Hello darling ballet bunnies! Emma here, your favourite pink tutu wearing time traveller. It's October 10th, and you know what that means? It's time to whisk you away to another era! Today, we're travelling back to a time before tutus were quite the fashion phenomenon they are today, to 10th October 1777! Grab your ballet slippers and let's step into the past, shall we?
The crisp autumn air nipped at my cheeks as Magic Meg, my stunning pink sparkling Shire horse, trotted through the Derbyshire countryside, her golden hooves twinkling like starlight. Her mane and tail, as white as fresh fallen snow, danced in the breeze as we approached our portal to 1777. My leather rucksack, filled with precious ballet memorabilia, sat snugly on my back, ready to be filled with even more stories from this era.
Now, 1777, as you might imagine, is a long time ago, even by ballet standards! Think of powdered wigs, towering hairdos and gentlemen in breeches! While ballet was definitely being performed, it was very much in its infancy compared to the sophisticated art form we know and love today.
The world of ballet in 1777 wasn't one giant tutu-tastic party like we have nowadays. It was a time of evolution, with the French being the leading players in the ballet scene.
Speaking of the French, did you know that the prestigious Paris Opera Ballet, considered a powerhouse even today, had only been around for a little over 50 years at this point? The Academy of Opera in Paris, a leading school for the arts, was a bustling centre of dance, churning out talented dancers who were gracing the stages of Europe. Imagine the level of discipline and skill those young dancers must have had to achieve, and their costumes? sigh, I can only imagine!
And oh, the performances! There wasn't just one ballet company touring the world - several, from Italy, France, and even England were already creating a stir across the globe! Just imagine being a spectator back then, a young girl peering at the magnificent dancing in hushed admiration, perhaps wishing she could twirl across the stage! I bet some even dreamed of wearing tutus, even if those magnificent pieces of artistry were decades away!
So, where does a pink-tutu-clad time traveller go when visiting 1777, you ask? Well, on this day, 10th October 1777, the highlight was definitely The Opera House in Paris! Even in these early days of ballet, the French were always ahead of the game, putting on a stunning performance. The repertoire then would have featured mainly serious ballet plays and classical pieces - think the birth of Swan Lake in its early days!
We can imagine the opulent interiors of the Parisian opera house, the gilded cages, the exquisite details - even the chandeliers must have shimmered like starlight! The crowd, filled with nobles and high society, must have been a spectacle to behold, the women in elaborate gowns and feathers, their powdered faces and dazzling jewels complementing the extravagant atmosphere!
Did you know that in those days, they often used candles for stage lighting? How magical, wouldn't it be fantastic to see a performance illuminated only by flickering candles! The dim glow and the shadows would have cast a truly mesmerizing and captivating spell over the performance!
Even though ballet has evolved over time, the thrill of the performance, the awe-inspiring artistry, the stories they tell on the stage - these are things that have remained constant since 1777! This is why I love travelling through time, getting a peek into the past and seeing how dance evolved over centuries, and appreciating how the heart of ballet has remained the same, inspiring joy and wonder wherever it goes!
Today, my pink-tutu-loving heart felt a little pang of longing. How I yearned for the days of frilly tulle skirts and graceful, balletic performances. My own collection of tutus felt rather lacking. After all, what is a pink tutu without some frilly extravagance?
And so, my mission is clear - to bring the wonder of tutus to the world, to make everyone dance, twirl and live a life overflowing with pink tutus! It's a grand mission, I know, but who doesn't love a little magic in their lives?
Until next time, darling bunnies, happy dancing,
Emma 💕✨
