Hello my lovely Tutu Twirlers! It's Emma here, your favourite pink-tutu-clad time traveller, ready to whisk you away on another fabulous ballet adventure! This month, I'm taking you back to a very special date – June 1661, a date that marks the beginning of a revolutionary period in the history of ballet! But first, let's catch up on what's happening in the world of ballet this June.
The Ballet Buzz:
It's the beginning of summer, and the ballet scene is positively bursting with colour! In London, the Royal Ballet is staging a glorious production of Giselle at the Royal Opera House, and let me tell you, it's not to be missed! The breathtaking costumes, the graceful movements, the hauntingly beautiful story – it's truly a spectacle that will stay with you long after the curtain falls.
Speaking of colour, over in Paris, the Opéra National de Paris is putting on a captivating performance of The Sleeping Beauty. Can you imagine? Sleeping Beauty, princesses, and pink tutus! It just doesn't get any better. Oh, and don't forget to check out the magnificent costumes and the magical choreography.
Back here in Derbyshire, the local ballet school is holding its annual Midsummer Night's Dream performance, and they're even having a little tea party afterwards! Can you believe it? They even asked me to be a special guest, and of course, I was delighted! It’s a perfect way to celebrate summer and showcase young talent, all while wearing a dazzling pink tutu!
Time Travel Adventures: A Royal Audience
But enough about the present! This month, my time machine – that would be Magic Meg, my dazzling pink Shire horse with golden hooves – whisked me all the way back to June 1661, specifically to Paris, for an encounter that changed the course of ballet forever!
Picture this: the cobbled streets, the scent of freshly baked bread, the sound of street vendors calling out their wares, and, in the distance, the grand grandeur of the Palace of Versailles. But something was amiss – the palace wasn't quite the dazzling spectacle we see today, as construction had only just begun under the direction of King Louis XIV. Still, there was something in the air, a palpable sense of grandeur and a desire for something new, something spectacular.
My trusty rucksack, overflowing with historical ballet tomes and the cutest little pink ballerina shoes I've collected on my journeys, was by my side. You can never be too prepared when you’re time-travelling, darlings!
I met Louis XIV – the Sun King himself! Dressed in opulent attire and surrounded by a court of swirling silks and dazzling jewels, he was the epitome of regal elegance. He was also quite the fashion enthusiast, I learned. And it was in his court, this magnificent playground of power and artistry, that I saw the beginnings of ballet as we know it.
In the midst of this dazzling tableau of courtly extravagance, there was a group of dancers. They moved with a fluid grace and precision that captivated me. This was a ballet unlike any I had seen before, more courtly and stately than anything I’d experienced, even at the grandest Royal Ballet performance.
The King’s dancers moved with a grace and strength that reflected the king's own personality, and his dancers truly did move as if he himself were the ‘Sun’ that ruled them. It was a glimpse into a ballet world, and an era of refinement and regal elegance unlike anything you can see today.
Louis XIV, as the Sun King, saw ballet as more than just a form of entertainment, he saw it as an embodiment of power and grace. He introduced rules and etiquette to the dancers’ attire and performance, ensuring order and dignity for all.
As I watched, I found myself inspired by the dancer's commitment to beauty, power, and expression.
The pink tutu collection :
The beauty of the French ballet of 1661 was simply enchanting, even though I found no actual ‘pink tutus’ to collect from that time period! Imagine the fun, I mean! I could collect some fantastic lace panniers, elaborate corsets, and shimmering silk dresses from those years and design a beautiful, sparkling pink-tutu-themed performance celebrating ballet’s regal beginnings.
Back in Derbyshire, I can't help but wonder - where will Magic Meg take me next? Where will my pink tutu adventure lead me? Will it be to ancient Rome, Renaissance Italy or the Victorian age? And which new magical items will I add to my ballet treasure collection? It's all a wonderful secret, until my next blog post!
Don't forget, to keep up-to-date with all the latest adventures on www.pink-tutu.com I look forward to you all joining me for our next ballet journey!
Until then, twirl happily,
Emma xx
