Hello darlings! Welcome back to www.pink-tutu.com, your one-stop shop for all things pink, all things tutu, and of course, all things ballet!
This month, my dear time-travelling companions, we're pirouetting back to 1715, a year bubbling with excitement and a fascinating twist on the ballet world. Oh, and let me introduce you to Magic Meg! She's my beautiful pink-sparkling Shire horse, with golden hooves, a flowing white mane, and a spirit that shimmers like a diamond. She whisked me back in time, just in time to catch the pulse of a grand ballet ball.
Now, you may be thinking, "But Emma, ballet wasn't a big thing back in 1715?" Ah, my loves, but the seed of ballet's glory was already being sown! The early years of ballet were much different from the elegant ballets we see today. Imagine graceful ladies twirling in beautiful silk gowns, not tutus, dancing in grand salons with men and women all swirling and swaying together. It's a delightful picture, don't you think?
Now, before I tell you all about this fascinating dance evening, let me give you a little peek into my back-in-time essentials. On my back, I always carry a leather rucksack filled with things I've collected on my journeys: a shimmering pink ribbon from the French court of the 1700s, a program from an old Venetian opera house (yes, they had ballerinas back then too!), and even a tiny, exquisite pair of leather dancing shoes, a rare treasure from the court of Louis XIV. It's truly a delightful reminder of the wonderful dances I've been privileged to see!
Okay, back to 1715! Imagine, you're in London, stepping into a stately mansion, all crystal chandeliers and gilded furniture. A grand orchestra begins to play a majestic tune - the French waltz, which was all the rage at the time.
You know, darling, that "courtly dance" everyone thinks of from the past? Think graceful steps, dipping bows, and elaborate bows, with gentlemen escorting ladies around the floor. It was a graceful way to flirt and mingle in the highest of society, all under the shimmering chandeliers of these stunningly grand mansions.
My little Parisian dream: While 1715 might seem too early for our "tutu obsession," you know how I love the colours, the flair, and the romanticism of a pink tutu, so, naturally, I just had to whip out my favourite tulle confection for this grand ball. Just picture me, whirling in a vibrant pink tutu against the backdrop of such lavish décor.
I felt a bit like Cinderella at a grand royal ball, though my glass slipper was replaced with a beautifully soft pink satin slipper! There's something so enchanting about being transported to another era, feeling the pulse of a long-lost time, and I couldn't help but twirl and twirl and twirl.
Of course, I wouldn't miss the opportunity to find the story behind the dances. A gentle lady, her silk dress flowing around her like a waterfall, explained how they used to dance the 'minuet', a dance named after a little step (as its name implies, minuet, in French means "small step"! Can you believe that? How charming!). They loved to have dance instructors, and the dance classes they would have at these social events would often become the most exciting part of the evening. It's no wonder these social events became known as "Balls" and became part of history!
And who was in the ballroom that evening? Imagine the King, George I, and his royal court, all elegantly dressed, engaging in elegant conversation. But it wasn't all about royal pronouncements! Many prominent artists, actors, and writers graced the room as well. The air was charged with artistic energy, making it a captivating night indeed.
The Dance is in the Details
The dancers of the day, my dears, did wear magnificent, opulent gowns that shimmered in the candlelight. They were a beautiful dance spectacle in their own right. As for shoes, these ladies had exquisitely made leather shoes, sometimes with buckles for that touch of elegance.
Remember, this was a time when ballet as a distinct art form was evolving, finding its own unique style. I loved catching a glimpse into this exciting era when ballet was evolving into the form we know and love today! The energy of those dances, that intertwining of movements, the rhythm of the waltz, it was like stepping into the pages of a novel!
Now, to celebrate the waltz, how about we join our hands, dear readers, and waltz together! You might not have Magic Meg at your side (unless you are particularly fortunate!) but imagine her grace and elegance, and step into your own fantasy ball. Just picture it: you in your perfect pink tutu, waltzing to the beat of a grand orchestra!
And for my dear ballet aficionados, let's talk about ballet's "greatest hits" for the time. Now, sadly, there isn't much written information about specific ballet performances from 1715, but trust me, it was a busy time for dance! This was the time of the famous Jean-Baptiste Lully (we are talking serious history here! French dance superstar!) who wrote and directed the Ballet des Muses for the court. These operas, full of breathtaking choreography, would set the stage for even grander performances in the years to come.
The Tutu's Tale
Even without tutus, darling, the style, the grace, and the sheer joy of movement - oh, what a captivating spectacle it was. Remember, though the dancers weren't quite yet wearing our adored tutus, they still possessed incredible elegance and grace. They were telling stories, expressing emotions, all with a beautiful fluidity of motion. This was the birth of a passion for ballet - a passion that's truly been passed down for centuries!
So, my loves, the story of ballet, it seems, is all about evolution. Each era, each decade, adds its unique flourish to this graceful art form. Now, I might not always be in 1715, but what I'm wearing in any given time and space remains a secret between you and me. I may be a little ahead of the times... and you might not yet be sporting a fabulous pink tutu as I am. But who knows, my dears? Maybe, just maybe, the magic of ballet and a dash of pink inspiration can bring us all together!
That's it, darlings! My adventure to 1715 is now a part of my "Pink Tutu Travels" memories, a testament to the magic of dance that unites us all, regardless of time or place. Remember, darlings, the dance is never over! Let's keep this magic alive and maybe one day, we can all share a dance together! Until next month!
Love and glitter, Emma xx
