Hello darlings, and welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels! This month's journey takes us all the way back to 4th April 1784, and you won't believe what a fabulous adventure awaits us in the world of ballet! Grab a cup of tea, a pink cupcake, and get ready to be transported!
This is Post Number 1480 on www.pink-tutu.com. I'm Emma, your very own ballet time traveller, and this month's journey was absolutely delightful, wouldn't you say, Meg? ( *She gently pats her beloved pink shire horse, Magic Meg, who stands patiently with her sparkling golden hooves resting on a patch of moss.)
Oh, Meg, you simply know how to get us to these wondrous time periods! Today we journeyed back to the world of 18th century ballet. I felt just like a little fairy as we galloped through the countryside in my blush-pink silk gown and, of course, my absolutely divine pink tutu, a magnificent, swirling cloud of tulle that just screams ballerina.
I was a little surprised that most ladies didn't quite embrace the tutus I saw today – they were a far cry from the beautiful, ethereal masterpieces I wear! There was a bit more fuss about their chignons and farthingales, those rather heavy, and to be honest, uncomfortable, hoops underneath their gowns.
However, darling, they did make some fantastic gowns! We popped into a delightful fabric shop in London - so much beautiful silk, lace and ribbons. Meg had her own special little corner to browse – and she's quite the fan of the fanciest horse brasses – wouldn't you agree Meg?
Oh, the ballet I saw tonight was simply breathtaking! Imagine my delight – they were performing the *first ever London staging of * L'Amant Anonyme, a glorious, tragic love story set to a truly beautiful score. I found the entire show utterly captivating. I am completely and utterly enchanted with 18th century ballet!
1784: The Year of Ballet FirstsThis year was a huge one for ballet! In fact, 4th April marks a rather special milestone, dear readers – the very day that the famed Italian ballerina Maria Perego arrived in London. Perego, a real legend in the world of dance, came all the way from Italy to wow audiences in the newly opened King's Theatre in the Haymarket. Her dazzling footwork and her absolutely captivating acting in roles like Venus made her an instant star.
London ballet audiences were going crazy for Maria. Even if I had to wear a farthingale to blend in, I’m pretty sure everyone in London was talking about Perego's debut. You can just picture it, darling – all the gentlemen sighing in admiration of her (such a charming sight!), the ladies gossiping over their afternoon tea about her artistry, her exquisite costuming, her talent!
Just imagine all the ladies clamouring for tickets for her next show, and of course, everyone talking about *L'Amant Anonyme* - what a fabulous night at the theater! I imagine even the staidest of Londoners felt their hearts fluttering as they watched these ballet dancers move with such grace, passion, and, well, pink-tutu-tastic exuberance!
Now, if I could just convince everyone to ditch those hoop skirts and try a little tulle…. a girl can dream, can’t she?
Ballet Beyond London: From Russia to ItalyDarling, the world of ballet in 1784 wasn't just in London – far from it! Paris was already well-known for its spectacular ballet productions, and the dancers at the Académie Royale de Danse were known for their incredible strength and virtuosity – especially for the leaps and jumps, I do love those!
The Italian dancers in Venice were famed for their exquisite costumes and choreography. Imagine swirling satin, feathers, and glittering gems! This century saw the rise of several fabulous ballet schools across Europe, and those French and Italian ballets were beginning to become truly spectacular! Think lavish sets, incredibly detailed costumes, and dazzling ballets full of dramatic and heroic stories.
Even though I can’t take Magic Meg across the channel right now, it’s wonderful to know that dancers in Italy and France were also dancing with such passion and beauty back then. I can only imagine what wonderful experiences the Italian and French ballerinas had.
Fashion Spotlight: A Century of EleganceOh, the costumes in 1784! Absolutely exquisite. They certainly had a completely different feel to the beautiful, romantic designs we wear today. A 1780’s ballet outfit would have been much simpler, with delicate fabrics, like muslin or satin, gathered to show off their incredible dancing abilities. I do find it rather fascinating, dear reader, that most of the designs for female dancers had skirts which were gathered to allow freedom of movement! Can you believe, back then they even allowed the women to dance without that stiff, corseted bodice and layers of petticoats!
As a keen observer of ballet fashion, I was absolutely mesmerised by the ladies' hats, darling! Oh, they are positively enchanting with plumes of feathers and elegant lace, adorned with little ribbons that tie beneath their chins – simply delightful. It’s no wonder so many ladies were passionate about fashion in those days! It certainly added an air of elegance and grandeur to the ballets and operas!
And wouldn’t you agree that there’s no outfit quite as elegant as a beautiful pink tutu? *It's time to embrace those flowing skirts, ladies – for ballet, it is truly the most captivating, graceful, and absolutely *pink-tutu-tastic of all dances! **
Memories from my Leather RucksackOf course, I wouldn't leave you hanging, dear readers! Here's a glimpse into what I've added to my precious leather rucksack this month, filled with trinkets from the past.
My Little Treasures
- A beautifully faded silk fan, the remnants of some intricate gold and white embroidery
- A stunning, silver thimble that I’m sure a seamstress used to create the perfect ballet slipper for one of the dancing divas
- An antique feather that, if it could talk, would tell us stories about dancing on those dazzling French and Italian stages
Oh, the ballet stories this leather rucksack could tell – they'd probably keep us chatting over our afternoon tea for weeks!
Now, darlings, off I pop to the theatre. We have a date with some fantastic dancing, a whole heap of history, and… who knows, maybe even another fabulous, pink tutu outfit!
Do join me next month as I take Meg on another grand time-travel journey. And until then, may all your ballet steps be light and graceful, and may you always dance with a pink tutu in your heart!
