Hello, my fellow tutu-lovers! Emma here, ready to whisk you away on another exhilarating trip through time, courtesy of my trusty steed, Magic Meg. This month, we're venturing back to 11th November 1742. It was a Tuesday, and the air in Paris was thick with anticipation â the kind that only a grand night at the OpĂ©ra can bring!
Imagine this, darlings: cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages clinking and clopping, the twinkling lights of Parisian boutiques spilling out onto the pavements. Itâs a night fit for a duchess, and, well, I wouldnât want to disappoint. So naturally, I was sporting a glorious, flowing pink tulle tutu, complete with sparkling silver sequins. I canât deny, it got a few stares, but everyoneâs secretly dying to join the pink tutu revolution, I can feel it!
My favourite part of travelling through time is meeting the people of each era. Today, my leather rucksack was overflowing with stories of the dance world back in 1742, which is still quite a long way off from the refined ballet we see today. But donât be mistaken, this was a time when dance truly blossomed in all its glory!
At the OpĂ©ra, I found myself amongst a glittering assembly of French aristocracy. Gentlemen with powdered wigs and embroidered silk suits chatted eagerly amongst ladies decked in elaborate gowns. And what were they talking about, you might ask? Why, the renowned Mademoiselle SallĂ©, of course! She was the reigning queen of the dance stage, known for her daring moves, flamboyant style and, my darlings, scandalous costumes! The French aristocracy werenât just in for a treat â they were witnessing the birth of a dance superstar!
Now, the ballet back then wasn't exactly what we consider âballetâ nowadays. There wasnât a lot of en pointe, pirouettes and fancy footwork. It was more about dramatic expressions, storytelling through movement, and elaborate costumes and sets. But trust me, darling, the artistry was exquisite!
The dance was a whirlwind of emotion, showcasing all the strength, beauty and grace that this art form demands. It was incredible to witness the early seeds of what we now call classical ballet. Iâve got a whole folder of hand-drawn ballet sketches from this night in my bag! Oh, how I wish I could share them all with you, my lovelies.
Speaking of sketches, have you ever imagined what the ballet scene looked like in the 1700s? Imagine: ornate opera houses adorned with gilded walls, candlelight flickering over a captivated audience. It was a time when the theatre was not merely entertainment, but a celebration of art and cultural refinement. The ballet performances werenât just about steps, they were an emotional tapestry weaving together drama, music and design. I canât wait to bring this historical inspiration back to Derbyshire. I think a new choreography focusing on historical dances might just be the thing!
Now, before I delve deeper into my dance sketches, I have to tell you about my favourite discovery from this trip â an enchanting Parisian boutique overflowing with hand-sewn tutus, some as soft and frilly as a summer cloud! It was as though the shop itself was breathing in a symphony of colour. I had to grab a few â pink, of course â for my own collection and a couple to add to my travelling trunk for the next dance party!
If youâre dreaming of getting into a tutu, my lovelies, I strongly encourage you to head out and try it! Dance is for everyone! It doesnât matter if youâve never danced before. Get creative and create your own style! Embrace the joy of movement and the joy of wearing something so whimsical and liberating!
Until next time, my dear ballet bunnies, may your pirouettes be graceful and your dreams full of tutus!
Keep it pink and twirly!
Emma
xx
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