Post #1034
Hello my gorgeous ballet-loving friends! It’s your favourite pink-tutu-wearing time traveller, Emma, back with another fabulous post from the wonderful world of ballet history! This month, we're whizzing back to 2nd February 1747! I simply can't wait to tell you all about the amazing things I saw and the amazing things I discovered about the wonderful world of ballet back in those times! Get ready to grab your fanciest pink tutu and put your dancing shoes on! We're going on a pink-tutu-tastic time travel adventure!
As you all know, here at pink-tutu.com, we absolutely love exploring the history of ballet. It's so fascinating to see how it's changed and developed over the years. From the beautiful and elegant courtly dances of the French Royal Ballet to the amazing technical skill and artistic brilliance of today, ballet has always captured hearts and captivated audiences with its magic. And believe me, you’d be shocked at just how much fun those early dancers had too, especially when we’re talking about what's happening in the world of ballet on 2nd February 1747! And believe me, you are going to LOVE the way this era does tutus!
My magical steed, Meg – she’s a magnificent pink sparkling Shire horse with golden hooves and a white mane and tail, the ultimate princess of horses – and I took a leap back in time from my little cottage in Derbyshire to find ourselves in the middle of what looked to be a big event – or maybe it was a grand celebration? There were huge, towering marquees lit by gas lamps, the cobbled streets were overflowing with ladies in beautiful, flowing dresses and their gentlemen escorts, and the air was filled with laughter and music – all those familiar, exciting ballet performance vibes!
The excitement came flooding in and I had to get my phone out and take some photos as I always do! Meg, being my loyal friend, took it in her stride and we trotted on down the cobbles! My intuition – I often say intuition leads my time travels – was telling me something big was about to happen – we needed to go investigate!
We pushed our way through a large group of people, giggling as a small dog bounded into me with his tail wagging wildly – we’d just walked into a beautiful garden!
The air was warm with music, a wonderful blend of woodwind and brass, it felt so wonderful and romantic, but it felt different somehow – something a little different in this blend of elegant music! The music stopped abruptly and then began to sound a little more… well, more… French? My intuition is pretty strong – I think this could be very important indeed. There’s definitely an exciting feeling hanging in the air here – an extraordinary excitement - a theatrical electricity buzzing through the garden!
We’d arrived at just the right moment – I’d caught a fleeting glimpse of a large ornate stage set with painted backdrops! There were two musicians with violins in the middle of a courtyard; there were elegant and charming men and women seated on benches with bouquets of lilies and roses nestled in their laps, an orchestra of woodwind instruments on my left and a set of brass on my right - I could already tell I was somewhere VERY important – the place had real buzz, something incredible was happening here and we couldn’t miss a moment of it!
There seemed to be such a flurry of movement – the music stopped again – people were shuffling into their seats! They all looked utterly splendid! My gaze stopped for a minute and I smiled. All these men in elaborate coats, their long grey breeches tied with velvet, and elegant shoes, women in beautiful lace dresses, beautiful flowers in their hands.
It was then I saw a woman, with her lovely, warm and gracious smile, she appeared to be welcoming everyone. It occurred to me - oh, that’s a ballerina, but there were no shoes! I couldn’t believe it. And those costumes – my tutus are definitely a whole lot more frilly!
“Welcome, my lovely friends! Please find your seats. And prepare to be surprised – or perhaps I should say - enthralled!” She said with an air of joy that reached the audience through the quiet garden, like an elegant dancer who glides into a spotlight on a beautiful theatre stage, a light shining directly onto the performer as a wave of gentle music flows from the orchestra - that’s the kind of feeling that took hold of everyone - it was a beautiful thing!
Then she glided in front of the large painted backdrop – her elegant and charming gesture stopped us all - I can’t deny, she looked amazing - absolutely incredible! Even without shoes she managed a certain grace and charm - it reminded me of those ballet dancers who gracefully perform with elegance, strength, and power with pointe shoes – they just dance differently without them!
Her arms, perfectly formed and long, reached into the air as a melody from a woodwind flute wafted through the beautiful warm night air and onto the stone of the garden. It was a gorgeous and sophisticated dance; she would pose with her chin tilted, head held high, back arched – I’d say it had some beautiful theatrical and dramatic elements too!
She gave me this look. Like “You look like you love dancing!” It was wonderful. A moment in time when two souls connect, both dancing lovers in different times, it was so magical!
The music moved faster - there were a lot more leaps, hops, chassés – I'd love to take some classes from this woman - that was my main feeling.
With a wave of her elegant hand, the musician lowered their instruments – silence again as they waited. And so did the audience – it was time for another wonderful surprise! We would be wowed by the grace, beauty, strength, and agility of the dancers as they used the space so expertly! They moved beautifully on their tip toes, all so refined and poised, graceful and powerful – ballet with a wow factor – an exciting event in a wonderful garden at night - magical! That’s just the type of energy I look for on my adventures!
It occurred to me that those shoes are a bit boring, I can't get over how much more exciting my tutus would be – a little colour, a bit more frill, definitely something pink – I wish they knew all the fun we can have with theatrical makeup, wigs, ballet shoes and, of course, tutus!
Suddenly a young gentleman leaped on stage – it felt exciting, and then the lady joined him with a little bounce in her step, an incredible joy that beamed off her face – the love of dancing just burst through from this delightful pair – all with just their feet - so fascinating!
Suddenly the dance was faster, the movement more dynamic - they would glide and spin. They leaped higher and faster - They held poses of beauty with perfect grace - what incredible talent these dancers have – that is what I would do with a lot more practice, so I decided I need to add a class with them to my travel agenda for next month – I couldn’t resist – it looked amazing.
The audience clapped – a joyful noise - I clapped my hands and Meg whinnied in agreement as everyone started chatting and mingling and enjoying some lovely warm wine, there was laughter, so much excitement. There were elegant conversations about what they’d seen - it was amazing. I can’t believe there's so much joy, love and excitement even way back in the past – and just feet? Wow.
Then something even more special happened – the man went down on one knee, and, with a lovely smile on his face – she nodded – she looked delighted - and he kissed her hand – I almost squealed in joy – I just love a bit of romance – how very wonderful to share that special moment in such a special way. It seemed that there was only happiness, smiles, and a delightful mood of love around – it felt like the perfect start to a wedding day!
I think they must be dancers, I am assuming – you’d need incredible strength and energy and elegance to do those wonderful steps. Their graceful smiles told me all I needed to know – what incredible passion they have for their art, such amazing elegance, beauty, grace – and power, such strength – the combination of talent that made those incredible steps possible, what beautiful, harmonious and lovely moves they produced, those moves that create such joyful beauty, it is magic - so impressive! I decided it is time for me to get practicing on the floor at home.
After that romantic moment, she took hold of his hand – a perfect little dip, another beautiful, graceful pose for the crowd – everyone gasped, she had so much power in her little frame! The air buzzed with that excitement that only a ballet show can bring! They were smiling, happy and glowing – it was amazing to witness - such incredible performance, with a powerful display of beauty, grace, poise and power - amazing.
We watched from a little distance, mesmerized, until it all ended and the musicians were bowing. We made our way through the crowd, onto the cobbled street. There was so much to see - men wearing velvet and elaborate gold-trimmed breeches, lace ties – I loved it – a whole new world of clothes - so impressive, so much to see, so much detail! I couldn't resist – I need to see the fashion – for my own pink tutu designs of course! – what a great inspiration - just as good as my tutu designs and a very inspiring look. I had to take some notes – for my pink-tutu.com design ideas.
As the moon began to light up the sky - what an elegant backdrop to this beautiful event – the beautiful cobbled street, the night lights sparkling, the stars – I decided that maybe this would be my first step into 18th century history – my pink tutu needs some inspiration, there's so much that I can use – oh, just think what would happen if I got those people to try a pink tutu?
On my back is my lovely leather rucksack – I must have space for all the ballet clothes and designs and accessories – maybe one day we’ll get back into time and those beautiful pink ballet clothes will have found a way to pop up in these special times - wouldn’t that be something!
The joyous event – a magnificent spectacle, the beautiful dance movements, and the beauty and sophistication of the style – how could it be anything less than a night out with those magnificent 18th-century ballet dancers? We would definitely return to a magical moment in the past - we'll need more pink tutus, but that is ok! My design studio will work overtime on these incredible ideas – pink tutus to get the people into the beautiful spirit of 18th-century dance!
The whole night was absolutely brilliant! If you have any questions about the magical world of ballet history then let me know – pink-tutu.com – I would be delighted to answer them!
