Hello my gorgeous ballet lovers! Welcome to another instalment of the Pink Tutu Time Travels blog. This month we're venturing back to 1734, 8th August. A time when the French court was awash with powdered wigs and glittering jewels and - as you might guess from the title of this blog - some serious ballet action was happening!
Buckle up, my darlings, it's going to be a fabulously frivolous adventure!
Today, Magic Meg and I took a ride through time to the Palais Royal in Paris.
Now, you might not know this, but August 8th, 1734, saw a significant moment in ballet history: the premiere of "La Princesse d'Écosse" by the legendary Jean-Baptiste Lully.
I won't lie, even my fancy-dancing skills would have had a hard time pulling off this particular ballet! It was, as you'd expect for the French court, a grand affair with multiple acts full of dramatic characters and intricate plots.
Just imagine - grand sweeping movements in perfectly synchronized lines of powdered faces. The shimmering silks of the costumes reflecting the candlelight. Just the thought of it sends shivers of delight down my spine!
And you know what? Lully actually wasn't even the choreographer - he was the music director! Such a genius - truly, the ballet was directed by someone known only as “D’Auberval”. Imagine the gossip - how frustrating that this talent had no name recorded for posterity! Perhaps the dancing was too fabulous, eclipsing the identity of its creator?
Of course, no 18th century French court event is complete without a scandal! The scandalous part in the "La Princesse d'Écosse" was a certain dancer - Mlle. Mlle. de La Fontaine. It's whispered that she caused a sensation with a provocative pose in one of her ballets - a "chassé" which supposedly involved an incredible leap with a leg split that dared to expose an ankle! Gasps! Shocking! For the time, that's almost daring enough to wear a pink tutu. Just think - her scandalous display set the stage for all the fabulous flaunting and fancy footwork we enjoy in ballet today!
To get a better feel for the times, I took some time to wander through the Parisian markets. The sights, smells, and textures all came to life around me. I loved seeing the displays of fabrics: luxurious silks and velvets, as well as humble linens.
Now, remember my promise of pink?! I knew I had to have a pink fabric to represent this journey! Luckily for me, the markets had a few lovely shades to choose from, including a silk that could almost be called 'bubblegum'. Imagine it with all the frills, layers, and twirls. You're right, it's simply perfect.
Speaking of pink, can we talk about tutus for a second?! I just had to do a little research on 18th century fashion, and let me tell you - the dancers, ladies, and gents all looked pretty extra! While a traditional ballerina tutu wouldn't be in fashion for many years, there were already the early stages of what would become the most glamorous fashion piece in history.
Can you believe that back then they were wearing layered silk skirts and petticoats - even layers of hoop skirts to get that grand ball gown look? Well, they really weren't so different from tutus in a way!
The thing that got me thinking was: they wore a lot of lace and tulle. It just reminds me that my mission - everyone wearing a pink tutu - is even more achievable.
Imagine a world of dancers swirling in gorgeous layers of tulle, like a symphony of fluttering pinks - doesn't that make your heart dance? I'm just a tiny bit closer to fulfilling that goal!
Magic Meg took me to an outdoor cafe for a delightful afternoon treat - a warm, buttery pastry dusted with sugar. It reminded me that some of the simplest things can bring the greatest joy!
Of course, we ended the day by finding a little music. While they didn't have "ballets" exactly the way we know them today, a little group of musicians was playing a beautiful song - a mixture of violins and a lute, the melody full of joy and tenderness.
It made me want to twirl, you see? And twirl is what I have been doing.
Even in a bustling 18th-century market! My fancy footwork caused quite a stir, especially when I swirled my pink fabric to the rhythm of the music. You know I don't let an opportunity to get others on board with the pink tutu go to waste. I did try to convince some of the vendors to add a few pink-hued garments, but they just shook their heads.
Honestly, they didn't understand the magic.
So I brought them back something far more interesting. Something that I know will give you ballet enthusiasts the shivers!
The "Dances de L'Opéra", printed and sold in the marketplace, were the original program guides! These were beautifully drawn by such an excellent hand with exquisite details of each piece performed in the ballets! Each one featured lovely designs, a mix of fashion and choreography all rolled into one.
Can you believe I brought one back to share with you? I must say it's looking quite good with my collection. It fits beautifully in the back of my leather rucksack (it's all about matching fabrics, you see! You should know that about pink.)
So, as we ride back to our time, remember - the history of ballet is full of fantastic dancers and inspiring stories. With every time-travel trip I take, I find something incredible to share with you. Keep up the twirls!
Until next time, Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
