Hello darling dancers!
It's Emma here, your resident pink tutu-clad time traveller, back with another adventure from the world of ballet! This month, I'm whisking us back to a very special date – 7th July 1745!
I must admit, my pink tutu felt rather out of place as I rode into the heart of London on Magic Meg, a shire horse with a mane like spun gold, and a dazzling pink coat. Imagine, darling! The cobblestones beneath us, the smell of fresh bread from the bakeries, the horses and carriages rumbling by – all this, and my oh-so-fabulous tutu twirling with every step! I must confess, my leather rucksack felt extra heavy this month; it was full to the brim with treasures from this captivating era, like a beautiful old ballet book, and even a sketch of a ballet costume, which I plan to share with you all later on!
A Ballet Birthday?
So what happened on 7th July 1745, you might ask? Well, we don’t know of any particular ballet debuts or milestones that occurred that specific day! However, we are right smack bang in the middle of some very exciting times for dance.
This year, the very first professional ballet school was established in Paris, the Académie Royale de Danse. Just imagine, learning the very steps that would later influence the ballet world we know and love today! They had just premiered L'Académie des plaisirs in 1743, a truly elegant spectacle. You know, it's amazing to think how quickly dance evolved back then, don't you?
Of course, all this incredible development comes hand-in-hand with some stunning ballet fashions, don't you agree? I must say, the pastel tones of that era were simply breathtaking! Can you imagine delicate ribbons and lace adorning a ballet skirt, and bodices so finely crafted? It's practically a work of art, wouldn't you say? Oh, how I long for a time machine just for ballet outfits, darling!
Onwards and Upwards to the Dance Floor!
To celebrate my time travel adventures, you can join me this month, my darling dancers, at a performance celebrating ballet history in the heart of Derbyshire, at The Curve theatre in Derby. We'll be celebrating some of the best dance works of this era, with a touch of my personal pink magic, naturally!
And oh, before I forget – have you seen the newest Ballet National de Paris programme? Simply stunning! With a special focus on costume design and innovative storytelling, it's definitely a show you won't want to miss!
I hope you're all feeling inspired, my darlings.
Don't forget, share your ballet dreams and aspirations, because you are all shining stars in your own right! Remember to follow my blog www.pink-tutu.com and join me next month for more time-travelling adventures!
Sending you all my love, Emma 💖
(Emma pauses to catch her breath.)
And now for something extra special, dear dancers: I managed to secure tickets to La Pyramide at the Salle de l’Opéra de Paris. You know how much I adore those classical ballets, don't you? The drama, the precision, the absolute mastery of technique! La Pyramide, however, is a little different; its full title is La Pyramide, ou Les trois sultanes. This one-act ballet premiered in Paris on November 17, 1741!
The Power of Performance
As I mentioned, I find this performance captivating, partly for its unique approach! It uses elements from comédie-ballet, that magical blend of ballet and comedy. Can you imagine? Dancing, singing, acting – it was all mixed into a captivating whole! Imagine having that at your fingertips! I am trying to put this very act into a modern stage adaption for our annual Derby International Ballet Festival. I'd love to introduce a bit of 18th century fun into the mix! I'll keep you all posted on how things progress.
You know what? The more I think about it, the more fascinated I am by this era! We might see those big tutus like we're used to today, but it's all about the costumes that truly mesmerize! Think elegant bodices with those fabulous ruffled sleeves and beautiful satin. The dancers of that era truly knew how to create a spectacle! Imagine a ballet on the Thames river, dear reader! Well, in 1745, it was a bit of a trend. Think boats, floating stages, and the magic of dancing in a truly unique setting. It just shows, darlings, the possibilities for dance are truly endless!
Ballet fashion in 1745
Now let's talk about ballet fashion in 1745! It’s time for me to step back into the studio and sketch! Oh, darling, the details of these costumes are divine! Ballet dancers of this era sported such beautiful fabrics and shapes, and I know you're just dying for the details. So grab your sketchbooks and sharpen those pencils. Get ready to dive into a world of ballet fashion history!
Let's start with those stunning skirts! In 1745, we saw long, flowing skirts, which sometimes reached all the way down to the dancer's ankles! These skirts, or more precisely the demi-longs, would have been a delicate and graceful blend of silk, satin, or even luxurious velvet. Can you imagine dancing in that fabric, flowing in a soft breeze? And of course, darling, you have the very important petticoat for that added flounce and sway as the skirt dances in the air. They were not meant to hinder, dear readers, but enhance movement! I want to include a special segment about ballet petticoats for a future blog post.
And then, darling, we move to those beautifully crafted bodices! I can almost feel the lightness and grace of these incredible works of art. The bodices in 1745 were a perfect harmony of functionality and fashion. Usually they were constructed using fine brocade or embroidered silks, beautifully tailored for ease of movement yet creating a sophisticated appearance. The boning (a structured element which helped provide a corset-like support to keep it shaped beautifully) allowed the bodice to accentuate the dancer's form. You know, just as a corset in a modern day ballerina’s tutu! It’s all about movement and poise and allowing those graceful leaps and arabesques to flow with elegance! I find myself sketching designs as I imagine myself waltzing with those historical figures. Perhaps someday, in the Derby International Ballet Festival we could even include some beautiful reconstructions for that 18th century charm!
Don't forget those lovely sleeves! Yes, the dancers of this era wore short or three-quarter-length sleeves that ended just before the elbow. Sometimes, they featured ruffles or frills – perfect for that extra hint of dramatic flair and movement! Just imagine dancing and those sleeves creating swirls and whirls of visual beauty as they move about! They just had to be crafted perfectly to avoid a drag during a pas de bourrée! But just picture them – all that movement and that added dimension. It's almost like you are on stage with them just watching those sleeves add to the visual narrative. And I feel it is what helps differentiate one piece of ballet history to the other.
But what would ballet fashion be without those tiny, yet powerful accessories, darling? Ballet fashion was also full of details like silk ribbons, lace trim, and sparkling jewels that added a sprinkle of magic! I often wear those bows for inspiration during performances in Derby! These delicate embellishments weren't just decorative; they served a key purpose - to capture the eye, highlight the dance, and provide a unique charm to those costumes, darling! It is a trend we definitely need to resurrect, in my opinion!
Looking Ahead:
So darling dancers, my month travelling back in time to 7th July 1745 is over, and my tutu's ready for the next dance. The next time I get into my time travelling clothes, it’s onward to 18th century Italy to see Il mondo della luna – a ballet with a magical storyline by Luigi Vincenti. You know, I love the fact that opera and ballet were often intertwined, darling. The combination just elevates both performances, wouldn’t you say?
And with that, dear reader, my time travelling adventures will continue to reveal secrets from ballet's captivating history, sharing the stories behind those grand gestures and inspiring routines, all whilst making the world pink! 💖
