Hello darling! Welcome back to my Pink Tutu Time Travels blog, where I explore the fascinating history of ballet, one sparkly tutu at a time. It’s your favourite blogger, Emma, and this month, we're going all the way back to 1737, to a rather grand evening at the Royal Opera House in London.
Before we embark on our adventure, a quick reminder that I fund these whimsical time travels with my performances. Yes, you heard that right! My darling Magic Meg, the most fabulous pink sparkly shire horse you'll ever see (complete with a golden hooves and white mane and tail), whisks me back through time after each sold-out performance!
Now, as for this month’s destination - July 7th, 1737, is a very important date for ballet history! It's the night of the very first performance of "L'Opéra Balletto" at the brand new Covent Garden Theatre, the forerunner of the iconic Royal Opera House we know today. This wasn't just any ordinary performance - it was an entirely new type of ballet!
Magic Meg trotted us up to the entrance of the Covent Garden Theatre, its beautiful, baroque façade lit by candlelight. I felt a tingle of excitement, already imagining the glamour that lay ahead! As we entered, the air thrummed with the buzz of anticipation - whispers about the "ballet-opera" filled the air. And what a crowd! London's elite had come to see this historic first performance.
The orchestra was positioned above the stage - oh, how I yearned to play a beautiful melody on the oboe - and it truly was a magical sight! I couldn't help but admire the incredible costumes, with their swirling colours and dramatic embroidery.
L’Opera Balletto was like nothing I'd ever seen! It blended drama and dance, with a storyline interwoven with elaborate choreographed routines. It was a revolution for the ballet world!
But my favourite part? The intricate tutus. While the modern, voluminous tulle skirt may seem synonymous with ballet, tutus back then were much shorter and were made of multiple layers of fabric, sometimes trimmed with lace or ruffles. They had a simple but graceful shape that beautifully accented the dancer’s movements. I felt a twinge of inspiration – I needed to incorporate these more historical elements in my next performance!
The highlight of the evening came as I observed the breathtaking grace and expressiveness of the ballerinas. They were the stars of the show, with incredible control over their bodies, communicating stories through their gestures and elegant leaps.
Imagine the audacity to step onto a stage, under the glittering candlelight, and to tell a story solely through your movements. I found myself lost in the rhythm of the music, in the magical storytelling unfolding before me. I was in awe! The dance became my passion that night, the driving force behind my own tutu dreams!
Of course, I had to sneak some souvenirs into my rucksack for my ballet museum collection. I snagged a small program with detailed drawings of the dance sequences. The colours and costumes were incredible! The delicate paper rustled gently, and I knew that with this, I’d captured the magic of that night forever.
Oh, the stories we collect in our travels, the memories we bring back! I know I mentioned how the night solidified my passion for ballet – But this night also inspired my biggest dream: I’ll have everyone wearing pink tutus!
This is why my time travels are so essential. Seeing ballet in its various forms through history helps me evolve as a dancer and performer, refining my understanding of its nuances. Every adventure feeds my creativity and lets me find ways to spread the ballet love!
So, until next time, stay pink, stay twirling and stay curious!
Emma xx
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