Post 691: www.pink-tutu.com
Hello my dearest tutu-loving darlings! It’s your favourite time-travelling ballerina, Emma, back with another whirlwind adventure from the world of ballet history. This month, I’ve whisked myself away to a rather exciting year – 1718! Oh, the outfits, the scandals, the beginning of something magical... You know I can't resist a peek behind the curtain of ballet's history, and this time, Magic Meg and I are galloping through the streets of Paris.
It's absolutely fascinating how ballet was blossoming in France at this time. Think of it – ballet as a truly sophisticated art form is just beginning to take shape, with the Academy of Dance blossoming like a delicate pink rose. It’s like peering through the window of a ballet class in its early stages.
Our little journey started in a quiet cobbled street in Paris. I’d spotted a flurry of silk skirts and shimmering lace – all the signs of a ballet-loving adventure!
You see, it's so fascinating, darlings, because this was the era of ballet court. Royalty was infatuated with this graceful art, making every performance an elegant and opulent spectacle. I found myself standing outside the Opéra, my eyes widening as I pictured all the beautifully dressed ladies and gentlemen inside, enjoying an elegant evening performance. Imagine, a whole night dedicated to dance, to music, to artistry. That's what truly excites me. It’s why my bag is overflowing with treasures: beautifully crafted fabric scraps from exquisite costumes, hand-drawn dance steps by unknown masters, and notes scribbled by passionate ballet lovers – a real ballet time capsule, you could say.
And just when I thought this Parisian trip couldn’t get any more captivating, I caught a glimpse of Marie Sallé! She was already a prominent ballerina in Paris at this time. Her rebelliousness and her desire for dance that broke away from the formality of court dance sparked such a revolution in the art! This passionate soul, this epitome of graceful defiance – it’s no wonder she became such a renowned dancer. Her innovations helped move ballet beyond just a pretty performance.
However, the real highlight of my time-travelling trip? It’s about a particular fashion trend, darlings. Think layers upon layers of graceful frills, delicately tied ribbons, and perfectly powdered faces. The era of the "rococo" is in full swing!
Now, don’t let me get ahead of myself. It's not the clothes that really fascinated me (though they are delightful to observe!). The reason this historical moment is so captivating is because it marks the start of what we know as ballet shoes today. That’s right, before 1718, the dancers wore shoes with a large, bulky heel! You can imagine what an elegant pirouette looked like in those days, right? However, the 'pantouffles' – these soft, flexible, flat shoes – took the stage by storm! They opened up a whole new world of graceful movement and effortless pirouettes, making it easier for dancers to create beautiful, flowing, and delicate steps, a new expression that spoke through the soul.
Imagine, a dainty slipper with ribbons to secure it around the ankle - so chic and so incredibly practical for all the pirouettes, fouettés, and leaps. A tiny step towards what we know as modern ballet today!
Oh, what I wouldn't give to be part of that audience watching the very first ballerina wear those graceful shoes! I wonder how many gasps of surprise and admiration went up when that first plié danced to perfection?
Speaking of the perfect plie, my time-travelling adventure must come to an end, but I leave you with one final thought – even before the ballet slippers, before the lavish dresses and the dazzling costumes, ballet was about so much more than fancy footwear. It was a form of storytelling. It was a celebration of movement, and above all, it was a beautiful expression of art.
So remember my dearest tutus, you never need an excuse to dance. Just wear a pink tutu, hop on Magic Meg, and get dancing your heart out! Don't forget to visit our online store for the very best tutu collection.
See you next month!
Your always dancing Emma
Follow Emma’s time travel blog for more magical stories and history insights on www.pink-tutu.com. Emma is also available for dance and choreographing for your events - book now!To continue the blog format, add more details about 1718. A brief summary of the 400 years of ballet's history - mentioning some significant movements, people, innovations etc.
More Ballet HistoryThe year 1718 stands at an intriguing point in ballet history – it marks a bridge between ballet's courtly roots and its emerging embrace of artistry and expressiveness. Think of it like the stepping-stone from a formalized, courtly dance to the ballet we know today – dynamic, emotive and full of thrilling artistic potential.
For those of you who are eager to step back in time with me, let me guide you through ballet's fascinating history - all those fascinating years that led us to the ballet we enjoy today!
Early Ballet: The Seeds of Grace
As early as the 1400s, Italian courts witnessed ballet's debut as a celebratory performance. It wasn't like the ballets we know today – they were elaborate, heavily costumed and often interwoven with poetry.
The Renaissance was a crucial era in ballet’s growth. King Louis XIV of France embraced the art as his own, and he actively encouraged the development of the “Académie Royale de Danse” in Paris in the late 1600s. You can think of it as the very first ballet school!
These are the golden years, darlings, where ballet blossomed as a prestigious and refined form of dance. The "Ballet de Cour" - a dramatic blend of dance and storytelling - dominated the stage. Think intricate costumes, dazzling props and courtly decor. I’ve even stumbled across records in one of my Parisian trips, detailing dancers training with elegant movements – even in those days, it seems like elegance and artistry were already essential elements of dance.
The Evolution of the Tutu:
It was only around the 1800s that a very familiar silhouette in ballet emerged. The “tutu” was designed to show off a dancer’s agility and grace! Imagine a romantic period silhouette - swirling tulle and the delicate ballet shoe – they were revolutionizing the image of ballet dancers. Ballet finally began to resemble the refined art form we recognize today.
But how can we talk about the tutu without remembering those revolutionary, stylish women like Carlotta Grisi, or Maria Taglioni? These graceful figures took to the stage, mesmerizing their audiences with beautiful leaps and stunning spins. Ballet had gone through its elegant transformation – think more artistic and graceful.
I love imagining them dancing, darling! It is no wonder the graceful, free movement was such a phenomenon!
The 20th Century: Ballet Goes Global!
But the adventure doesn't end there, darling. With the early 1900s, ballet burst beyond the walls of Europe. It started attracting huge international attention with the works of Michel Fokine. Remember how we were talking about the ballet’s courtly roots, think of his contribution – this pioneering choreographer shook the foundations!
It is during these revolutionary years that dance truly became about expression and individuality. Gone was the strictly stylized choreography! It became passionate and experimental, expressing emotions through fluid movements. We see the ballet becoming even more captivating.
This incredible dance evolution saw ballets like "The Rite of Spring" burst onto the scene! Imagine, an intense, vibrant performance filled with unconventional and bold steps! It shook audiences from their comfort zones, challenging conventionality, and demanding their attention.
This decade also saw the rise of the "Ballets Russes," a dazzling troupe that revolutionised the ballet world, incorporating music and storytelling into performance with great intensity and energy. And it doesn’t end there. Anna Pavlova - what an iconic ballerina! Her artistry and captivating stage presence transformed the face of the ballet world and sparked a global passion for ballet. It’s because of her that the ballet has evolved to be much more theatrical, creating magical storylines within each performance.
We can truly say ballet was now becoming a powerful storytelling art form!
What are You Waiting For? Time To Step onto the Stage of History!
Darlings, the ballet history I've unveiled is truly the beginning of a wonderful, enchanting story. A story filled with captivating women, a passion for storytelling, a whirlwind of beautiful costume designs and daring new movement techniques! So my tutu-loving angels, never be afraid to wear your pink tutus and let the magic of dance guide you on a thrilling adventure through the rich world of ballet history. Don't just stop at a visit – immerse yourselves! And most importantly – find your passion in the art, and embrace the joy of movement!
Emma xoxo
