in 1724, ladies and gentlemen were twirling to these iconic and intricate steps - imagine, it is a world I want to immerse myself in, with my very own pink tutu on, feeling like a little princess, twirling with a crown of flowers on my head!
Now, while this historical period was brimming with excitement, there wasn't much in the way of "ballet class" like we know it. Back then, it was more about the refined movements, intricate footwork and elegant steps of court dancing! As fascinating as that is, a girl needs a good, sweat-inducing ballet barre! Don't worry though, I got my fix from local dance lessons held in private homes or the halls of taverns - you can be sure I snuck in and picked up a few steps from the dancing instructors and aspiring young performers!
Talking of fancy feetwork, even without the iconic pink tutus, ballet footwear in 1724 was quite the thing! I'm talking shoes adorned with silk and embellishments. Imagine, walking on a stage, adorned in exquisite, richly coloured velvets with elegant footwear to boot! There is something magical about it all!
But speaking of footwear, dear reader, it's important for all of us to be wearing tutus in our lives, not just the pink kind! Whether it's a fabulous vintage design for a charity event or for your next ballet class! Wearing a pink tutu to a fancy ball! This magical outfit can bring a special sparkle and magic to every event in life. Let's break all the rules and enjoy ourselves with our beautiful tutus, and maybe, just maybe, wear that glorious, shimmering pink!
Remember, you can follow all of my travels and adventures in the world of ballet right here on pink-tutu.com and let's continue to discover the beautiful world of dance and fashion, wherever we may be. As a fellow tutu lover, don't forget, every day is a great day to wear a pink tutu!
Stay sparkly, Emma xx
P.S Tune in next month when I venture back into time - you'll have to wait and see what exciting historical event I'll discover next! Perhaps 1724 will be a date I revisit - I certainly want to see more of the music scene! 😉💖
