Hello, my darling dancers!
Welcome back to Pink-Tutu.com, where every month we waltz through time, exploring the enchanting world of ballet! Today's journey, dear friends, takes us to July 7th, 1782. Grab your pink tutus and saddle up on Magic Meg, because this time, we're heading straight to the heart of the French Revolution's fashion revolution!
(Remember, this is blog post number 1459 – keep scrolling for some exclusive ballet gossip, and check out my other posts!)
You know how much I adore ballet history – it's just so romantic, right? Every period brings a new way to move, a new design for costumes, and an entirely new world to discover!
Today's journey is a bit special, because in 1782, Paris is abuzz with something new! We're talking about a new trend – a Dance à la Polonaise.
Imagine, if you will, a swirling, graceful dance – just think of those beautiful "Polonaise" dresses from that era with the exaggerated puffed sleeves, the frills, the beautiful embellishments! Picture a ballroom with the music flowing like a sweet, delicious French patisserie! The music carries a kind of gentle mournful beauty with a melancholic grace – almost like the French themselves during this revolutionary period.
Let me tell you – a Dance à la Polonaise wasn't just about the dance – it was a feeling! It was about a way to express the beauty and power of France at the time – a bit like a swansong to an elegant era on the brink of change!
*But wait... Where does ballet fit in all this, you ask? *
Well, dear readers, it's in this era that the French are beginning to make ballet more dramatic. I'm not talking about ballet in the way we see it today. This is about the beginning of something really magical – a kind of story told in the steps, and through the dancing! They call this a "ballet d'action"– Imagine dancers telling a story like an ancient greek tragedy played out through dance!
Now, my dears, you know me – I'm a real collector! You should see my back-pack! I always like to gather ballet memories – whether they are stories, articles, costume pieces, or even shoes – I make sure to keep the history of this enchanting dance alive. And on my little July 7th 1782 adventure I found some wonderful ballet things in Paris:
My treasures today :
- A ballet poster: I got my hands on the most stunning poster advertising a ballet d'action – The plot is a tragedy based on a myth from the Iliad and the dancers, dressed in their beautiful costumes are about to dance out the story!
- * A beautiful pink tulle skirt - from a Parisienne costume shop.*: Can you imagine? Just perfect for my ballet class, and so in keeping with my love of the colour pink, of course!
- A piece of ballet jewellery: I couldn't believe it, but in a Paris antique shop, I found the most stunning miniature replica of a dancers' shoe, made from silver.
- An engraved ballerina's portrait: This was one of the things that made my time travelling heart sing! A beautifully engraved portrait of a ballerina, a true collector's treasure, perfect to frame back at home.
A book from a little bookstore near the Bastille: The title is "Choreographic Etudes," and it contains ballet choreography exercises that are very elegant and sophisticated – it must have been quite something to see them dance this way !
Remember my dear, ballet is more than just dance, it is about stories and emotions, about expressing feelings and beauty and finding our way in the world through graceful movement, like our ancestors did hundreds of years ago!
*If you loved this ballet time travel, make sure to leave a comment below – let's chat ballet and all things pink-tutu! *
*Stay tuned for August’s time-travel blog adventure. Until then – may all your pirouettes be perfect! * 🩰
Find me on Pink-Tutu.com next month! And remember to keep dancing! 💖
