Hello my darlings, and welcome to another instalment of your favourite time-travelling ballet blog! I'm Emma, and I'm on a mission to spread the pink tutu gospel throughout the ages. This month, my sparkly steed Magic Meg and I have set our sights on the year 1741. Now, if you think 1741 doesn't sound like a time for tutus, think again! This year marks a rather momentous occasion in the ballet world – a little something called Les Fêtes de Polymnie!
We're off to the Palais-Royal in Paris, which is buzzing with anticipation. I’ve been so busy fitting in a few practice sessions and my sparkly pink tutu – wouldn’t want to arrive without the perfect ensemble, would we? It’s a custom-made one this time – oh, I love the craftsmanship that went into making it – and features shimmering beads that I picked up in the eighteenth century’s very own vintage market – a real find!
And this event isn’t just a simple performance! Les Fêtes de Polymnie was actually an extravagant festival celebrating the ballet's growth and popularity. Can you believe? The entire city’s agog with excitement as people dress to the nines and take to the streets – I even saw a gentleman sporting a waistcoat with a delicate floral design!
Imagine the crowds, my darlings! People from all walks of life are gathered together, filled with the thrill of the upcoming event. Everyone, it seems, is talking about Les Fêtes! It was a joyous occasion, not just because of the dazzling displays of dance and the grandeur of it all, but because of what it symbolized - a powerful confirmation that ballet wasn't a fleeting fancy but was, quite undeniably, taking centre stage! It’s enough to bring a tear to my eye just thinking about it, really.
Magic Meg and I even stopped by the Salle des Machines, an epic space just outside the Tuileries Garden. My heart was in my mouth, watching dancers whirl about under such enormous chandeliers! There's just something so thrilling about seeing how ballet was perceived in different places and different eras.
Speaking of spaces, one thing I noticed straight away about 1741 is how the idea of the ‘stage’ wasn't always what it is now. I can tell that the movement on stage wasn’t confined to just dancers - there was the use of scenery and spectacular effects! Think grand sets and elaborate costumes, the perfect way to enhance the stories that the dancers tell with their bodies. I’ve scribbled down some notes, and I can’t wait to create my own version of the theatricality of 1741 ballet at home. I think I’ll incorporate the use of silks to represent the shimmering silks in their costumes, and some elaborate headpieces.
In my rucksack, I've got all sorts of delightful finds - a beautiful, slightly faded copy of the Opera-ballet, Le Ballet du Roi, an elegant set of earrings crafted from polished jet, and an inscription from one of the most celebrated ballet dancers of the era, Marie Sallé. Imagine, owning a part of her history!
But wait! There’s so much more to talk about. Did you know that Les Fêtes de Polymnie marked the introduction of a famous piece by Jean-Philippe Rameau called Les Indes Galantes? It’s a masterpiece, a beautiful dance of love and drama. If you ever get a chance to watch it, my darlings, don’t miss it. I spent a delightful hour listening to it in a small tea house overlooking the Seine, sipping some delicious, pink herbal tea, and imagining the beautiful steps, the music and the elegance of the time.
We also encountered some rather interesting figures from the world of ballet at the time, like Pierre Beauchamps, a pioneer who believed ballet was a complete art form and made sure dancers weren’t just doing tricks but embodying an artistic narrative with their movements. We have a lot to thank him for! He seems a kindred spirit to me! I have even more stories and sketches about him tucked safely in my backpack – so much inspiration for my own creative dance journeys.
This journey through 1741 has filled me with a sense of history and artistry! Just when you think you know all there is to know about ballet, it’s amazing how the past can reveal exciting details and rekindle your passion.
So, darlings, make sure you mark your calendars – January 1st, 1741, marks an era when ballet wasn’t just dance but a powerful force of artistic expression that drew people together, a real symbol of culture and creativity. What a glorious time to have been alive, surrounded by all that music, dance, and energy. And as for me, I'm off to my next destination, spreading pink tutu love – stay tuned! ✨💖
