Hello, darlings! Emma here, your resident time-traveling ballerina extraordinaire, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels! This month, Magic Meg and I are galloping back in time to November 11th, 1725. Oh, the excitement!
The chill air of Derbyshire was nipping at my nose as Magic Meg, all pink sparkle and white mane, stood ready for our latest adventure. With my leather rucksack slung over my shoulders, I was prepared for another historical ballet discovery!
It’s incredible to think, that on this very date, 1725, ballet was evolving in France, with the first recorded performance of a work called Le Triomphe de l’Amour. You might be thinking, what could possibly be more captivating than love triumphant? Well, just imagine, the beautiful dancers swirling and leaping in elegant costumes under glittering chandeliers! My heart is already skipping a beat with excitement.
But this date is not only about France, darling. Ballet was taking the world by storm. Back home, here in England, Londoners were experiencing their own form of dance magic, although, at this point, they probably wouldn't be calling it "ballet" in the modern sense.
Imagine a delightful theatre scene where audiences were treated to "playful, lighthearted" dance sequences interweaved with their favorite plays. That’s right! This was a time when ballet began to integrate with drama, becoming a wonderful, expressive addition to the performance landscape. Talk about the ultimate double feature!
You might be surprised to know, this very month, a new play entitled "The Recruiting Officer" premiered in London, featuring beautiful dance sequences that transported audiences to a world of fancy footwork. How fabulously theatrical!
The magic of dance didn't stop there, darlings! In the land of bright lights, Italy, a stunning ballet, Le feste Veneziane, took centre stage. With dazzling costumes and intricate choreography, this was a true ballet experience to behold! I can already picture the scene - sparkling dresses, rich velvets, and of course, everyone's favourite element, the vibrant pink!
To truly get a sense of the fashion, darlings, you simply must visualise the women wearing extravagant wigs, laced corsets, and flowing skirts. All that combined with intricate dance steps? Now that's what I call an outfit worthy of a tutu twirl!
I even managed to snag a vintage costume sketch from a French dancer who performed in Le Triomphe de l’Amour. A masterpiece of delicate lace and ruffles! My rucksack is becoming a treasure chest of vintage fashion gems!
So, darlings, while our own ballet shoes were busy conquering theatres around the globe, remember that time is but a whisper, and each step we take, every plié we perform, takes us closer to sharing the joy of dance. Remember, pink tutus, for everyone!
That's it for this month's edition, my lovelies! Stay tuned for the next journey! Remember, you can catch up on all the adventures on my website, www.pink-tutu.com. Keep dancing! Until next time!
Post-scriptFor those who want a closer glimpse of 1725, darling, I've listed some of my favourite resources below:
- The Oxford Dictionary of Dance by Debra Craine and Judith Mackrell. This beautiful resource provides fascinating insights into ballet's development and is a great jumping off point for any ballerina, especially those who, like me, have a penchant for historical dance!
- Dancing in the City of the Sun by Debra Craine. This book, for all those with a thirst for Italian ballet history, offers a unique perspective into the vibrant world of Venetian theatre! It's certainly not a time to miss, with dance in the spotlight.
- The National Gallery. Have you ever thought of going through paintings to understand fashion from the past? I did! It's a fantastic way to understand not just fashion, but the spirit of the era! Check out their website or a visit - especially those famous portrait paintings, darling!
So grab your own tutu, and take a twirl through time!
With much love and twirls, Emma.
