Hello darlings! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet where dreams and tutus twirl in harmony! This month, I've hopped back in time on the back of my trusty steed, Magic Meg, to a rather chilly 3rd of March, 1808. Let's dive into the exciting world of ballet, shall we?
Now, I'm quite a fan of my little pink tutu (a real dream to twirl in, trust me) but, back in 1808, they hadn't quite invented my favourite fashion statement yet! Tutues, those beautiful layers of tulle that we now take for granted, wouldn't appear for another half a century. Can you imagine?! The audacity of wearing only a skirt back then would have caused quite the scandal. I, for one, would not have been allowed to dance without a respectable floor-length gown.
Oh, the irony of it all!
But that's where my time-travel adventures get truly thrilling. I can experience history in a way that few ever will, right down to the fashion and, in this case, the dance. Ballet was starting to take centre stage (no pun intended) in Europe, and what a stage it was! From Paris, where it all started, to Vienna and Milan, audiences were entranced by the beauty and athleticism of this emerging art form.
Speaking of audiences, in Vienna, I caught a performance of "Le Carnaval de Venise," a grand, romantic ballet set in the famed Venetian Carnival. I just adore those stories, with masks and hidden identities, and a touch of intrigue, you see!
But even with its growing popularity, 1808 ballet was quite different from what we know today. The steps were more refined, less expressive. They relied on the dancers' elegance and grace rather than dynamic jumps and complex turns.
In Vienna, I discovered an innovative technique called “port de bras” – literally “carriage of the arms,” in French. Think long, flowing movements and delicate gestures, so very elegant. I could see myself embracing this technique if only I had been a dancer in that era.
One thing I did learn though – ballet has always been about stories. The beauty of a dance comes from how it expresses a narrative, a moment in time. That hasn't changed one bit since the early days.
Oh, and another discovery – in Paris, there was a rather curious piece called “The Seven Deadly Sins” (not my kind of fun, I’m a happy go lucky kind of girl, I assure you!) that was the talk of the town!
To my delight, ballet dancers then had an even stronger bond with fashion than we do today! In my research I stumbled upon some beautiful pieces from the period. I imagine there would be elaborate hairstyles with curls and adornments, all very much a part of the ballet spectacle.
Sadly, the dancers' wardrobe included thick and restrictive shoes – no dainty pointe shoes yet! So, my darling tutus are just out of the question for 1808, but at least the beauty of ballet is not affected by the absence of this fashionable accessory. Although, imagine, it's just not right, my dear friends, the beauty of that romantic and enchanting tutu, gracefully flying as the dancers make their beautiful gestures. Ah well, that’s the thing about time travel; you get a unique, and rather amazing perspective of the art.
Back then, a dancer's fame didn't come from TV interviews or Instagram posts. Instead, their talent and performance, the beauty of their movements and their commitment to telling the story, was the defining factor. I truly admire the artistry and resilience of those who laid the foundation for the grand and glamorous ballet world we know and love today.
As I head back to Derbyshire, England, where Magic Meg’s stables are, with my rucksack full of ballet-inspired discoveries, I can’t help but feel grateful for all those pioneers who helped to make ballet the enchanting art form it is today.
From 1808 and my magical pink tutu-less adventures to your living room and all those amazing modern dance experiences, thank you for joining me, my loves. Remember to wear pink!
Stay tuned for next month’s exciting adventure, darling. Until then, keep twirling, and don't forget to visit www.pink-tutu.com!
XOXO, Emma
