Hello my darlings! Emma here, back with another exciting instalment of Pink Tutu Time Travels! Today, we’re soaring back to the 18th century, a time when ballet was just starting to blossom in all its glory. Grab your tea, your biscuits, and settle in for a whirl through time, all from the comfort of your favourite pink tutu, of course!
This month’s adventure has brought me to 6th June, 1732. Can you believe it? We're so close to the 18th century's 'golden age of ballet' – oh, the excitement!
My trusty steed, the divine Magic Meg, (pink sparkling shire horse, just so you know), is all saddled up and ready to go, with my trusty leather rucksack in tow. (It’s getting quite full now, you know, with all the precious ballet items and stories I've collected throughout history!) Today, it's going to be filled with tales of Paris, oh darling Paris!
I know some of you are wondering why we're heading to Paris and not, say, London or Italy, when we talk about the ballet's history. But trust me, Paris was the heartbeat of the ballet world back then. They were doing revolutionary things there, things that would shape the dance world as we know it today.
So, let's jump aboard Magic Meg and be transported to 18th-century Paris!
Ballet in 1732 Paris: A Dance of Fashion and Grace
Imagine this: swirling skirts, elaborate costumes, and graceful ballerinas flitting across the stage. That was the Parisian ballet scene in 1732!
Back then, the Paris Opéra was the place to be for a dance performance. Think of it like the Royal Ballet of London today. They held grand spectacles, filled with elaborate choreography and sumptuous costumes. The ballet performances were truly the crème de la crème of the Parisian social scene. And speaking of social scenes, I couldn’t resist visiting the grand Parisian shops, filled with beautiful ballet fabrics and laces. Oh, the delight! Imagine the incredible ballgowns worn at those opera performances, just swoon!
Let’s talk a bit about who was wowing audiences in Paris back in 1732:
The Ballets of Jean-Baptiste Lully: While Lully had sadly passed away a few years earlier, his legacy lived on in 1732. Think magnificent court ballets, full of allegorical scenes, with the dancers weaving intricate stories through their movements.
The Rise of Marie Sallé: Now, Marie, darling Marie! She's a pioneer, a fashionista, and a dancing diva rolled into one. Known for her graceful, natural movements, she even wore costumes more like contemporary clothing, shunning the overly elaborate panniers that were common at the time. This bold, elegant style was the start of something special, something that shaped the ballets to come. I couldn’t help but buy a reproduction of one of her dresses. You should see it – pink silk, with some truly elegant ribbons!
Ballet in the Court of Louis XV: Oh, the elegance! You’d find ballet presented not only on grand stages but also in royal courts. Think Louis XV and his exquisite courtiers enjoying intricate ballets filled with grace and sophistication, set against the backdrop of breathtaking courtly life.
It’s hard to say if my time machine will allow me to witness an actual ballet performance on the 6th of June, but I am already enthralled with what I've discovered today.
Oh, did you know that the Opéra Ballet even commissioned music specially written for their performances back in 1732? They knew how to create an incredible, full theatrical experience. What’s not to love about ballet, my dears?
I even found out about 'Ballet Comique', where they would put on special plays set to music! Imagine how truly magical this experience would have been, using dancing, singing, and theatrics to create a captivating world onstage.
My 18th Century Findings
Well, my lovelies, you're probably wondering what's in my backpack. So far I’ve gathered some fascinating bits from 1732 that are worth sharing with you:
Ballet Costumes: While researching 18th century fashion, I discovered the "Robe à la Française," with its long, flowing skirts and fitted bodices. It was an absolute inspiration, darling! These elegant gowns could have easily been worn as a ballet costume – picture it flowing and swirling on stage!
* Ballet Books and Scores*: Oh, the thrill of browsing through a dusty old bookstore and finding an early ballet manuscript or a beautifully printed opera score. You'll just have to trust me when I say it’s one of life’s great joys!
The Fashion: Oh my dears, you’ve got to see what I’ve got in my rucksack! It's brimming with incredible designs and samples, darling! *Silk, satin, and lace galore, and even some samples of some *divine pastel pink taffeta. Perfect for a tutu, don’t you think? (The blush pink in particular reminds me of a ballet we saw in the Royal Opera House recently… Sigh)
So there you have it! Another amazing time travel adventure completed, my dears! I can't wait for next month’s jaunt and the exciting things I’ll find on my ballet adventures. But remember, dear friends, always travel with grace, style, and of course, a dash of pink!
Do send your questions about this trip and the wonders of ballet in the 18th century through my comments below, darling! And remember, I am dedicated to one thing only: spreading the love of tutus worldwide! Pink, of course!
Until next time!
Emma
P.S. Don’t forget to visit our Pink-Tutu website, full of all things dance! www.pink-tutu.com You can also catch our next live performance right here in Derbyshire this August! See you there, darlings!
