Welcome back, lovelies! This is post number 1283 on www.pink-tutu.com, your monthly dose of all things ballet and time travel. Today we're swirling back to November 11th, 1767, to meet the man who literally set the stage for a whole era of ballet: Jean-Georges Noverre.
This was no ordinary day for the world of ballet. Noverre, the maverick dancer and choreographer, was born in Paris on this very day. Now, he's better known as āthe father of ballet d'action,ā which means that he invented the idea of ballet telling stories, and wow, did he make it dramatic! Forget graceful poses and simple steps; he brought passionate storylines, strong character development, and emotion to ballet like no one had ever done before!
Noverre revolutionised ballet with his āLetters on Dancingā which are filled with fabulous, imaginative ideas about what ballet could become. Imagine having all this gorgeous drama, all these fabulous costumes and a proper storyline... You can just see why Noverreās ideas caused such a stir in the ballet world!
My favourite part is his obsession with the importance of facial expressions and body language in performance. Itās just like how modern ballerinas, especially in contemporary pieces, express emotion with their bodies as much as their steps! You'll never find Noverre praising blandness, no, his ideas were about unleashing the drama in ballet!
I just know he'd have loved my pink tutu! After all, he's the reason we've had so many fabulous, vibrant, dramatic and colourful ballet productions. And speaking of drama and colour... imagine how thrilling it was back then when women began to wear shoes on stage, with those gorgeous little, pointed satin slippers instead of those horrible flat shoes with straps. Noverre, Iām sure, had a field day choosing the most beautiful colours and designs! It sounds like the ultimate fashion era to be a ballerina!
And it just makes me love ballet fashion all the more! Imagine seeing the stunning costumes of those pioneering female dancers, moving with such grace, making these revolutionary leaps! Imagine the gorgeous silks, the satin shoes... Noverre, he's the real fashion icon, that one!
Right now, Magic Meg and I are getting ready for a journey, not just back in time to 1767 but a journey back to the origins of this innovative art form, where dancers went from the strict court ballet to these expressive narratives!
The world of ballet was very different back then, so expect a grand old show, with a mix of music and dancing, even some acting and singing. Itāll be more of an entertainment, but we'll catch glimpses of how things have changed. We'll meet dancers like the stunning and graceful Marie SallĆ© who championed innovation and dramatic expression in her roles, just like Noverre!
Let me tell you, the show wouldn't be complete without some fantastic music. So, imagine youāre standing in a grand ballroom with the music of Mozart, HƤndel, Rameau, and many others filling the air! Doesnāt that sound just exquisite? The sounds of such illustrious composers weaving through a ballet spectacleā¦ ah, you're going to love it!
So grab your best pink tutu, put your ballet shoes on and pack your bag full of imagination. Today we're getting swept away with Noverre's dramatic vision!
What to Pack for This Trip:
My leather rucksack is overflowing with things for our journey. I love collecting little mementos of the time period. Today I'm packing a few fabric samples, a booklet of sheet music, and, of course, a vintage copy of Noverre's "Letters on Dancing" ā you simply must have a read, darling. Itās fabulous!
We are making an evening appearance, so my glamorous ballgown is a must! I love that it features layers of tulle and ruffles with shimmering beads, just like all the pretty ballerina costumes we see today! And letās not forget the fabulous lace gloves and that charming little pink velvet fan!
A pink tulle petticoat under my ball gown, oh, how darling it looks swirling in the candlelight!
My elegant satin shoes for all those graceful waltzes and minuets in a ballroom ā after all, dancing etiquette back then is a sight to behold, with elegant postures and formal curtesies, very much like those graceful steps and bows of a true ballerina!
Todayās Must-Read:
My absolute favourite: āLetters on Dancingā by Jean-Georges Noverre. Heās such a darling for writing these, giving us all a peek into what life was like back then! I just love his descriptions, full of the joy and beauty of ballet!
Now, my dears, Magic Meg is getting restless, so Iām off to that wondrous 18th Century! Let me know what ballet things you're looking forward to learning in the comments below and be sure to let me know what you are watching!
Until next time, darlings, keep it pink!
Lots of Love,
Emma xxx
