#BalletHistory during 1766 11 November

Hello, darling dancers! Emma here, your time-travelling ballerina extraordinaire, back from another breathtaking journey through history. This month, I’ve journeyed to the elegant streets of Paris, a city synonymous with style and grace, just as I am with my beloved pink tutus! ✨

Now, as you know, a pink tutu just begs to be twirled in a Parisian ballroom. It’s where it all started for ballet, remember? This very city!

But let’s talk history – not just any history, but ballet history! This is what gets me twirling in excitement!

My time-travel adventures this time involved November 11th, 1766, and I can’t wait to share with you what I discovered about the dance world back then.

But first, my ever-reliable travel companion, Magic Meg, needs a good groom. This magnificent, sparkling pink Shire horse (with the most incredible golden hooves and white mane and tail!), loves Parisian cobblestones almost as much as she loves pink hay! 💖

Now, where was I? Oh yes, 11th of November, 1766! The French ballet scene was positively booming in this era, and there was one big event that everyone was buzzing about: a performance of the opera-ballet “Le Barbier de Séville,” or "The Barber of Seville." This playful opera-ballet by Giovanni Paisiello was being performed at the Paris Opéra, a grand venue just teeming with intrigue and romance.

Can you imagine? A Parisian ballroom, flickering candlelight, elegant gowns swirling like tulle...and, of course, a fantastic ballet sequence. 🩰 Imagine twirling through a dance set in this very atmosphere - pure magic, isn’t it?

This Parisian journey made me think about how ballet itself is a true fashion show. Even in the 1760s, elegant costuming was essential. And we can’t forget about those captivating, “en pointe” performances. Even in 1766, this art form demanded dedication and discipline. These performers, truly inspiring!

What else happened on the 11th of November, 1766 in the world of ballet?

I uncovered a wealth of stories tucked away in old manuscripts in a tucked-away library on the Champs-Élysées (just after a quick visit to my favourite antique costume shop)! And what I learned was simply fascinating!

• This year, Pierre Beauchamp’s iconic book "A Compleat Treatise of the Art of Dancing" was re-published in French. This was huge in the world of ballet. This guidebook laid the groundwork for many ballet techniques used today, showing how our beloved form of art has continued to evolve.

• On that very same day in November, the French playwright and actor, Jean-Baptiste Lully, received the prestigious “Academie Royale de Musique.” This was a massive honour back then and cemented his reputation as one of France’s most celebrated musical figures.

• "Les Grands Danseurs" - that's the term everyone was using to describe the hottest male dancers on the Paris stage! I couldn't help but notice how dancers, even back then, enjoyed that bit of stardust and fame.

It wouldn’t be a trip to Paris without a dash of fashion, and let me tell you, 18th-century Parisian fashion is just my cup of tea - or shall I say, a glass of champagne?! 😉

There’s a charm about the period that's so timeless, elegant and bold, and it truly reflects how we, as dancers, continue to push boundaries with our tutus.

Think bouffant hairstyles adorned with intricate bows, delicate lace trimmings, powdered wigs, and those beautiful long silk gloves. I’d say they could rival the artistry of today’s best red-carpet gowns, wouldn’t you?

This journey added a few new gems to my rucksack - a beautiful lace shawl I found at a dusty antique shop (which will go perfectly with my vintage pink tutu), and an exquisite silver pendant depicting a ballerina, I discovered nestled in a second-hand jewellery store!

You bet, those are heading to my personal collection! 😉 Every piece of fashion I acquire represents a story, and that’s what I love about history – fashion isn’t just clothing, it’s a reflection of the times and a powerful storyteller in its own right!

Now, I’m on a mission - a mission to spread the pink tutu love across all of time and space! After all, if those Parisian ballerinas had the courage to step onto the stage with elegance and style, why not embrace a pink tutu to unleash our own inner dance diva? 💖

So, get your tutus ready, darlings! Join me on my next adventure as I share stories of ballet from every era.

Until next time, let your feet take you on a magical journey! 🩰💖

Keep spreading that pink tutu joy and join me at www.pink-tutu.com!

Yours truly,

Emma 💖