Hello my dearest tutu-lovers! It's Emma here, back from another enchanting journey through time! This month, Magic Meg, my trusty pink sparkling Shire horse, whisked me away to the shimmering world of ballet in 1735. We landed right on 7th July, a date forever etched in ballet history, and you won't believe what we found!
But first, let's talk about my latest outfit! I'm wearing a glorious new pink tutu. It’s a masterpiece, created by my dear friend and dressmaker, Beatrice, using a gossamer tulle that captures the softest rays of the morning sun. It’s perfect for twirling in! Of course, my trusty pink leather rucksack is overflowing with treasures from our journey, ready to be unpacked and shared with you!
As we arrived in 1735, the scent of wildflowers hung heavy in the air and the streets buzzed with a quiet charm. Our first stop? A little French town, where a delightful spectacle awaited. In the local theatre, the Compagnie des Grands Ballets, a pioneering troupe of dancers, was performing. You won't believe it! The entire piece was based around an intricate, poetic narrative – a world away from the pantomimes that had been the standard fare.
Imagine a ballerina, not simply dancing in a formal space, but interpreting emotions, telling a story with her body. It was utterly breathtaking. It was during this performance that I saw my first truly grand ballet - not just beautiful dance steps but a journey of emotions and drama. They even wore pointed shoes, precursors to the pointe shoes we know and love today. I learned that the Italian maestro, Jean-Georges Noverre, had spearheaded this revolution in ballet – the birth of ballet d’action. He was a true visionary, and the company, though a fledgling, had so much spirit and energy.
Our rucksack now holds a precious ballet booklet filled with notes I jotted down about the company, a miniature watercolour depicting the dancers and a snippet of the beautiful music. You see, I always collect keepsakes to share these moments with you!
I don't want to leave you in suspense, so let me reveal that we found other treasures as well! Our adventure took us to Paris, where we dined at a salon, a bustling gathering of dancers and nobles. We were immersed in the swirling social life surrounding ballet, where graceful figures in velvet and silk gowns moved through the space with as much elegance as the dancers they admired. I, of course, fit right in with my pink tutu, causing a little flutter in the ballroom, wouldn’t you know it? I managed to glean a peek into the notebooks of a budding young composer, a future giant of ballet, a Monsieur Jean-Philippe Rameau. He had an almost mystical gift for blending music and dance into a symphony of emotions.
One thing we observed was the sheer effort and passion these dancers brought to the art form. They weren’t mere performers; they were artists who poured their souls into each movement. Just the sight of these dancers, in their elegant costumes, the grace of their movements, the story they told through each arabesque, each pirouette, was a captivating spectacle. Their dancing inspired me, fuelled my love for this art form, and made my own dance even more beautiful, more expressive.
It’s hard to explain how the colours and movements from that time resonated with me. Maybe it’s because we still find a similar passion and expression in modern-day ballet performances. It truly feels like timelessness - an endless cycle of emotion and movement, captured in every delicate movement and every breathtaking pirouette.
That was just a glimpse of our trip back in time! Of course, my dear friends, I’m determined to make sure everyone’s a part of this journey through dance history! You see, every one of us can become a ballet lover! All you have to do is put on a pink tutu!
We all have a touch of magic inside us, waiting to be released. Let your own inner ballerina twirl freely, with passion and grace! And, as always, be sure to check out the www.pink-tutu.com for a daily dose of inspiration. You might even find yourself whisked away on your own ballet adventure, all in a swirl of pink!
Until next month, darling friends, keep twirling and remember to sparkle.
With all my heart, Emma
Further Notes on Ballet History during 1735 7 July:
On July 7th, 1735, a ballet company, the Compagnie des Grands Ballets, founded in 1729 in Paris, would likely have been performing in the provinces at this time. Although no specific productions are confirmed on this exact date, a performance would not have been unusual.
The Company’s founders had a clear aim: They sought to push the boundaries of the existing ballet. The group experimented with narrative structure, blending movement and gesture to tell stories in their dance. In doing so, the Compagnie des Grands Ballets marked a key moment in ballet's development and paved the way for ballet d’action - an art form centred on storytelling, expression and characterisation.
At the same time, Jean-Philippe Rameau was beginning to emerge as one of France’s greatest ballet composers. By 1735, he was gaining renown for his unique talent for intertwining musical structure with choreography. He blended traditional baroque music with the expressive demands of this new narrative form of ballet, adding an entirely new layer of depth to the genre.
This period in ballet history also marked the transition from formal, codified dance steps to an increased focus on artistic expression and dramatic movement. This shift laid the groundwork for the development of later ballet forms.
This exciting period in ballet's journey highlights how ballet, like Emma's Pink Tutu, is a dynamic force. It continues to evolve and amaze, telling stories, revealing emotions, and captivating audiences across time and cultures.
