Hello my darlings! It's Emma here, your favourite pink tutu-wearing, time-travelling ballet blogger. This month I'm waltzing back to September 9th, 1736. Can you believe it's been almost 300 years since this magical date? Imagine a world without the iconic tutu – a real tragedy! But don't you worry, I'm on a mission to get the whole world swirling in a sea of pink!
As you all know, my love affair with ballet started in my home county of Derbyshire. I can still recall that magical feeling of leaping into the studio and swirling like a whirlwind in my favourite pink tutu. The joy and grace of ballet, the music, the passion, the breathtaking costumes - it all made me want to explore it all! My desire for that magical, timeless quality led me to find a special pink-hued, sparkling Shire horse with golden hooves called Magic Meg, who lets me ride through time, allowing me to experience the world of ballet in its finest form throughout history. I have a leather rucksack packed to the brim with ballet ephemera, collecting treasures and memories from each adventure.
Today we're travelling back to 1736! Oh, my darlings, I’m excited to share my discoveries! As we galloped through time, Magic Meg (who, I must add, always sparkles magnificently in a pink halter!), stopped off at the Parisian Opéra in September, 1736. The very first ballet school was set up by Pierre Beauchamp just a few decades ago. Back then, it was an exclusive affair, really only accessible to the upper classes! But still, ballet was on its way to becoming an art form we all cherish today!
The Parisian scene in 1736 was bubbling with new styles. Think of swirling skirts, elaborate hairstyles adorned with feathers and jewels, and shoes with rococo-style detailing. Oh, wouldn't that make a fantastic ballet costume?! The dancers wore beautiful panniers – remember those dramatic, cage-like structures under the skirt – with vibrant satins and velvet, creating a silhouette of a perfectly curved hourglass.
On this particular evening, 1736's high society was enjoying the works of a composer named Jean-Baptiste Lully. This genius used a style of composition that was incredibly popular at the time, called 'French Overture', a three-part composition, combining majestic music with lyrical dances. Imagine, darling, watching this beautiful ballet with the incredible grandeur of that era, adorned with exquisite music. My imagination is ablaze with visions of intricate steps, precise choreography and captivating stories being told in silence, a true feat!
But the beauty of that time, for me, is the evolution. While I dream of a world where everyone dances in pink, even if tutus hadn't become the iconic, ethereal symbol of ballet back in 1736, we were moving towards that fabulous vision! Even if the Parisian opulence back then wasn't what we'd recognise today, it laid the foundation for the future of ballet.
From the heart of France to London's heart, the world of ballet was blossoming. My next stop? The very heart of Covent Garden, home to the Royal Opera House! While the opera house itself was still quite young at the time (only built a couple of decades before), the performances taking place were nothing short of awe-inspiring. Think of lavish balls with stunning costumes, masks, and waltzes that spun and twirled throughout the night. The dancers wore these beautiful silk gowns, fitted at the waist and adorned with frills and ribbons. I have to say, my darling, those fabrics were the most breathtaking. So romantic! Imagine the luxurious colours swirling around the stage! I'm itching to have a dance with a powdered-wigged gentleman, although my trusty pink tutu might look a tad out of place!
Although my visit was brief, it was definitely enough to witness a spectacle like no other. And I know, darlings, that you, just like me, would love to waltz back in time! Imagine dancing to music created centuries ago. It's magical. Just as a little side note, I do try and incorporate elements of historical ballet fashion into my own tutu creations, as well as the modern, whimsical feel. I just love experimenting with different styles, don't you?
But here's what I really wanted to share with you all, my dears: ballet is a universal language. Its roots reach back centuries, weaving its magic through time and across the world. Ballet is more than a dance; it's an art form that reflects the very essence of humanity - grace, passion, and the incredible stories that come to life in every step, every twirl.
Let’s carry this magic with us, you and I, as we explore more historical gems on the pink tutu's journey.
And who knows? Maybe someday, we’ll all be dancing in pink tutus together, transported to a world of joy and elegance!
See you all next month!
XOXO
Emma, your Pink Tutu Time Travelling Blogger!
Remember to check out www.pink-tutu.com for more posts, photos and video diaries!
