#BalletHistory during 1787 03 March

Hello lovelies! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing time traveller, ready to whisk you away to another era of ballet wonder. This month, we're taking a trip back to 3rd March, 1787, and trust me, there’s plenty of pirouettes and panache to uncover!

It was a gloriously sunny day in Derbyshire, with a touch of crisp spring air – just the sort of weather that makes me yearn for a light, billowing pink tutu and a whirl through a sunny meadow. Imagine it! A flurry of pale pink tulle against a backdrop of blue skies – just dreamy!

Now, as you all know, Magic Meg and I are all about venturing into the past, collecting stories, trinkets, and inspiration. My leather rucksack is positively brimming with treasures from previous adventures, and this trip was no exception! This time, however, our journey led us straight to the heart of the ballet world – right to Paris, where a whole new dance trend was about to take the world by storm!

Imagine stepping into the glittering halls of the Opéra Garnier in Paris. There's a palpable buzz in the air as the lights dim, and the music swells, ready to unveil a show that will change the history of dance – “La Fille Mal Gardée” (The Ill-Governed Girl)!

This captivating ballet was an absolute game-changer. It broke away from the rigid, codified routines of classical ballet and instead offered a story of love, laughter, and countryside life – with charming characters and delightfully relatable situations. I'm telling you, this wasn't your usual highbrow ballet! It brought ballet down to earth, showcasing real people, and real emotions with joyous folk dance inspired movements.

And the beauty of it? This ballet ushered in the era of "Romantic Ballet," with a focus on grace, elegance, and lyrical movement, featuring characters inspired by literature and folklore. This shift brought us ethereal fairy tales, and fantastical settings on stage, setting the scene for all the beautiful ballet stories we know and love today!

Oh, the possibilities! This era was bursting with artistic expression – imagine a ballet inspired by a captivating poem, or a magical woodland setting for the fairies. How perfectly romantic! We are lucky that these imaginative thinkers opened up this exciting new chapter in ballet history.

Now, no trip to Paris is complete without indulging in some exquisite fashion! As you can imagine, my time travel wardrobe needed an update.

Paris was simply buzzing with the latest trends, with fabrics so rich and colors so bold. You’d be surprised at how stylish ballet fashion was back in the 18th century – the costumes for "La Fille Mal Gardée" were a revelation – simple yet captivating! Just imagine a pink bodice with intricate lace trim and a tulle skirt. It’s almost as if they were prefiguring my very own style!

I managed to snag some delicate, hand-stitched lace to adorn my tutus back home, and a stunning vintage silk shawl that would look simply divine with my latest pink tutu creation!

Speaking of tutus, the ballet dancers at the Opéra Garnier had me completely mesmerized. While the styles may have been different, their passion and artistry were just as breathtaking.

Seeing a performance of “La Fille Mal Gardée" transported me to another world. The stage came alive with emotion. I couldn’t help but steal a peek at the backstage chaos and soak up all the atmosphere, making notes in my ballet journal and dreaming of what the future held for the world of ballet.

You know how much I love ballet street performances too, and as it turns out, ballet dancers of this era were bringing their magic to the streets of Paris – a fantastic form of social ballet. I’d imagine those captivating performances with beautiful music playing through the streets. It just proves that ballet was for everyone!

Every journey into the past always reminds me how important it is to cherish and celebrate our unique place in ballet history. We all play a role in keeping this beautiful art form alive and thriving. It's a constant cycle of inspiration – looking back to the greats who paved the way and building on their legacy with our own creative passion.

So let’s all embrace the magic of ballet together – through classes, performances, and celebrating our passion for the dance. And never forget, my loves, to wear pink tutus and let your joy shine brightly – it's the ultimate ballet spirit, after all!

I can't wait to see you all on the website www.pink-tutu.com for my next ballet-themed time-travel adventure!

Much love,

Emma xx