Hello my darling ballet lovers! It's Emma here, your friendly neighbourhood pink-tutu-clad time traveller, bringing you another captivating journey through the enchanting history of ballet. Buckle up, darlings, because today, we're going all the way back to the 4th of April 1770, a date that's steeped in elegant history and filled with the sweet, swirling spirit of dance.
Now, if you've been following my pink-tutu-time-travel-adventures, you know my trusty steed, the gorgeous, pink-sparkling shire horse, Magic Meg, takes us to any point in time. We just pop on our elegant hats and hop aboard, and Magic Meg gallops us off to the most magnificent and historically dance-tastic times.
Today, the 4th of April, 1770, our first stop was a quaint little town square in Versailles, France. Versailles, the stunning palace home to the dazzling French court, has a deep connection to ballet. You wouldn’t believe the number of royal ballet performances they had, not to mention the exquisite costuming and elaborate sets. They were always putting on some splendid extravaganza! The court was mad for ballet, much like myself!
But back to my journey – there we were, in that cobblestoned town square in front of the royal palace. The sun was shining, and the air hummed with the cheerful sounds of local chatter and the clink of glasses.
As I walked through the busy town square, my eyes fell upon a beautiful, intricately carved notice board. A big notice read "Royal Theatre Performance - New Ballet Choreography”. Ooh! It seemed the French were already making quite the stir in the world of ballet! Imagine! Ballet in its early form! So, naturally, as a passionate ballerina with a insatiable curiosity for history and a love for all things pink, I had to check it out.
Wearing my vibrant, ruffled pink tutu that I brought back from a time-travelling ballet boutique adventure in the 1950s, and with Magic Meg waiting patiently, I approached the bustling theatre and got my hands on a programme. A very handsome and elegantly dressed gentleman holding a rather imposing baton saw me approaching, and kindly asked, “Mademoiselle, you are, of course, interested in this evening's production?" He flashed a lovely, bright smile and I blushed a lovely shade of pink. He gestured toward a beautiful painting of a woman dancing.
I eagerly exclaimed, “Oh, most certainly, sir! A ballet performance is a most beautiful affair. The dancing, the costuming, the spectacle! You see, I am a ballerina myself!" He seemed enchanted by my passion for ballet. I couldn't help but chat for a while about the evening's performance.
We learnt that the night's ballet production was based on the mythical story of Perseus and Andromeda, a tale that involves a fierce sea monster, a beautiful damsel in distress, and the valiant hero who saves the day! Can you imagine the beautiful ballet movements and incredible storytelling?!
He said " The choreographed movement is particularly magnificent for its time! The music is spectacular too!” Then, with a charming smile and a respectful nod, he pointed towards a beautifully carved poster featuring the dancing couple, saying, “Have a wonderful time at the performance! You'll be enchanted, my dear Mademoiselle."
And how I truly was! The evening unfolded in a mesmerising kaleidoscope of music and dance. Each dancer, clothed in elaborate silks and satins of delicate pinks and greens, spun and leaped through the air. They embodied both the beauty and terror of the mythical tale, with their nimble steps conveying every emotion. Even the audience was wonderfully dressed – velvet jackets, frilled shirts, elaborate lace gowns – an absolute delight!
The choreography was astounding for its time – simple and elegant yet beautifully choreographed. This period of ballet history is filled with such elegance. From the graceful arm movements to the fluid, leaping choreography, I was completely transported to the magical world of storytelling through ballet.
Now, you might be thinking, “Emma, surely you couldn’t have found any pink tutus back then?” I’ll tell you this - although ballet fashion has evolved drastically since 1770, even back then there were the most elegant forms of dress. Delicate, light materials adorned in pastels - a perfect blend of elegance and graceful movements. There was a touch of pink in some of the attire.
After the performance, I eagerly browsed the market, seeking inspiration for my own pink tutu designs and ideas. You know how I love to put a touch of the vintage in my designs, to make them special! There, amongst all the market stalls, I spotted the most enchanting embroidered silken fabric in shades of soft peach and rose. Imagine my delight! This will make a perfect pink tutu – just wait until I have it finished!
Of course, it wouldn't be a proper Pink Tutu Time Travel adventure without bringing something special back from the past. And guess what? Today’s time-travel treasure is a beautifully embroidered ballet slipper from 1770. It’s the perfect addition to my collection – now my pink tutu will have a little bit of 1770 magic in its design!
Until next time, dear friends, keep swirling and twirling in your pink tutus and spreading the love of ballet everywhere you go!
Yours in Pink and Glitter,
Emma
www.pink-tutu.com
Pink Tutu P.S.My time-travelling travels have inspired me to learn more about ballet history, so I will leave you with a little glimpse into what’s going on in the world of ballet on 4th of April 1770.
This is a year of fascinating changes! This era is important to ballet history. There were significant transformations going on, as dancing and theatre performance became more prominent and important.
During 1770, many significant ballet performers were taking the stage:
- The legendary dancer and choreographer Jean-Georges Noverre
- The equally talented dancer Louis D'Egville,
- And the fabulous dancer Gaetano Vestris, who was said to have the most fabulous footwork of his time!
In addition to performances, dance schools were springing up throughout the world. There were incredible opportunities for both dancers and choreographers! Think about it – imagine the exciting, thrilling adventures they were having. Just like myself, but maybe in more dramatic historical dress!
In addition to dance performances, 1770 saw the publishing of a beautiful book called "Lettres sur la Danse" (Letters on Dancing), written by Noverre, one of the most celebrated ballet dancers of the time. You see, dancers like Noverre helped shaped the balletic world as we know it today. In "Lettres sur la Danse," Noverre outlined the potential of dance to create truly powerful, dramatic expressions of emotions and stories through movement, music and drama. Imagine! The power of dance. It was the start of an entire ballet movement and paved the way for more meaningful and story-driven ballets.
And finally, one more tidbit of ballet history – in 1770, a theatre was opening in Milan - Teatro alla Scala – this became a very important home for opera and ballet performances in the centuries that followed. The beginning of an entire culture of ballet and theatre! Imagine all the beautiful tutus worn on that stage, darling. Perhaps, my pink tutus have a spot there in history!
And now, onwards, into the next time-travelling adventure! Stay tuned for more Pink Tutu Time Travels on the first of each month here on www.pink-tutu.com
Until then, my lovelies, happy dancing!
