Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels! February the 2nd, 1730, has been calling me for weeks, and I just couldn't resist a trip to the French capital. Paris is always a joy, but knowing that on this very day in history, the King was hosting a grand ballet at the Palais Royal…well, I knew I had to grab my sparkly pink tutu, my trusty leather rucksack, and ride Magic Meg through the centuries!
Riding Through Time on Magic Meg
She's a magnificent creature, isn't she? Magic Meg - my shimmering, pink, shire horse, with those gorgeous white locks and golden hooves - is the perfect mode of transport for any ballet-loving time traveller. We zoom through history at breakneck speed (sometimes literally! I always say that Meg has a bit of a playful streak!) and with each trip, my rucksack gets stuffed with more and more beautiful treasures. Today, it's filled with French pamphlets about the Royal ballet, a few stray feathers from a dancer's costume (I always manage to get a sniff!) and, of course, a little pink ribbon that I snagged from the courtly bustle of the palace.
A Royal Ballet Spectacle
Oh, the sheer opulence of the Palais Royal! It felt like I'd stepped right into a Marie Antoinette painting – chandeliers dripping with crystals, the air thick with powdered wigs and the scent of lilies, and the entire Court adorned in their finest attire! The King was in the grandest box, looking so handsome, and his wife, the Queen, was a vision in a gown that rivalled the very stars above us.
The ballet was something else. My favourite part was the music, all those beautiful swirling strings, such drama, so theatrical! And the costumes were truly divine. Feathers, beads, and all those lovely flowing silks and satins – every detail meticulously designed, making each movement of the dancers a tiny work of art.
But my dear friends, there's more to this tale than mere beauty and grandeur. This performance was revolutionary, a testament to how the ballet was evolving, and it has everything to do with…
Enter the Balletmaster, the Mastermind!
Meet the legendary Jean-Baptiste Lully, the master of the court, the orchestrator of this magnificent production, and the reason for all the glitter and grace. Now, Lully wasn't just any choreographer; he was a master of theatre and music. This ballet was a triumph, and he was its conductor, crafting the perfect dance-filled drama to enchant the King, the Queen, and the entire royal court. Lully understood that ballet was so much more than just a dance. It was a spectacle, a way to convey stories and emotions, and to draw audiences into a world of make-believe.
This night, the ballet told the story of King Mithridates, an ancient King known for his great bravery. It was dramatic, powerful, and so, so entertaining. You could feel the passion, the energy, and the storytelling in every pirouette and arabesque! This kind of spectacle wouldn't have been possible just a generation ago. But Lully was a trailblazer! And that, my dears, is the beauty of ballet history.
The Power of Fashion, A New Era Begins
Now, you may think the 1730s are long before the tutus of our modern day. Well, it's true - this was the age of "Dance for Kings", with emphasis on opulent courtly dances. However, this very period witnessed the gradual move towards what we know today as ballet! Lully and his peers began to refine choreography, using elaborate dances to express themes and emotions.
The costumes, while still elegant and lavish, were starting to incorporate ideas that paved the way for modern-day tutus. These courtly ladies, with their panniers and their elaborate hairstyles, began to loosen their movements, taking baby steps toward the lighter, flowing gestures that would define the ballet we love today. And the dresses were becoming increasingly streamlined and less restrictive, creating the first hints of the graceful lines and shapes that are so essential to ballet's aesthetic.
The movement was all about elegance, flow, and an increasing focus on artistry. These ballet performers, men and women, were starting to develop the precision, grace, and technique that are now the heart of every dancer's journey. And all of this was happening under the patronage of the King, who truly believed that ballet was a crucial form of entertainment and cultural expression.
The pink tutu? You bet!
Don't you think the idea of all this exquisite movement, music, and theatre cries out for a dash of pink? Even back in the 1730s, ballet performers used the softest pinks for their embellishments and details. You can find delicate shades of pink woven through those grand silks and velvets, sprinkled on ribbons and bows, even painted on masks to make eyes glitter.
I always like to think that pink was the colour of dreams back then, just like it is for me today. The colour of magic and possibilities, of hope and elegance – the same spirit that defines my very mission: to make every single one of you put on a pink tutu and dance!
More Time Travels To Come!
Don't miss out on future trips. I'll be posting new time travel blogs on the first of each month at www.pink-tutu.com. Share your thoughts in the comments! What would you do if you could travel back in time and visit a grand court ballet? What do you think is the best ballet you've seen so far? What colour do you love for your tutus?
Let's continue to celebrate the glorious world of ballet, all those fabulous costumes, and most importantly, remember to have fun with your tutus!
Until next time, happy dancing!
Your always pink-tutu-loving friend, Emma.
