Hello lovely readers! Emma here, back from another whirl through the world of ballet history with my trusty pink steed, Magic Meg. It's been a whirlwind month here in Derbyshire. August, in my opinion, is the perfect time to let those tutus flow, and with so much going on in the ballet world, you simply can't stand still!
We all love the drama of a big opening night - those gorgeous shimmering tutus with dazzling embellishments. But before the magic of the 'swan's lake', the elegant choreography of 'Giselle' or the intricate steps of the 'Nutcracker', there was... drumroll... Renaissance ballet!
This month, Magic Meg whisked me back to the glorious August 8th, 1733. We were on the journey to Italy, specifically, to experience the Italian Renaissance – a period when art, music and literature bloomed, and even ballet took a significant leap!
Can you imagine the delight of dancing your way through such a time period? I donned a pastel pink silk tutu with shimmering pearl accents – the most dazzling piece I have for journeys back in time. The fabrics were lighter and more comfortable than earlier Renaissance tutus, and so was my journey! I imagined dancing along to the sounds of a harpsichord amidst fresco-painted palaces, admiring glorious, perfectly-painted portraits of fabulous dancers, their outfits mirroring the vibrant and beautiful art that adorned the walls.
The 'Balletto' – A Peek into History's Theatre
Now, let's travel back in time, dear readers, and imagine how ballets would have been staged during those glorious days:
Imagine a theatre space filled with a beautiful crowd, the scent of exquisite perfumes, gentle chatter, and perhaps the soft twinkling of candlelight. There are no elaborate sets - just a suggestion of space using furniture and drapery – the beauty and movement of the dance take centre stage! The ‘Balletto’ – a spectacle designed to express emotion and storytelling, is far from the polished theatrical pieces we see today. The steps were more stately and the performers would often express emotions through poetic verses recited by dancers or sometimes sung by other actors!
Imagine Caterina de’ Medici in the audience, an absolute fashion icon, known to be an extraordinary and captivating figure herself! This powerful Queen helped ballet thrive in the court, making Italy a hub of creative dance. The ballet was an extravaganza – a grand event that required careful planning, costume designing, choreography, music, and the skill of many artists.
Now, Imagine, if you will, how I would have added to this enchanting scenario? Dancing in a fluffy, perfectly-pink tutu with glittering details would have been an instant showstopper! The ballet-loving queen and the court ladies would have loved to see my pink ballerina costume. Just like in my favourite ballet shops in Derbyshire, the silk and fabrics used for these dances would have been some of the finest, reflecting the wealth and fashion sense of the Renaissance era.
A trip to Italy in 1733, however brief, filled my dance spirit. These amazing costumes and the energy in these dancing spectacles gave me so many exciting new ideas for my pink tutu designs!
*My Travel Bag – The Pink Tutu Ballerina's Collection *
You know my Pink Tutu Travels blog would be nothing without my signature collection from each trip. So, of course, the Pink Tutu's journey to the Italian Renaissance meant more souvenirs!
On this trip, my backpack bursting with these goodies:
Vintage Ballet Costumes: Silk fabrics from the era would have made their way into my travel backpack. I simply can't help myself! The craftsmanship was exquisite and the delicate patterns will be perfect for a modern version of a Renaissance costume.
- Dance-inspired drawings: I found some gorgeous drawings by Leonardo da Vinci – a great innovator and genius, whose work includes dance drawings that captured graceful movements with such skill! I'm adding these into my ballet-inspired sketchbooks, and I plan to showcase some of his work in a special post next month!
Vintage Dance Score: Music of the era was very influential for later ballet composers. I scored an original score of an early ‘balletto’ piece.
Every vintage find in my collection adds another layer of inspiring fashion, stories and historical perspective! I can't wait to show you all my amazing Renaissance finds next month.
*And, Finally, What's Hot in Ballet Today? *
*International Ballet News *
The Royal Ballet in London will be presenting a double-bill of "Giselle" and "Emergence" - a new piece that highlights the powerful art of ballet in the modern age.
- *American Ballet Theatre * in New York have just completed a triumphant performance of the stunning ‘Swan Lake’!
And of course, who can forget our favourite French ballets – in Paris Opera Ballet , you can experience the mesmerizing beauty of a classical production of "La Bayadère"! *Emma’s Favourite Local Dance Performances – *
- *Derbyshire Dance Theatre * – this small, yet ambitious group – have an enchanting contemporary production featuring stunning 'Swan Lake' themed costuming with a unique and emotional interpretation!
- Don't miss out on the fantastic work of *The Nottingham Ballet School’s Summer Ballet Performances’– * they've been absolutely killing it this summer – and I recommend attending every chance you get.
The ballet world is a whirlwind of incredible energy and beautiful dance performances from local stages to world-renowned productions. Whether you’re a fan of classical, contemporary, or perhaps you prefer the whimsical energy of modern dance – August is the perfect month to explore ballet performances, and of course, always embrace that fabulous pink tutu.
Till next month, lovelies!
** *Don't forget to share your thoughts in the comments below and keep those tutus twirling. *
Emma. *www.pink-tutu.com *
* Please Note: This blog post was written with the provided parameters and aims to be a creative, entertaining piece, incorporating a fictionalized storyline around the date and themes provided.
It does not represent a comprehensive historical account of ballet during that specific period. To learn more about Renaissance ballet, consider referencing reliable historical sources on ballet.
