Hello darlings! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Travels, your one-stop shop for all things ballet and a whole lotta pink! I’m your resident time-travelling ballerina, Emma, and this month, I’m whisking you all the way back to July 1796. Buckle up your dancing shoes, because we're about to waltz into history!
Post 1627: French Revolution Flashbacks and a Tutu's Journey Through Time
Today's journey is extra special – I'm in the heart of the French Revolution! Yes, that's right, we’re leaving the cobblestone streets of Derbyshire for a while and trading our quaint English countryside for the tumultuous streets of Paris. Magic Meg is pawing impatiently – can you believe we’re travelling in a horse-drawn carriage?! The world changes so quickly, but a pink tutu transcends time and still gets all the stares in any era.
I’ve always been fascinated by the French Revolution and its effect on the arts, particularly ballet. Imagine: while the world outside is in turmoil, the theatres still buzz with performance and the ballets continue to spin stories of love and loss. Talk about a contrast!
This trip is a bit different, though. I don’t have any shows planned, instead, I'm on a fact-finding mission – seeking out the stories behind the ballet in this volatile era. Imagine all the changes ballet must have been experiencing with a whole revolution shaking things up!
So, where should I start? The Paris Opéra! Oh, the romance! I'm imagining elaborate costumes, the roar of the crowd, and the delicate beauty of the ballets. Of course, I can’t go inside – just thinking about it, I imagine there’s nothing more beautiful than being inside those historic halls, filled with music and the whirl of tutus.
It's all rather heady stuff, even with a tutu on! Thankfully, Magic Meg knows my fashion choices like the back of her hoof, and her shimmering pink coat is the perfect complement to my current outfit – a frilly pink tutu paired with a velvet waistcoat and a dashing bow tied in my hair. Pink may not be the colour of the French Revolution, but it's a good way to stand out in the crowds!
The carriage rumbles to a stop at a cafe just down the street from the Opéra. It's charming, the walls painted a creamy yellow with a lovely balcony overlooking the busy street. I'm drawn in by the aroma of pastries - fresh from the oven! And guess what? They have the most beautiful raspberry tarts I’ve ever seen, all sprinkled with powdered sugar and served on dainty pink china plates. Just like they do in a 18th-century Parisian café.
But the café isn’t just for delectable treats; it's also a hotbed of gossip and revolutionary intrigue. As I sip my cafe au lait, I hear stories whispered from table to table – news of the government's instability, murmurs about the king, and a curious fascination with the ballet. It seems, even amidst the chaos, the love of dance prevails!
One thing's for certain, though, there's an electricity in the air – a feeling of anticipation, excitement, and perhaps, even a touch of trepidation. Everyone is looking to the future, wondering how this turbulent era will shape France and its arts.
I'll admit, I’m feeling it too! I have to tell you, though, that even with all the chaos surrounding me, it feels so wonderful to step back in time, feel the pulse of history and see how art thrives amidst the struggles of life. It's all very inspiring, and just makes me love my pink tutu and our beautiful dance even more!
Now, back to the Parisian ballet! Did you know the Opéra was undergoing massive renovations at this time? Imagine, the famous 'La Sylphide' by Filippo Taglioni, was about to become one of the biggest ballet hits in history, and the French Revolution played a huge part in this. The Parisian public flocked to the ballet to escape the realities of the political upheaval and revel in the romance and the dreamlike nature of these ballerinas and the stories they danced! The ballets brought beauty to a city shrouded in gloom! It truly showcases how the art world can thrive amidst adversity.
However, this wasn’t the only theatre on the scene in Paris. I've found out that the Théâtre du Vaudeville was making waves! It had this beautiful auditorium decorated in shades of light blue and a lovely backdrop with charming paintings depicting rural French life. A refreshing change from all that red and white! And their choreography, while different to the Grand Opera, was bursting with humour and passion! It sounds a little bit like modern street dance, if you think about it. Who knows, maybe some of the elements inspired some modern dancers today.
Oh, but the stories are so fascinating. One tale about a young, Parisian woman in a simple white dress caught my eye, I just have to tell you! This woman dared to wear a white tutu - just like my white tulle one from London - and took to the street, a ballet performance of sorts, with such passion and verve! The people adored her. They shouted and cheered, some threw roses! It was the most uplifting and brave performance in Parisian streets! This is one story that truly highlights the impact of the arts, reminding me that even amidst a tumultuous time, beauty can still blossom, and dance can still find its way to the hearts of people.
This journey is just about done, I need to go and explore some Parisian markets to find some little trinkets, I might find something unique for the museum at my ballet school. And I just can’t resist the fabulous vintage shops I hear are dotted around Paris. We can find some real Parisian charm for the vintage costume closet! You’ll just love them when I share the photos on the website.
So, darlings, that’s all for now. Join me again next month for another grand ballet adventure – but for now, let's raise a glass to the beauty and resilience of the arts, even in the midst of a revolution! Remember, life’s a performance, so embrace it in your own unique and beautiful way!
Don’t forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com for more time travel tales, fashion tips, and maybe a sprinkle of pink!
Au revoir for now!
Emma xxx
P.S. Did I forget to mention that I just got myself a set of dancing slippers made from the most beautiful lavender silk and they sparkle with pink embroidery, perfectly complimenting the pink ribbons. They look divine! Just think, even ballerinas from 1796 could be dancing in lavender silk, how wonderful!
