Hello, my darlings! It's Emma here, back with another fabulous journey through time. This month, I'm whisking you away to a rather glorious day – April 4th, 1726!
This date holds a special significance for all of us ballet lovers because it's the birthday of Marie Camargo, a true icon in the world of dance. Now, you might not recognise that name instantly, but this woman was a superstar, pioneering a new style of dance that would forever change ballet!
Imagine, a world where ballet was only a few steps away from its classical roots, with ladies in long, cumbersome skirts, struggling to express themselves fully. Enter Marie Camargo, a breath of fresh air who dared to wear shorter skirts, revealing her incredible feetwork and agility! She was a force of nature, challenging the old ways and revolutionising ballet with her grace, speed, and sheer talent. She truly embodies everything I adore about dance: the passion, the expression, the liberation it offers!
So, what did I do to celebrate Marie's birthday? Why, I embarked on a journey to 1726, naturally! Magic Meg, my dazzling pink shire horse with her golden hooves and flowing white mane, trotted through time with me, and we landed in a rather delightful Paris, a bustling city overflowing with elegance and grandeur.
You see, Paris was where Marie first captivated audiences, even before the Paris Opera Ballet as we know it was established.
Upon arrival, I felt like I'd stepped right out of a painting. It was as if the city had paused in time just to allow me to revel in the atmosphere! The cobblestone streets were a beautiful tapestry of bustling crowds, luxurious carriages, and, of course, the finest fashion imaginable. Imagine swirling skirts, powdered wigs, and men in extravagant suits, all set against the backdrop of majestic buildings with their grand architecture!
I was quite mesmerised by the scene and I spent the day like any fashionable young lady – admiring the sights, browsing the shops, and even enjoying a spot of tea! I am rather partial to a cuppa! Now, 1726 fashion was as vibrant and flamboyant as ballet itself! I mean, can you imagine ladies strutting in silk dresses and ruffles that would make even a tutu look restrained? It was truly a world of elegance and opulence, a far cry from our more streamlined present!
My mission? To bring a bit of the tutu love to 1726, of course! I wasn't about to show up in a pink tutu to Marie's birthday party, but let's just say I found myself amongst the very talented ballet masters, enjoying their private lessons with aspiring ballerinas. I brought a few little items to share - a hand-stitched velvet bag and a miniature pair of ballet shoes, all with delicate pink bows and feathers! Imagine, me gifting a tiny pink feathered bag of ballet tricks to a 1726 ballet maestro, he was quite thrilled to accept my gift and told me all about his dance classes and his vision for his dancers.
Of course, I wouldn't dream of a visit to 1726 without a ballet performance, so I managed to sneak into a private performance held for a small group of nobility. Imagine – ladies dancing with elegant steps, men bounding through their routines, a whole performance conducted by candles, without any artificial lights at all. What an unforgettable experience, a glimpse into a fascinating era!
For my part, I must have stood out a little in my pink tutu, but I found the French ladies quite welcoming. And after the performance, I had the opportunity to share my love for all things tutu! One lady who really caught my eye was Mademoiselle Dufresne, another talented ballerina who also embraced a new era of dance in that same 1726 period!
And to add to the excitement of my trip, I got to witness the birth of a new type of stage design! Gone were the old, static stages, and in their place were grander and more elaborate stages with elaborate scenery, designed to transport audiences to new realms and tell stories through their designs! Oh, I must have snapped a hundred photos of those magical stages!
You might be thinking, “Emma, where’s your famous ballet collection?!” I am, naturally, a collector at heart, and my rucksack was overflowing with amazing treasures I found on my adventures! Imagine, the first edition program of a ballet show held in a salon, a faded yet beautiful costume sketch drawn by a local artist, and even a charming letter of invitation to a Parisian ball – truly an enchanting mix of the past!
My journey through time, full of pink tutus, ballet love, and exciting history, taught me that even hundreds of years ago, the desire for creativity and self-expression was just as vibrant. Marie Camargo's passion to break the rules and move forward changed the way we experience dance forever, a reminder to never stop dreaming, pushing boundaries, and expressing yourself through art, in all its magnificent forms.
And before I go, don’t forget, my lovely dancers, pink tutus for everyone! I’m looking forward to hearing about your pink tutu adventures this month. Share your favourite ballet looks, tell me about the shows you’ve seen, and don’t be afraid to explore the vibrant world of dance, whether in the heart of the theatre or in the streets!
See you all next month for another breathtaking trip through time!
XOXO, Emma
