Hello my darling dears! Emma here, your favourite pink-loving tutu-clad time-traveller. I'm back again with another blast from the past, and this month, we're delving into the magical world of ballet in the year 1742.
It's post number 979 on www.pink-tutu.com, and this time, I've whisked myself right back to Paris. You see, last month I travelled back to 1742 and went to see the debut of a ballet called "Les FĂȘtes de lâHymen et de lâAmour". It was a sensational experience!
But before I delve into all that, a little bit about how I funded my travels: you know I can't resist a good performance. I just knew that I had to grace the stage of the Royal Opera House with my presence for this month's grand "Swan Lake" performance. As a bonus, it allowed me to pay for the hay for my darling Magic Meg. After all, my trusty pink sparkling shire steed with golden hooves, a mane and tail like white silk, deserves the best!
And then, after a quick farewell to my fellow ballet lovers at the Royal Opera House, I kissed my horse's nose, held onto the magical reins, and off we flew!
A Second Serving of Ballet History
So, this time, I've gone back in time to continue exploring what was going on in the ballet world in 1742. We're still in Paris, my loves, which back then was the hub of all things ballet, a veritable fountain of beautiful movement and elegant costume design. The year was a thrilling time for Parisian ballet lovers â oh, wouldn't it have been glorious to be a Parisian lady and attend such lavish performances?!
Now, you may be thinking, "Emma, last month you were here! Surely thereâs not much more to learn?". But oh, darlings! 1742, just like any good ballet, had so many twists and turns. Last month I discussed the opening of the Salle des Spectacles at the HĂŽtel de Bourvallais, a space built specifically to showcase opera and ballet! This was a huge leap forward for ballet in France. It even led to a bit of a pas de deux of sorts!
Yes, darlings, this little dance on the stage of French ballet life actually involved two prominent names in French ballet - Louis PĂ©cour and Jean-Baptiste de Camargo. Now, this story has all the hallmarks of a grand and dramatic ballet. These two were each leading lights, each striving for the lead position as director, and each supported by their very own school of dancers. Their competitive spirit was like a shimmering and vibrant pas de deux of rivals vying for position!
PĂ©cour was the established, elegant veteran. He favoured ballet for his performance, choosing graceful movements, classical themes and storytelling over the dynamic acrobatic jumps and flamboyant gestures becoming increasingly popular at this time. He wanted to preserve ballet's history and continue the tradition that brought the form to such elegant heights!
Camargo, however, was young, revolutionary, and full of fiery energy. She wanted to shake things up, push the boundaries and show off her stunning skill, which she possessed in abundance, as youâll hear! Now, she loved to perform leaps, spins, jumps, and anything else that would show off her amazing athletic ability and physical prowess. She even wanted to shorten her skirts so she could move more freely, an idea that was quite scandalous at the time, you know! But of course, in the grand tradition of true ballet history, the skirt of her dress was still long enough for a dancer's skirt to remain dignified while allowing a certain level of agility.
Think of it, darlings: these two dancing through the history books, leaving an intricate path for ballet dancers in their wake. Just imagine what those performances would have been like - full of life, movement, drama and energy. How I would love to step back in time and watch it all happen myself! But then again, I was here. So imagine my delight at actually getting to witness history being made before my very eyes.
Les FĂȘtes de lâHymen et de lâAmour - The Debut of the Ballet
As for this ballet itself - oh, it was divine! âLes FĂȘtes de lâHymen et de lâAmourâ which means âThe Feasts of Hymen and Loveâ in English, is actually an operatic ballet. That's right, darlings, we have dancing, singing, storytelling all wrapped up in one magical show. What better way to celebrate love and the joyous occasion of marriage?
Imagine this, darlings, if you will: a magnificent performance in a gorgeous, spacious, well-lit theatre in Paris, the air filled with anticipation and excitement. Now, if you'll take your mind back to 1742, with our beautiful star performer Jean-Baptiste de Camargo dancing with a new kind of dynamism. The choreography itself, with its complex and intricate patterns, made for a thrilling experience. Imagine a whirlwind of delicate and complex moves combined with Camargoâs audacious leaps and pirouettes! Such artistry, such passion! Iâve told you how she even chose to shorten her skirts to make her leaps and turns more fluid. Imagine seeing this innovation take its first steps across the stage of Parisian history! Such bold and daring fashion - how very on-trend, my dear friends!
A Journey Through Time in a Pink Tutu
Of course, when I was at the show, I took out my trusty rucksack - that vintage brown leather bag with a pink heart embroidered on it, just the perfect place for a time-travelling tutu-lover to stash my trinkets of memories. This one has the most magnificent illustrations Iâve ever found of costume designs for the time. Iâve had so many moments in this world that truly captured the history of balletâs past. There are beautiful descriptions, sketches of costumes that could rival the finest Haute Couture! Even in those early days, the designers knew how to create gorgeous and spectacular ballet fashion.
Even with all the incredible discoveries and exciting journeys into history, it still saddens me that most people haven't had the opportunity to travel in time! Imagine experiencing this world's incredible stories, fashions, and, of course, the dance of history itself!
If only they could feel the magic of time travel themselves. Itâs my lifelong dream to show all my fellow tutu-loving fashionistas how to make this magic happen - to let the pink tutu revolution reach every corner of our beautiful, swirling world. I truly hope one day I can whisk all of you onto the wings of Magic Meg, to see with your own eyes the incredible evolution of dance through the centuries, the stories behind the pirouettes and the beauty of every pas de deux. Until then, please keep those toes a-tapping, your smiles bright, and remember, always, always embrace the pink!
See you next month, darling dears, for a new trip back through time,
Emma
xxx
