#BalletHistory during 1732 07 July

Hello lovelies, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels! It's your favourite Derbyshire lass, Emma, back with another exciting trip through the annals of ballet history. This month, we're soaring back to 1732, landing smack-dab in the heart of Paris, a city positively bursting with theatrical and artistic brilliance! And, wouldn't you know it, we've got a grand performance lined up at the Opéra de Paris - a little gem called "La Princesse d'Écosse." Let's hop onto Magic Meg, my darling pink-sparkling Shire horse, and see what ballet marvels await!

As always, dear readers, I've got my trusty pink tutu on, and my trusty leather rucksack, ready to fill it to the brim with fascinating stories and ballet-related goodies from the era! And for this journey, let me tell you, my sartorial senses are tingling! Think panniers, lace ruffles, and, yes, even some elegant embroidered slippers! It’s all so much more refined than the rather flamboyant ballet costumes of the 19th century, don’t you think?

So, we arrived at the grand Opéra de Paris - what a marvel of architecture! Imagine all that opulence and grandeur, the gasps of awe from the audience, the beautiful gowns…oh my, the gowns! The Parisians, let me tell you, knew a thing or two about dressing for the theatre!

And then, the show itself… "La Princesse d'Écosse", a ballet in three acts composed by Jean-Baptiste Lully and written by Jean de la Fontaine. A tale of love, betrayal, and noble deeds! The story unfolded beautifully through a tapestry of dancing, music, and enchanting costumes. Oh, and the dancers…pure artistry!

Every graceful leap, every twirling arabesque, it all seemed to paint a story of intrigue and emotion upon the stage. Now, you know I'm a true ballet aficionado, and I have to say, the precision and artistry were simply exquisite! I could almost feel the spirit of the royal court, their hopes and dreams, their joys and sorrows, all entwined in this dance of pure enchantment.

Of course, as a history buff, my heart leaped at the chance to delve deeper into the history of ballet in Paris at this time. Remember, ballet in the 18th century was far more intricate and theatrical than we’re used to today. The grand gestures, the slow and stately movements - it all aimed to tell a story and move the heart, which, as a true romantic, I wholeheartedly appreciate!

But let’s not forget the fashion, darling! Can we talk about the costumes?! I absolutely loved the beautiful powdered wigs, the elaborately patterned jackets, the elaborate gowns, and of course, the shimmering silk slippers. Everything was so refined and elegant, perfectly capturing the elegance of the French court. It made me long to turn the clock back and join them!

And now, here’s something interesting: it wasn’t just the grand spectacle of the dance and costumes that had me feeling inspired, it was the underlying passion for beauty and storytelling that truly stole my heart.

You see, dear readers, I truly believe that ballet is all about expressing the depths of our humanity through the most beautiful art form. And the ballet in 1732, just like modern-day performances, echoed that same passion. The dancers, the costumes, the music - they all worked together to tell a story, to stir our emotions, and to remind us of the beauty in every beat of life.

As I wandered the bustling streets of 18th-century Paris, I saw echoes of our world - laughter in the cafés, music in the squares, children playing in the parks, people weaving in and out of bustling markets.

Yet, beneath this veneer of familiar life, there was something undeniably unique, something inherently French about it. It's this sense of historical flavour, that makes me believe that every time period has a special way of looking at and appreciating ballet.

Of course, in 1732, I'm not talking about my signature pink tutu! No, fashion in those days was much more grand - lots of elaborate hats, powder on the wigs, and corsets to emphasize those feminine curves! I can only imagine the look I got when I galloped through town on my shimmering pink steed! Oh, the shock! But, that’s part of the fun, right? Spreading the love of ballet, one time travel adventure at a time!

I know you all know my aim in life, to inspire the world to wear a pink tutu. A little bit of pink magic, I reckon, goes a long way, and you never know where it will take you! You might be surprised to find that there's something in these historical dances that echoes your modern-day experience, especially with all that glitz and glamour and passionate performance in ballet nowadays!

So, darling readers, I bid you adieu until next month! Remember, if you’re ever feeling inspired to take a trip through time and see for yourselves the magic of ballet history, remember to grab your pink tutu and join me! Who knows what ballet adventures await us!

Until then, stay lovely!

Emma www.pink-tutu.com