#BalletHistory during 1670 04 April

Hey, my lovely ballerina babes! It's Emma here, and guess what? It's time for another pink tutu adventure! This month, I'm whisking you back to the 1670s, and boy, is it exciting!

Hold on tight, darling, because Magic Meg and I are galloping into the past, where the world of ballet was just beginning to bloom. Today's date is the 4th of April, 1670, and it's a significant one for ballet history! I'm wearing my favourite sparkly pink tutu (it’s just a tad dusty after the time travel but oh-so-fabulous), and it’s perfectly appropriate for our historical rendezvous!

Our journey begins in the lush green countryside of Derbyshire. The air is crisp, and the sun is peeking through the branches. Magic Meg, my darling pink sparkling shire horse with the golden hooves and flowing white mane and tail, is champing at the bit. With a flick of her golden mane and a whispered “Come on Meg!”, we're off!

The journey through time is magical! We rush through swirling clouds of colour and glittering starlight, past ancient forests and over shimmering seas. Magic Meg loves it just as much as I do. It’s exhausting, exhilarating and fabulous. Sometimes I wish I could take you all along but the rules are, sadly, strictly enforced.

As we arrive, the air is filled with a hush of excitement. I see a grand, cobbled courtyard leading to a building of warm, welcoming brick. It’s the Paris Opéra! But a very different Opéra from the one we know today!

Tonight is a special night! In this hallowed hall, the newly formed Royal Academy of Dance, the Académie Royale de Danse, is holding its very first ballet performance. The King himself, Louis XIV, has requested a special performance – imagine! Can you even imagine a king being such a ballet enthusiast?! Talk about #RoyalFanGoals!

This Academy, created just two years prior in 1668, is a game-changer for ballet! It sets a new standard, moving away from courtly dances to the sophisticated and structured style we still see in classical ballet today.

What's more exciting is the presence of the illustrious Pierre Beauchamp, renowned choreographer and one of the founders of this incredible Academy. Can you imagine getting to meet Pierre Beauchamp? It's every ballet historian’s dream!

Inside the Opéra, the excitement is palpable. I clutch my ballet backpack filled with notebooks, my pink tutu twirling ever so gently with every movement I make. My bag is always overflowing with things I find interesting – a beautiful 17th-century ballet score, an engraved ivory comb decorated with a charming dancer and some exquisitely delicate ballet shoes made of white silk.

The performance begins, and my jaw drops. I am transported to a world of elegant leaps, graceful gestures and stunning costumes. The ballerinas are dressed in elaborate robes, showcasing an intricate beauty beyond anything we’d see today! A flurry of silk and brocade – just dreamy! I must take notes in my journal.

Speaking of dress! Back in 1670, men and women would wear something truly spectacular. The ballerinas are captivating in gowns with puffed sleeves and flowing skirts, with jewels sparkling from their elegant hairstyles. Their hair is done up in exquisite, towering arrangements with plumes and sparkling jeweled ribbons, and even the gentlemen are sporting elegant and elaborate costumes. Oh my, what a delightful explosion of colour and style!

The ballet they’re performing is based on the Greek myth of L’Amour Venge (The Revenge of Love). Just the title itself has me swooning. The plot seems a little on the dramatic side – love, deceit, betrayal and ultimate reconciliation! It all takes place on a stunning stage, featuring elaborate scenery and vibrant, painted backdrops – truly stunning! Just imagine a giant forest or a shimmering castle on the stage! It must have been incredibly awe-inspiring.

This was the world of ballet! No tutus back then! Oh, to have been there, just for one performance, to be mesmerized by these magnificent, historical dancers. It really puts everything in perspective, doesn’t it, ladies? Our love of ballet is part of a beautiful, historic timeline – we’re connected to the first steps taken in this beautiful art form!

After the show, I stay to watch the audience, to get a feel of their appreciation and connection to the art of ballet. The buzz of excitement is incredible – it's evident this first public performance of the Académie Royale de Danse is a triumphant moment. Everyone is enthralled! I imagine everyone is talking about the performance at all the salons in the city the following day! I wish I could hear the gossip and chatter about this groundbreaking event!

Tonight, though, the spotlight shines brightly on this nascent art form – the beauty and magic of dance are shining ever so clearly in the world's eye. A dance revolution!

As the lights fade and the crowd slowly begins to disperse, I find myself caught in the magic of the moment. I grab my ballet notebook from my rucksack, take a few deep breaths, and try to jot down everything I’ve absorbed. The stories of ballet are more than just fashion and style, but they’re truly something that gets you feeling, that make you truly appreciate the dedication and love for the art that has passed down through generations of dancers.

Magic Meg, always my trusty companion, whinnies gently and we're whisked back through time!

We've got this whole history of beauty, style and artistry that comes from centuries ago! My Pink Tutu has history too, though not from such an ancient time period. But every time I step onto a stage, I'm drawn back to that world, that magical, enchanting moment where people of every walk of life came together to witness a dazzling spectacle – a truly moving expression of dance and beauty.

My journey with the Pink Tutu began a while back! A long time before I started my blog, it started with my fascination with history! My life, as many of you know, is dedicated to exploring the world of ballet in all its glory, and it is through those historical adventures that I have a genuine connection with this world – because I’m part of a dance history legacy!

Every Pink Tutu Time Travel story adds to my ballet heritage. It helps me to remember that, through the centuries, people have found comfort, expression, joy, excitement and artistry through dance.

From 1670 onwards, a world of ballet continues to evolve and fascinate, bringing delight to everyone lucky enough to be captivated by it! And as a proud pink tutu wearer and devoted time traveller, it's my goal to keep the spirit of dance and that dazzling spectacle alive!

Next month, we’ll travel together on another fantastic Pink Tutu time travel adventure! Until then, let your inner ballerina shine! Keep an eye out for updates at www.pink-tutu.com

Yours, in all things pink and tutu,

Emma x