Hello my lovely readers! Welcome back to my monthly ballet adventures in time. This month, Magic Meg, my trusty pink shimmering Shire horse with golden hooves, and I have whisked our way back to a very important date in ballet history: 2nd February 1669!
As always, before we get into the whirl of our adventure, let me just share my outfit - what's a Pink Tutu Travel post without it, right? Today, my darling readers, I am swathed in a heavenly pastel pink silk tutu (can you believe I found it on a market stall in Victorian London just last week? Talk about a stroke of luck!), a beautiful pale pink blouse with puff sleeves and, of course, a pink velvet ribbon in my hair. My rucksack, made from the softest leather, is just begging to be filled with the latest treasures of the ballet world. And Magic Meg is absolutely stunning, as ever, sporting a pink silk ribbon tied to her mane, with tiny matching ribbons around her golden hooves. It truly is a picture-perfect sight for any lover of pink!
Now, on with the story! Why is 2nd February 1669 so significant, you ask? Because this very day saw the grand opening of the Académie Royale de Danse in Paris! Imagine the thrill! I can picture a bustling crowd gathered outside the imposing building, the excitement palpable, as they eagerly awaited the first performance.
But it wasn't just any performance! The inaugural programme included four ballets choreographed by the legendary Pierre Beauchamp, one of the founding members of the academy! He was, you see, the pioneer of "noble" and courtly dance movements that would transform French ballet and lay the groundwork for centuries of ballet excellence.
So, imagine this: we arrive at the academy just in time for the performance! I practically bounced into the building, taking in every exquisite detail, and oohed and aahed at the grandeur of it all. Just imagine the buzz! The scent of perfumes, the silken rustle of clothes, the hushed anticipation as the first curtain rose.
It truly was a magical night. As the ballet dancers - each clad in beautifully-designed costumes - pirouetted and danced across the stage, I was enthralled. It was so exciting to witness this new style of dance firsthand, one so different from the lighter and more courtly dances prevalent elsewhere at the time. It was bold, elegant, and infused with the passionate soul of French dance.
During the interval, I found myself surrounded by enthusiastic, elegantly-dressed audience members. We all buzzed with excitement, exchanging enthusiastic opinions on the performances, and it was then that I realised: the future of ballet was bright and oh, so exciting.
After the performance, my rucksack overflowing with sketches and snippets of the program, I took Magic Meg through the cobbled streets of Paris. As we ambled past street musicians and charming flower stalls, I had to remind myself of my time travel journey and where we were: a beautiful city pulsating with the spirit of new beginnings! I envisioned myself in the throngs of elegant Parisians, my tutu twirling as I marvelled at this momentous moment in dance history.
My readers, it is precisely this moment in time - the thrill of the birth of the Académie Royale de Danse, the energy of the groundbreaking ballet performances, and the exuberant Parisian atmosphere that has left me absolutely giddy!
Don't forget, my dears, every moment in ballet history is special, each era a vital stepping stone to the enchanting art we know and love today!
Before I go, I just have to tell you: I have started making pink tutus for all of you! That's right! Just go to the 'Pink Tutu' tab on my website for all your tutus needs. What better way to celebrate this fabulous date in ballet history than to all get together, wearing beautiful pink tutus, ready to take on the world?
That's it from me, my darlings! Until next month, keep twirling and never stop spreading the joy of dance!
Emma xx
www.pink-tutu.com
P.S. For the ballet enthusiasts, you can also learn more about the Académie Royale de Danse on my site! And please leave me a message, a poem, or a drawing in the comment box below, or join my Facebook page 'Pink Tutu Time Travel', and let me know where in time you would like to go! And please let me know if you like my tutu!
And that, my dear readers, is another tale from Pink Tutu Travels! Join us next month as we time travel to yet another momentous date in the world of dance! But, for now, I must go... a busy schedule awaits me! After all, who can say no to a ballet performance, shopping for the perfect pink ballet costume, and exploring Parisian backstreets, even if they're 350 years old?!
Until then, let the joy of dance be your guide, and remember... Pink tutus are ALWAYS a good idea!
