Hello, darling dance enthusiasts! It's Emma, your time-travelling ballerina blogger, ready to take you on another whirlwind adventure. This month, we're setting our pink tutus swirling back to the 3rd of March, 1786!
Now, let's just get this out of the way - pink tutus weren't quite a thing in 1786! Imagine, my darling dears, the constraints of a rigid corseted dress. No frothy, delicate layers of tulle for this time period! But, we’re here to explore the world of ballet then, and my love of all things pink gives us an excuse to colourfully interpret it. Let’s make the world of ballet 1786 all about that feminine sparkle, wouldn’t you agree?
Magic Meg, my sparkly pink Shire, whisked me through time as we headed towards Paris, where something absolutely wonderful was happening: the first performance of Jean-Georges Noverre’s ballet "Le Retour d'Hector," a gloriously tragic Greek myth about a Trojan warrior returning home from war, only to discover his beloved wife Andromache's heartbroken demise.
Imagine, dears! I can practically picture the graceful, swirling steps as the story unfolded. While the steps may have been less about technical perfection and more about pantomime-based movement, the storytelling was sure to have been captivating. My leather rucksack, adorned with a pretty pink rose for the occasion, was ready to collect the echoes of those stories.
But wait, before we step onto the Paris stage, let’s indulge in a spot of 18th-century fashion. Remember, back then, ballet dancers wore silk and velvet, long pointed shoes with thick, high heels – a far cry from the lightweight pointe shoes of today! But, don’t you think we can inject a bit of pink tulle and shimmer into that historical ensemble? We can keep the grace and elegance of the era while still celebrating my personal penchant for pink. Think rosy blush silk stockings with shimmering tulle trim and an exquisitely embroidered waistcoat with hints of silver, don’t you think?
Now, back to Paris. It's 1786, and "Le Retour d'Hector" is truly changing the ballet world! This performance wasn't just about pretty costumes; Noverre was a master choreographer, breaking away from the rigid, formal traditions of courtly ballets and creating a ballet that actually told a story!
It's almost a foreshadowing of what we know ballet to be today, with its focus on dramatic storylines. So, don't think of 1786 ballet as just a parade of powdered wigs and high heels, darlings! The world of dance was already blossoming with exciting possibilities, paving the way for future styles like the romantic era and eventually the contemporary dance we see today.
Speaking of possibilities, what do you say we travel back to the English countryside after our Parisian sojourn? Derbyshire, my home, boasts its own rich ballet history! My dear friend Mrs. Hemmings, a noted local performer, and her theatre troupe were surely giving their audiences a good time with their colourful performance. Perhaps a classic "Masque" with singing, dancing, and lively music - the quintessential performance for any social occasion. Can you picture it? Mrs. Hemmings in a delicate blush gown, dancing amongst costumed gentlemen, the air buzzing with delightful conversation and laughter, the lights reflecting off the golden trimmings on her dress? And yes, maybe just maybe, we’d add a few wisps of pink tulle around the edge to create a delightful theatrical flourish.
And what about the ballet scene back home, you ask? While not a full-fledged ballet performance, we did have a performance of an operatic farce that night at the Covent Garden. It included elaborate dances and comedic antics. Though perhaps it wouldn’t meet today’s stringent standards of ballet, one can’t help but be charmed by the spirit and dedication these artists poured into their craft!
I know, my lovelies, I must get going! But remember, ballet is an exciting, ever-evolving form of art. Whether it's 1786 or 2023, there's a reason why it continues to mesmerize audiences with its graceful beauty and storytelling power!
Stay tuned for more adventures in pink, darlings. Until next month, dance your heart out!
See you on www.pink-tutu.com.
Emma.
