Hello, my darling ballet bunnies! Itās Emma here, ready to take you on another magical journey through time with my trusty steed, Magic Meg, and my trusty, oh-so-pink tutu.
This month, we're jetting back to the 1740s. Buckle up for a trip through a time when dancing was considered a truly scandalous activity. Honestly, imagine it! Could you even dream of waltzing around a ballroom in 1740 without raising some eyebrows? The horror! But you see, dear reader, history just goes to show that a love of dance is universal, across time and space.
This week on my blog, Iāll be posting on 7th July 1740. And Iāve been collecting all sorts of enchanting items from the time period which Iāll be putting in my special leather rucksack ā and theyāre absolutely fascinating. Just picture, darling, the thrill of seeing these items ā a first edition book of Rameau's ballet music, maybe a silk sash used to embellish a costume, perhaps a quill pen dipped in ink to scribble notes on the choreography for a local ballet.
Iāve always loved learning about history, but combining it with my beloved ballet has just made it so much more magical. This month's journey is truly extraordinary as we journey to a time when the art of dance was blossoming. It was also a time of social upheaval, and the power of dance became a tool for expression and change.
But let's get back to the exciting date - 7th July 1740. And the extraordinary happenings in the ballet world that month.
It was, darling, the 37th birthday of Louis XIV. Did you know that? Yes! Now thereās a royal dancer. You should have seen him pirouette and arabesque in the grand gardens of Versailles! The man was absolutely legendary. Of course, you wouldnāt have seen the King in a pink tutuā¦ he probably had his courtiers put together something slightly less frilly.
Speaking of which, I couldn't help but be mesmerized by the fashionable dances in Paris. They were taking the city by storm with their elaborate costumes and the graceful, elegant choreography of those bygone years. In fact, I spied an inscription on a manuscript that mentions a performance of a charming ballet performed by Monsieur Noverre ā can you even imagine? A ballerina with a pink tutu wouldn't be so out of place, my darling readers!
You see, at this time in history, ballet was all the rage across Europe. People were fascinated by the spectacle, the grace, and the emotional storytelling it offered.
Across the channel, in London, the theatres were busy putting on productions of The Harlotās Progress, an enchanting ballet telling the tragic tale of a young girl who, well, darling, let's just say it didn't end well. You can see, in the costumes, a shift from the grandeur of the Italian court to the elegant lines of the English theatre scene ā but of course, they all use beautiful music by Handel as a soundtrack, it was truly mesmerizing.
Oh, my dear readers, imagine, on a hot summer evening, in London, in 1740 seeing Handelās The Harlotās Progress at the Covent Garden Theatre! I can just picture myself gliding into the theatre wearing a beautiful pink tulle tutu, with my dancing shoes tapping a little to the rhythm. A ballet, that is sure to captivate the soul with its emotional and moralizing story ā such an enchanting glimpse into the theatrical world.
Now, you might think, Emma, isnāt the world of ballet today quite a bit more extravagant and dazzling? You might be surprised to discover, my darling readers, the power of theatre, fashion and dancing back in those times was so rich, so emotional, so captivating - just like today! Itās truly inspiring and just shows that ballet really has the power to move everyone, regardless of the year, regardless of the style.
So, as we celebrate this momentous anniversary, darling, I hope this month youāre feeling just as pink and elegant as I am ā and maybe even dreaming of waltzing through history in your very own pink tutu.
And if youāre ready to embrace your inner ballerina, you know where to find me! Itās at www.pink-tutu.com ā itās our magical world, darling, full of stories, dreams and the joy of dance!
P.S. Iāll be holding a giveaway on my Instagram page (@pinktutuemma), so head on over and join us for some pink and glittery fun. Itās just another chance to spread my message: āEvery ballerina should own a pink tutu.ā And don't forget to subscribe to the blog for more time-traveling adventures!
Until next time, darlings. Letās keep spreading the love of ballet!
Lots of love,
Emma
