Hello darling ballet bunnies, and welcome to my monthly dose of pink tutu time travels! It’s Emma here, and I’m absolutely brimming with excitement because today we’re waltzing our way back to 1740, 9th September – a date that, surprisingly, is absolutely brimming with ballet history. Yes, even back then, ballet was taking the world by storm, and I couldn't be more thrilled to be sharing this fascinating journey with you.
Now, before we jump into our time-travelling pink tutu adventures, let’s talk about outfits! I’ve chosen a custom-made, shimmering pink tulle tutu – the frills are just a little wider than usual, don’t you think? It perfectly captures the flamboyant spirit of 18th-century fashion, without feeling overly costume-y.
Magic Meg, my magnificent pink, sparkling Shire horse, is equally outfitted for our journey. A gorgeous golden bridle sparkles in the sunshine, complementing her flowing white mane and tail. I’ve even tied a pink ribbon to her forelock – it matches my tutu perfectly, don't you agree? And as always, my trusty leather rucksack is laden with ballet ephemera and stories.
Now, for our grand entrance! Today we’re landing at the Opera Garnier in Paris, a real masterpiece of French architecture and a must-see for any ballerina with a taste for history. However, the opera house as we know it wasn't built yet – 1740 was all about theatres. Our journey takes us to the Théâtre du Palais-Royal – a beautiful theatre showcasing the talents of Jean-Georges Noverre, a ballet master who changed the face of dance forever.
Imagine, my dears! Ballet at this time was a world of courtly elegance, shimmering costumes, and beautiful, intricate steps. Noverre, the rebellious genius, took the whole thing up a notch with his "ballet d'action," a style that focused on dramatic stories told through the movements of dancers. It was a revolutionary idea and laid the groundwork for the narrative-based ballets we see today.
So, we're on the front row, clutching my precious ballet-themed scrapbook and watching history unfold. We’re witnessing a dance piece titled “The Hunt”, and the energy is electric!
It's so captivating! Every step, every twirl, is so expressive. Noverre's ballets were far from the repetitive choreography we’re used to. It was truly a dance that told a story! It's inspiring and, to be honest, a little bit exhausting, because the ballet itself isn’t just dancing – it involves spoken dialogue too!
There’s such a sense of camaraderie and passion among the dancers, even though their shoes have nowhere near the grace of today's pointe shoes. These dancers are making history, not to mention shaping the art form as we know it.
However, there's another Parisian gem I'm eager to visit: the French Academy of Dance. I mean, any dancer in their right mind wants to step into this legendary academy, the one that brought us superstars like Marie Sallé. Although Sallé herself retired from the stage in 1734, she was one of those pioneers who helped push the boundaries of dance!
Here at the academy, everything is so orderly, so structured! They’re perfecting their postures and mastering the most incredible choreography – it’s breathtaking! My imagination goes wild with visions of the extraordinary moves they will unleash on the Parisian stage. The costumes, oh my dear – absolutely exquisite! I must say, my outfit feels just a little underwhelming in this company of shimmering satins and lace-trimmed corsets!
My rucksack is quickly filling up with sketches and even a piece of embroidered fabric – a lovely example of the sheer talent and artistry of those early ballets.
After a full day of historical immersion, we need some pink-tutu friendly retail therapy, darling! It's an age of elegant and feminine fashion – lace, satin, ribbons, oh my! Imagine, you could create an outfit out of just ruffles and bows – and it would be perfectly acceptable. That's the dream, isn’t it? It’s a world brimming with the charm and refinement that always appeals to my feminine side.
The ballet shops are simply divine, stocked with costumes and dance accessories that would make any ballerina's heart skip a beat. I managed to snag the most exquisite, pearl-studded garters for my pink tutu collection – just gorgeous! I can’t help but imagine them gracing the ankles of Parisian ballet stars, even if pointe shoes weren't invented yet.
As the sun starts its graceful descent, and my pink-tutu heart is full, Magic Meg trots us back to the safety of my Derbyshire stable. My bag overflowing with inspiration and memories, I begin to write in my journal about all my adventures today.
We're already looking forward to the next month's travel, my dear ballet bunnies. So don't forget to keep checking www.pink-tutu.com. Until then, keep twirling, keep dreaming, and remember, the most important thing in life is wearing your own personal pink tutu – one that radiates joy, confidence, and, of course, love for the beautiful art of ballet.
Your pink-tutu-wearing ballerina blogger, Emma
