Hey there, darlings! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing time traveller, bringing you another fluttery journey through ballet history! This month, I'm skipping back to June 6th, 1762. Hold on to your tutus, my dears, because we're about to waltz through some absolutely fascinating history!
Before we take off, I have to introduce my trusty companion: Magic Meg, the most fabulous pink-sparkling Shire horse you ever did see. With golden hooves and a white mane and tail that practically glows in the moonlight, she's the ultimate pink princess steed, perfectly matched to my love of all things pretty and sparkly!
As always, my leather rucksack is packed for adventure, ready to collect ballet stories and treasures from this particular time in history. This month, I'm aiming for something absolutely extravagant: maybe a hand-painted fan, a silk flower for my hair, or a piece of ballet music!
Speaking of music, 1762 was a pretty remarkable year for dance! French ballet was really taking the world by storm, with Jean-Georges Noverre leading the way. He's considered the "father of modern ballet," you know. He even travelled to London and gave some of his "ballet d'action" (basically ballet storytelling with a plot) performances! Can you imagine?
That's what makes this time period so exciting – ballet was really changing from courtly dances to a theatrical form of entertainment. It was full of exciting innovation and experimentation.
Now, let's set our sights on June 6th, 1762, and what was happening in the world of ballet. That's when the Royal Ballet in Paris hosted a premiere of "The Marriage of Figaro" (written by a man called Pierre-Augustin Caron de Beaumarchais)! While we all know Figaro's marriage as an opera today, back then, it was a ballet with music by Luigi Boccherini! How divine!
Can you imagine how much fun a 1762 ballet performance would have been? Imagine huge ballrooms, glittering gowns, swirling dances, and beautiful costumes! I'm picturing long skirts and bonnets, and of course, my signature pink tutu adding a little something extra to the proceedings. 😉
While the tutu wasn't yet as popular as it is today, ballet fashion was definitely in a glamorous stage! Women wore gorgeous satin shoes, embroidered stockings, and silk corsets to dance! And let's not forget about the hairstyles, a symphony of curls and intricate hair decorations!
Just imagine the fun, the gossip, the grandeur – oh my! I’m really feeling the need for some more pink today!
Now, onto our own Pink Tutu Time Travel Blog, darlings!
Ballet Highlights:
- 1762 was a year of revolutionary ballet, especially with the emergence of "ballet d’action", which allowed stories to be told through movement!
- Jean-Georges Noverre became the biggest name in the world of dance, making ballet relevant to everyday people!
- Imagine how vibrant and enchanting a 1762 ballet would be, packed with beauty and grandeur!
And speaking of grandeur, the world of ballet in 2023 is pretty magnificent too!
My September ballet Picks
- The Royal Ballet: Just last month, I saw a dazzling performance of Giselle in London, and the intricate movements and beautiful costumes were enough to make anyone weep!
- English National Ballet: I can’t wait to see the National Ballet's production of The Sleeping Beauty – they never disappoint!
- New York City Ballet: New York is buzzing with some really innovative work right now. I'm planning a trip to see The Rite of Spring which sounds simply spellbinding!
Well, darling, it’s time for me to pack up my pink tutu and head out on the next exciting journey! As always, you can follow me at www.pink-tutu.com where I'll be sharing my adventures in a month!
See you all then!
