Hello, darling ballet enthusiasts! Emma here, your resident pink-tutu-wearing time traveller, and I'm buzzing to tell you about my latest adventure. It's a whirlwind trip back to the 1797! Let's buckle our ballet shoes and embark on a fabulous journey together...
A Touch of the Romantic
This month, I decided to dip my toes into the early days of ballet Romanticism, and what a fabulous time it was! Picture it: Paris, April 1797. The sun was shining, a crisp Parisian breeze swirled around my pink tutu, and even Magic Meg was prancing with extra flair in her sparkly pink saddle cloth. She looked simply divine, especially with those golden hooves against the cobbled streets.
A World Premiere in the City of Lights
This trip was all about seeing the premiere. You guessed it, darling! It was a momentous occasion – La Fille Mal Gardée, by Jean Dauberval, finally had its Paris debut! I snuck into the theatre and was transported! The story was so engaging – the forbidden romance of Lise and Colas, the mischief of their families, the beautiful pas de deux, and the sheer delight of the dance.
It was so clear why La Fille Mal Gardée would become a classic. I found myself swaying in my seat, caught up in the energy of the music and the joyful story. This ballet was truly the expression of Romanticism on stage. It's hard to believe it had already taken six years to make its way to Paris, and it had been in the works since the 1780s! This piece was destined to become an all-time favourite, even now it's still so popular – imagine being part of its original debut!
Parisian Flair
Of course, I took the opportunity to do a little shopping in Paris. The shops were full of elegant costumes with beautiful flowing fabrics and romantic lace trims. Imagine my excitement at seeing the gowns and hats on sale! I had to add some beautiful pieces to my ballet history collection - my rucksack is brimming with treasures from the past, and it's my own little time travelling memory box.
Pink on the Promenade
To top off the trip, we took Magic Meg on a stroll around Paris. It's true – even back in 1797, Paris was known for its chic residents and stunning fashions. We even passed by the Palais Royal gardens, just imagine those grand gardens! All those fountains and statuary - absolutely stunning. I'm dreaming of dancing a waltz around those fountains myself, darling!
And guess what? While enjoying a hot chocolate at a cafe, I even spotted a few gentlemen in pastel-coloured waistcoats! My dream of pink domination isn't as impossible as it seems. Every bit helps, eh?
Ballet History Lessons
I'm feeling so inspired to learn more about ballet in this period. It was exciting to feel a sense of history – how things were just beginning to change in the world of dance, how romantic stories were being brought to life on the stage, and how the energy of ballet was so revolutionary! It reminds me, dear readers, that every generation brings its own brilliance to ballet.
Pink Inspiration
If there's anything this trip reminded me of, it's to always keep those creative juices flowing! That's why I encourage all of you to think pink! Put on your tutus, go dancing, embrace the stories of ballet, and let your inner ballerina shine! And remember, no matter how far back in time we journey, there's always magic to be found in a swirling pink tutu!
Until next month, my lovelies. Don't forget to share your thoughts on La Fille Mal Gardée at www.pink-tutu.com!
With sparkling joy,
Emma
P.S. Want to learn more about 18th-century ballet history? Drop me a line in the comments below, darling!
