Hello darling ballet lovers! Welcome back to Pink Tutu Time Travels, your monthly dose of historical ballet adventures! I’m Emma, your resident pink tutu-wearing time-traveler, straight from the heart of Derbyshire. This month, we’re whisking you away to a most momentous occasion – 1st January, 1670, a date that marks the very beginning of ballet as we know it!
Today is blog post number 109, and my trusty steed, Magic Meg, a magnificent pink, sparkling Shire with golden hooves, is already champing at the bit! Don’t you just love her sparkling pink coat? She’s the best companion for a ballet time-traveler! On my back is my trusty leather rucksack, bursting with the treasures I’ll unearth – ballet books, antique costumes, maybe even a piece of forgotten choreography. It’s quite the thrill, discovering these lost fragments of history, adding a little sparkle to the world, one pink tutu at a time.
This month, Magic Meg and I are headed to Paris, France, a place overflowing with style and grace. This date marks the very establishment of the Académie Royale de Danse (Royal Academy of Dance) by none other than King Louis XIV, the Sun King! Can you imagine? Ballet being elevated to an actual academy, a place where grace and skill were to be taught and refined. Talk about a monumental occasion!
A Time of Elegance
1670 was a truly vibrant time for Parisian fashion. Ladies adorned themselves in elegant silks, brocades, and luxurious lace, with intricate hairstyles and jewels galore. As I rode through the cobbled streets of Paris, a wave of pink silks swirled around me like a pink cloud, it’s practically begging to inspire a new choreography! Imagine, the entire royal court, dressed to the nines, swaying to the rhythm of this revolutionary academy’s new steps!
But this academy was about more than just elegance – it was about technique, structure, and artistry. Before this, ballet had existed as a courtly entertainment, a playful blend of dance and elaborate costumes. However, with this academy came the development of new steps, techniques, and strict rules, shaping the foundations of ballet for centuries to come. And I can’t tell you how excited I am to see what it’s like! My heart’s just bursting with the prospect of new moves, new steps, and new routines!
From the Court to the Stage
But how are you to truly capture the magic of this time, of this era-defining moment in ballet history? You must see a performance, my darlings, it’s not merely about studying a few steps, but it’s about feeling the passion!
The first official performance was just weeks after the academy’s foundation, on March 14th, 1670. It was a theatrical ballet titled "The Triumph of Love" with costumes designed by Jean Bérain the Elder. This first performance would be a stunning spectacle, featuring extravagant scenery, elaborate costumes, and skilled dancing by the court’s most talented performers.
The idea of theatre in itself is such a thrilling thing, and the performances held in Versailles, and other beautiful French theatres, truly set the stage for ballet to become a full-blown art form. Can you imagine performing in front of royalty? The atmosphere, the beauty of the costuming, the grandeur of the settings!
I wonder what dances were performed on this glorious first night, what new movements were unleashed!
Fashion Frenzy
Naturally, the opening of the Academy had a major impact on the fashion scene. This meant a new, more elegant way of dressing for dance, focusing on movement and grace. As you can imagine, this gave rise to the development of what we would recognise today as ballet shoes, which were flat and supple to enable elegant and nimble footwork. I even managed to nab a pair for myself from the local shoemaker, they’re made of delicate kid leather, soft enough to move with the body, with ribbons to tie the dancer’s feet!
We cannot forget about the most essential piece of ballet attire – the tutu! The early tutus, also called panniers, weren’t the frilly creations we see today. Instead, they were these voluminous structures made of hoops, fabric, and whalebone. But still! These early versions were all about capturing that effortless grace and ethereal beauty. Of course, they were nothing like my Pink Tutu. It is such a wonderful fluffy and delicate garment, with its pink feathers and dazzling glitter. Imagine, the ladies here in 1670, wouldn't mind a sprinkle of magic on their gowns to create a magnificent display. It’s time to spread the pink tutu revolution into this historical age, don’t you think?
Beyond Paris: Spreading the Joy of Dance
1670 may mark the birth of ballet as a codified form, but it wasn’t the end of the story! The academy soon spread its influence throughout Europe, sparking a flurry of artistic creativity and dance academies in cities such as Milan, Vienna, and even England!
Now, if you think London was all fog and chimney smoke, think again, darling. In fact, ballet enjoyed a wonderful presence in England back then, a beautiful, rich history we might uncover on our future trips!
As we gallop through history, imagine all the fascinating discoveries, stories, and movements waiting for us.
I cannot wait for what’s to come, and what new and delightful fashion trends await. My latest collection at www.pink-tutu.com is already bursting with dazzling and captivating outfits that celebrate every historical age!
And until next time, remember: There’s a pink tutu for everyone. So go ahead, spin your way into a dance revolution!
Much love,
Emma
