#BalletHistory during 1797 10 October

Post number 1642

Hello, darling ballet lovers! Emma here, your very own time-travelling ballerina, and today, we're going all the way back to the 1790s! Now, imagine this: a world without tights, where dancers wore fluffy trousers and satin shoes. A world where the graceful arabesques and soaring leaps of today were just beginning to emerge, a time where ballet was truly starting to find its own feet! It’s the 10th of October, 1797, and I’ve landed in Paris, France, ready to take on the city of love and all its ballet magic!

I've always loved this period - it’s a world full of elegant ladies in powdered wigs and dashing gentlemen in frock coats. And of course, the burgeoning world of ballet! You’d never guess what I found in my leather rucksack this time…

Tucked away in a vintage silk pouch, I discovered the most exquisite journal, leather bound and edged with a delicate golden filigree. It belonged to none other than Marie Taglioni’s grandmother, Marie Allard! Oh my! You see, Marie Allard, though perhaps not as celebrated as her granddaughter, was a renowned ballerina in her own right. Her legacy echoes throughout ballet history, not just for her own skill, but because she passed on the gift of dancing to her own talented children!

In the diary, I discovered secrets whispered through the decades - rehearsals, backstage drama, even glimpses into the fascinating world of ballet fashion back in the day! And do you know what I learned?

Tutus are actually older than I thought! While not the frilly frocks we know and love, the “tutu” – or a forerunner of it - already existed as a sort of long skirt or over-skirt, and these dancers were actually very much in the fashion! I was particularly struck by how Marie described the exquisite hand-sewn designs. Talk about haute couture!

Speaking of fashion, the Académie de Musique (now the Paris Opera) was overflowing with opulence! Gentlemen in their finery, ladies adorned with silk and jewels - it was almost too much beauty to handle. But here’s the thing, ballet was far more formal and theatrical than we might expect today! Imagine long, flowing movements, gestures with meaning, and even some dramatic facial expressions. It felt like watching a grand story unfold in the theatre.

One of the highlights of the evening was watching Jean-Georges Noverre's "La Fête de Céres", considered one of the great milestones of ballet history! Now, Noverre’s ballet is famous for its bold approach to story and characters, pushing boundaries just like we strive to do in the world of ballet today!

The highlight of the show, for me, was the performance of Madeleine Guimard! What a dancer! Such grace and precision, it was like watching the wind in motion. She seemed to float across the stage with the greatest of ease, captivating the audience with her storytelling movements. I have to admit, it gave me quite a bit of inspiration. I think I'll be incorporating a touch of that 1700s grace in my next class!

As I journeyed around Paris, I couldn't help but feel the strong passion for ballet everywhere I looked. There were posters announcing new performances, charming ballet boutiques bursting with shoes, and even the ladies' headbands showcased dancers and poses! But here's the fun part, folks. Did you know, Paris had some of the very first ballet schools?! These institutions weren't just about perfecting dance steps. They were seen as hubs of artistic expression and culture, which helped elevate ballet to an art form with real cultural power! The legacy of these early academies continues to this day, right down to those charming studios you can find tucked away in the back alleys of Paris!

This month's adventure has filled my leather rucksack with so much inspiration. I have plans to create a line of "tutus" inspired by the ones Marie Allard would have worn! They'll be filled with elegant swags and swirls, perfect for showcasing those graceful movements. But remember, ballet is not about wearing a fancy outfit. It’s about telling stories through the body, making art, and celebrating the joy of movement. So, what will your ballet journey look like today?

Keep on dancing!

Keep an eye out for next month’s blog! We’ll be setting off to a different era, on another incredible ballet journey!

Don't forget to check out www.pink-tutu.com for more fun adventures and updates on all my time-travelling shenanigans!

Emma, your Time-Travelling Ballerina!

P.S: Remember, I fund my adventures through ballet performances! Do you want to see me dance? Book your ticket today for an upcoming show near you!