Hello, darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where history and ballet twirl hand in hand. It’s your favourite pink tutu-clad time traveller, Emma, here, back with another exciting journey! This month, we’re soaring back to July 7th, 1770, to catch a glimpse of ballet in the lavish court of King Louis XV. Buckle up, darlings, because this trip’s a real royal affair!
Now, as you know, a time-travelling ballerina like myself needs a mode of transport that's as graceful and glamorous as I am! That's why my trusty steed, Magic Meg, is the pinkest, most dazzling Shire horse you’ll ever see! With her shimmering, iridescent pink coat, golden hooves, and white mane flowing like spun silk, Meg is a real head-turner - not to mention the envy of all the time-travelling unicorns and pegasus.
My trusty leather rucksack is packed with my essential ballet accoutrements - notebooks for jotting down notes about historical dances and performances, my vintage ballet shoes for any spontaneous impromptu pirouettes, and a few extra pink tutus, because who can resist a dash of pink even in the 18th century?
My favourite thing about time travel is meeting other balletomanes, those fellow dance lovers, throughout the centuries! So imagine my delight as we arrived in 18th century Paris, surrounded by the opulent opulence of Louis XV’s court, the very heart of French ballet!
It’s no secret that the French were obsessed with ballet. The Académie Royale de Musique was booming, and ballet had become an integral part of social life, as fashionable as the elaborate costumes of the day. It’s hard not to admire their passion, and even harder not to picture all those glittering ballrooms with graceful ladies and gentlemen swirling through them in elaborate dance movements. And even though I’m not fond of large crowds and stuffy receptions, I admit that a Ballet de Cour at the court of Versailles, where every noble man and woman knew the steps and the dances, sounds just as captivating as any performance in the 21st century!
Our main target today was to experience “La Fête des Fêtes”. This grand production was designed by the renowned Jean-Georges Noverre, a true giant in ballet history who aimed to elevate ballet to an art form, pushing its boundaries. It premiered on July 7th, 1770, right at the cusp of what was called "ballet d'action". We wanted to understand what a true Ballet d'action, where dancers actually played a role in the unfolding story, looked like back then.
You can imagine my delight at seeing those powdered wigs and delicate panniers swirling on stage, while the performers gave a visual and dramatic story in beautiful gestures, instead of the usual static, repetitive movements. I found myself transported to another world, feeling the energy and emotion flowing between the dancers and the audience, completely absorbed in the beauty of it all. I can tell you - seeing history unfold before your eyes is more powerful than any historical textbook or museum display!
Later that day, after grabbing a pastry (delicious!) from a local bakery, I got a chance to explore the city, soaking in the sights, sounds, and energy of 18th-century Paris. The fashionable clothes were dazzling! While it’s not something I would wear today (let's be honest, it wouldn’t work with a pink tutu!) the creativity and attention to detail were absolutely awe-inspiring. The people were full of life, and the city hummed with activity.
My day concluded in the famous Parisian Grand Opera House. While I didn’t quite understand everything, I could certainly appreciate the beautiful music, costumes, and the undeniable energy of the performance. You could tell the audiences in 1770 just adored ballet as much as we do in 2023! There were laughs, applause, and whispers throughout the night. You could tell it was a true shared experience.
Before saying goodbye to the past, I stopped to purchase a beautiful 18th century fan. As soon as I saw it, I knew I just had to have it, its intricate design with its gilded edge, with intricate dancing figures at the edge of the painted silk was just too lovely! I'm hoping to display it in my home as a memento of my trip.
Just like the dance itself, the memory of this time-travelling adventure was a beautiful, fluid experience. It made me think about the enduring legacy of ballet, and the joy and elegance it continues to bring to people across the centuries. As I travel back to our time with a pocket full of ballet memories and my pink tutu flowing in the wind, I can't help but feel a twinge of excitement for the next adventure that awaits me. And perhaps, if you’re lucky, you'll get to join me on my next journey. Until then, keep those tutus twirling! See you next month!
XOXO, Emma
