Welcome, lovelies! It’s Emma here, your very own pink tutu-clad time travelling ballet aficionado! It’s been a little while, but I’ve been busy hopping through the time-space continuum in my sparkly pink tutu, collecting all the very best ballet bits from our magnificent, pirouetting past! This month, my trusty steed, Magic Meg, took me all the way back to 1752, a time when powdered wigs were all the rage and the ballet world was on the verge of a fabulous new era.
Let’s just say my 20th-century fuchsia feather boa caused quite a stir, even in a court brimming with fancy frocks and feathered hats! 😉 But let's not get ahead of ourselves...
#1094: The Pink Tutu Travels Blog - February 2nd, 1752.
Today is a rather significant date in ballet history! February 2nd, 1752, saw the royal premiere of "La Fête des Champs" at the Opéra du Palais-Royal in Paris. Imagine - the thrill, the elegance! Even though ballet was in its infancy in France, the excitement was truly electric.
Now, La Fête des Champs was no ordinary ballet, darling. It was considered the first ballet d’action, showcasing the dramatic potential of the ballet form. The storyline? Pure Parisian romance! It's all about shepherds and shepherdesses cavorting amidst gorgeous countryside backdrops, falling in love under starry skies. Ah, how romantic!
I've been digging deep into the history books, and "La Fête des Champs" sounds absolutely enchanting! Picture it: elaborate costumes in shimmering satins and taffetas, and a story unfolding through grace, strength, and the pure poetry of movement. I bet those 18th century French dancers would be right at home in the Royal Opera House in London, twirling under the chandeliers.
My favourite bit about "La Fête des Champs"? It premiered alongside another masterpiece called "L'Amour et Psyché," also a ballet d’action full of breathtaking dance and poetic beauty. What a fabulous night for the French ballet world!
Fashionably Feteful!
It wouldn't be a Pink Tutu Travels post without a little ballet fashion update, now would it? Oh, how I love those historical garments, all frothy and layered with exquisite craftsmanship. Imagine, wearing a silken dress, with lace-trimmed panniers and delicate silk stockings! My 21st century pink tutu wouldn't be out of place amidst the layers of lace and tulle, I reckon.
Speaking of costumes, ballet d’action called for even more elaborate creations than usual, highlighting each dramatic moment of the stories being told. And wouldn’t you know it? The French ballerinas of this period, wearing lavish silks, became known as the "Femmes fatales" because of the bold elegance and strength in their movements. They had such power! Imagine yourself, darling, leaping and spinning in a billowing skirt, embodying the very essence of love and life, a whirlwind of grace and beauty.
Time for some Ballet Magic
Every trip is different, my loves. The stories I collect, the glimpses into the past, and the sights and smells all merge to create a captivating journey, and today’s is simply magical. Just being surrounded by the elegance and artistry of that era was absolutely delightful.
So, before I disappear back through the portal with my shimmering friend Magic Meg, do make sure to head over to www.pink-tutu.com to see the latest photos and ballet tidbits!
Until next time, may your tutus twirl, your dreams be grand, and your love for the dance be endless!
**Lots of Love,
Emma 💕**
