Armand Vestris facts for kids
Auguste-Armand Vestris (born in Paris, likely between 1786 and 1795 – died May 17, 1825, in Vienna) was an important French dancer and choreographer in the early 1800s. He came from a very famous family of dancers.
Early Life and Dance Training
Auguste-Armand was the son of Auguste Vestris, who was also a well-known dancer. He learned to dance from his grandfather, Gaétan Vestris, another legendary dancer. Auguste-Armand first performed on stage at the Paris Opera when he was only four years old! He even danced alongside his father and grandfather.
A Career on Stage
Auguste-Armand traveled a lot for his dancing career. He performed in Italy and Portugal before moving to London in 1809.
Becoming a Ballet Master
From 1813 to 1816, he worked as a ballet master (someone who teaches and creates ballets) at the King's Theatre in London. Later, he moved to Vienna, where he passed away.
A Special Ballet Performance
One of his most famous ballets was called La Fée et le Chevalier, which premiered in 1823. In this ballet, a dancer named Amalia Brugnoli did something amazing: she performed for the very first time completely on the tips of her toes, a technique called pointe work. This was a big moment in ballet history! Even a young Marie Taglioni, who would become a very famous ballerina, was impressed.
Family and Marriage
In 1813, Auguste-Armand married Lucia Elizabeth Bartolozzi. She later became a very famous singer, actress, and even managed her own theater. She was known by her stage name, "Madame Vestris." Auguste-Armand and Lucia Elizabeth later separated in 1817.
