Hey, beautiful ballet lovers! It's Emma here, your trusty pink tutu-wearing time-traveller, bringing you the latest from the magical world of ballet, past and present. Today we're soaring back in time to a momentous date â 12th December 1664. Now, donât think this date isnât important just because it's not bursting with fancy costumes and ballets as we know them today.
Remember, every tiny step, every graceful twirl, every whisper of history, leads us to the exquisite art form we adore today. So grab your pink tulle and a steaming cup of something delicious, because today, we're on an adventure to discover just how this date influenced the ballet we know and love!
My faithful steed, Magic Meg (my magnificent, shimmering pink shire with golden hooves and a mane and tail like spun white silk), is chomping at the bit. She knows we're off on a trip through the cobbled streets of 17th-century Paris, and believe me, this adventure has some serious wow factor.
As always, I've packed my leather rucksack with plenty of ballet-themed goodies - ready to gather some enchanting stories, fascinating history, and even some delicate antique fabrics, if I can!
My trusty tutu is todayâs colour: a shade of pale rose, sprinkled with a whisper of glitter. After all, it's all about bringing a dash of magic, isnât it? And the history weâre going to find is anything but dull!
Time travel Tip: To truly grasp what made the 17th century special, imagine ballet as we know it was just... emerging. There were some rather grand court balls, yes, but nothing like the elaborate storytelling or breathtaking technique of ballet today.
But hold on... the 17th century saw a ballet revolution! Thatâs right, and the person leading the charge was an absolute legend: King Louis XIV of France. He wasnât just any king; he was the Sun King! And trust me, he had some seriously flamboyant moves.
Imagine him stepping onto a grand stage, adorned in shimmering fabrics, commanding attention with a wave of his bejewelled hand. Well, that's basically what happened in 1664 when he took the spotlight, establishing his court and creating a special, high-class place for ballet in his grand world!
He established a place called L'Académie Royale de Danse (and we still remember him for it today, thank goodness!) And then he did something incredibly brilliant.
He brought in the great master of choreography Pierre Beauchamp to help him turn ballet into an even grander, even more structured art form. Beauchamp set about inventing some important moves which were to revolutionise ballet and we see their influence in almost every balletic move you see today: like five ballet positions and a whole lot of technical refinements. We can thank them both for the leaps, twirls, and breathtaking dance that grace our stages today.
Let's dive into ballet history: 12th December, 1664. Imagine a day filled with swirling music, courtly manners, and even the whisper of powdered wigs and feathers (a definite favourite!) Iâm imagining myself waltzing in a soft satin court gown, adorned with pearl and silver embroidery, gracefully gliding across polished wooden floors.
The whole atmosphere, the grace, and the grandeur are swirling all around me - but how did these moves get woven into the rich tapestry of ballet? Well, 12th December, 1664, was a date of significance.
The king and his Academy began making a list, a sort of âballet blueprint,â with five fundamental dance steps as a starting point for everyone to learn and follow, creating consistency for future ballet techniques. Itâs the core of what we see on stages across the world today â it all goes back to those early Parisian workshops and to King Louis XIV and Beauchamp.
Our mission: A mission of pure, twirling joy!
So my next task? A visit to the Paris Opera, of course, and maybe I'll slip into the Academy if I can! I'll be keeping a keen eye out for glimpses of the steps these ground-breaking masters invented. It's always amazing to trace the thread of history, seeing the steps from so many years ago as the building blocks of what we love today.
Back to my own little pink-tutu worldâŠ: While history is certainly fascinating, the beauty of dance lives on in all of us.
What's exciting you in the world of ballet right now? What breathtaking shows are you eagerly waiting for? Maybe itâs a ballet class youâre signing up for, or a beautiful pair of ballet shoes waiting to be danced in. Let me know!
As for me, my favourite moment today? Dancing at a local ballet show last week. I wore my vibrant magenta tutu and my soft blush pink ballet shoes. The energy in the theatre was magic - like that very same Parisian energy! You know me, I love a show, and thereâs nothing like the feeling of live performance!
And who knows, I might even see that pink tutu on you, you stylish dancers, out there in the world. After all, my dream is to spread the pink-tutu love across every stage, every street, every dance!
*For your inspiration: * Here are a few pieces of ballet history to keep you busy!
If youâre feeling historical, visit the National Ballet Schoolâs fascinating exhibition!
Fancy a ballet themed shopping spree? Tutus are not just for ballet! And I am talking the REAL thing, my lovely, not just pink tutus with an extra layer or tulle for good measure. You know my motto - itâs not just a tutu, itâs an attitude! I bet youâve got a showstopping, vibrant one waiting in the wings.
This is our monthly blog post - stay tuned for more adventures in pink! And, remember: a little pink magic makes everything beautiful!
Much love, Emma (P.S. And don't forget, www.pink-tutu.com!)
