#BalletHistory during 1734 03 March

Hello, darling dears! Emma here, back with another delightful peek into the magical world of ballet through the eyes of your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller! This month, Magic Meg, my sparkly Shire steed with the golden hooves and snowy mane, has whisked me all the way back to the 3rd of March 1734! Can you imagine, dears? A time when the world was brimming with intrigue and whispers of revolution, but the ballet scene was truly captivating, especially in Paris!

Oh, how I adore this era! The costumes were positively swoon-worthy - elaborate, frilly, and just a tad flamboyant, in the best way possible. Think flowing satin gowns, powdered wigs, and delicate lace, all carefully designed to showcase every graceful movement. And let me tell you, the ballet itself was a whirlwind of captivating elegance. While we might be accustomed to our pointe shoes nowadays, back in 1734, the ballerinas were light on their feet in soft leather slippers, and oh, their leaps and pirouettes were simply sublime!

Now, my time travel diary for this adventure is positively overflowing, so let me share some of the highlights!

Oh, Paris! My first stop was the Opéra de Paris, a grand and exquisite venue, a real architectural marvel. On this particular night, it was a treat for the eyes and ears. Imagine this - the very renowned dancer, Marie Sallé, took centre stage in a completely captivating performance! It's said she danced a "pas de caractère", with all the vibrant expressiveness you could dream of. I have it on good authority she was known for her graceful style and stunning artistry - oh, what a vision she must have been!

Her costumes! They were simply sensational. A beautiful mixture of delicate fabrics, soft colours, and opulent details - think silks, satins, and those glorious ribbons fluttering in the air. I absolutely adore her style; she was an inspiration, leading the way for women in dance and forging a path for female dancers to shine with talent and captivating skill. It's little wonder that this date in history became synonymous with her triumphant rise! I spent the whole evening in awe of her talent and her exquisite style. I simply had to purchase some fabric from the markets in the Parisian back alleys for a replica - my design is shaping up beautifully, dears. Just wait for it to feature in the next "Pink Tutu" magazine issue!

But of course, the adventure wasn’t all about performance! Paris, with its captivating cafés and boutiques, offered an opportunity to delve into the latest ballet fashion trends, all of which I have meticulously sketched for you, my dear readers! Oh, those shoes! Exquisite leather, tied at the ankle with tiny velvet bows - how utterly charming!

Of course, Paris isn't the only ballet-centric spot, dears. From my Parisian adventures, I journeyed towards Italy, the very birthplace of ballet, where the first dance academies began to blossom! This was, truly, a trip back in time, immersing myself in the origins of our beloved dance form! Oh, imagine it, dears - beautiful ballets showcasing the stories of mythology, all performed with exquisite grace. What a marvel!

There I discovered, tucked away in the Florentine libraries, the original manuscripts from the first ballets. Such a beautiful time in ballet history, a time when dance began to emerge as its own form of art. Those were exciting times, indeed!

While I was there, I took advantage of the Italian bakeries to sample some decadent delicacies and have my little leather rucksack filled with some truly scrumptious souvenirs for my return trip. A tiny slice of 18th-century Italy in Derbyshire, eh? Just wait for my post on all the delightful goodies from the Tuscan countryside!

From the dazzling palaces of Italy to the grand theatres of France, I travelled through a kaleidoscope of history with my dear, Magic Meg. Her golden hooves gently trotted through cobblestone streets, taking me from bustling market squares to grand estates, collecting snippets of stories and snippets of history to share with you, my precious readers. I can't imagine these time-travel adventures without her by my side, patiently waiting in the stable next to my Parisian hotel - yes, dears, the pink saddlebags were definitely a tad too eye-catching. A bit of pink goes a long way, and my dear, Magic Meg, enjoys it.

My time travel journal is full of intriguing encounters and mesmerising discoveries about this magnificent era, dears, all perfectly tailored for you, to take you back to 1734 and experience the world of ballet through my eyes. This was just a taste, dears, a sprinkle of my latest escapade through time. Stay tuned, darling dears, for my next post, where I promise you more tales from the history of ballet, more delightful sketches, and maybe, just maybe, I'll show you the outfit I made based on my Parisian finds! And don’t forget to check out my website www.pink-tutu.com to delve deeper into the vibrant history of ballet, explore all my exciting blog posts, and see my very special "Pink Tutu" magazine with even more fascinating tales about this beautiful, timeless dance. I'll be back soon, my lovelies!

Until then, twirl with joy and dream big, Emma xXx