Hello fellow tutu lovers! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet, where we journey through time, discovering the captivating history of ballet! This month, I'm twirling my way back to March 3rd, 1709 – a date that holds a special significance for ballet enthusiasts like myself.
My faithful steed, Magic Meg, my beautiful pink sparkling Shire horse with her golden hooves and flowing white mane and tail, is already saddled up, and my pink tutu is all prepped and ready for a spectacular time travelling adventure. It’s always so much fun to travel with Magic Meg, she truly is the most magical pink horse I've ever met, with the softest nose to snuggle up to. Don’t worry, dear readers, I always pack my leather rucksack filled with ballet treasures and memories. You can bet I’m heading to a Parisian theatre on this trip!
It's no secret that I adore ballet, in all its forms – from the graceful artistry of classical ballets to the vibrancy and expressiveness of street and contemporary styles. I simply cannot resist the allure of the beautiful costumes, especially the gorgeous tutus.
And talking about tutus… let’s face it, the world would be a much better place with everyone in a pink tutu! Don't you agree?
As usual, to fund my adventures through the centuries, I'm performing a spectacular ballet showcase this weekend at my local Derbyshire theatre, which features a mixture of my favorite dances: some classics, and some new moves I have invented just for this show. Tickets are flying out! It's going to be fabulous!
Okay, let's dive into 1709! Imagine this: Parisian society is buzzing with excitement – a new era in ballet is emerging, one that marks a major departure from the court ballets of the past. Forget about the lavish and ornate gowns of the French court! Instead, we're moving towards a leaner and more agile aesthetic, a more natural way of movement that emphasizes grace and lightness.
This shift in ballet history coincides with the rise of a revolutionary figure: Louis XIV. Yes, that Louis XIV. Known as the "Sun King," he's an absolute monarch and the driving force behind a complete artistic renaissance, including a bold and exciting change for the art of ballet.
Remember, ballet during this time was much more than simply dance – it was an art form intertwined with courtly spectacle, mythology, and a sense of regal grandeur. While le grand ballet still dominated the Parisian stage, a new kind of ballet – the "ballet de cour" – is about to shake things up, introducing elements of story and emotion. It’s not about strict and rigid choreography – instead, ballet de cour is about free-flowing movement and dramatic interpretation. I just love a bit of drama on the stage.
In fact, on March 3rd, 1709, we can see the influence of the "ballet de cour" in action! It was the first performance of L’amour vainqueur, a production designed to enchant the audience with its unique blend of music, poetry, and dramatic spectacle.
Here are some insights from my ballet notes on L’amour vainqueur :
This production incorporated music specifically designed to match the specific moods and themes of the dancing, which adds a new dimension to ballet performance. The interplay between dance and music would only get richer and more expressive over the years.
This performance, and others around it, marked a significant shift in the visual aspects of ballet. There was an emphasis on more "natural" attire – think simpler, lighter, more delicate costumes – and an exploration of innovative makeup techniques that created more natural-looking characters on stage. Now we are talking!
The performance aimed for something truly special, moving away from courtly grandiosity and focusing on storytelling and emotional expression. Isn’t that fabulous! This move signaled a major change in ballet’s artistic goals.
While we might not see the modern tutu as we know it, these changes in costume and artistry would eventually set the stage for the graceful tutus that grace stages all over the world today! What's more, this move away from strict court formality paved the way for ballet to evolve into the versatile art form that captivates audiences to this day.
So, my lovely tutu enthusiasts, join me as we imagine those dancers on the Parisian stage – with their newly embraced simplicity in dress and movements, breathing new life into a captivating art form. And while we may not have tutus in our familiar form yet, the shift toward elegance, agility, and expressiveness in movement lays the foundation for what ballet will eventually become – an art form full of intricate and mesmerizing dances.
I cannot wait for the next ballet adventure! Until next month, remember to keep twirling and spreading the love of ballet!
With a big pink bow,
Emma
Don’t forget, you can find more on this time traveling blog and the world of pink tutus at www.pink-tutu.com
This blog is for entertainment purposes only, and the author, a whimsical ballerina blogger with a love of all things pink, encourages everyone to celebrate the wonders of ballet in all its glorious forms, from classic ballet to the exciting street dance scene.
