Carlotta Grisi facts for kids
Carlotta Grisi (born Caronne Adele Josephine Marie Grisi; 28 June 1819 – 20 May 1899) was a famous Italian ballet dancer. She was born in Visinada, Istria (which is now Vižinada, Croatia). Even though her parents were not involved in theater, she grew up in a family connected to opera. She learned ballet at the Teatro alla Scala in Milan. Later, she trained with the dancer and ballet master Jules Perrot. Carlotta Grisi was especially known for her amazing performance in the classic ballet "Giselle".
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Carlotta Grisi's Life and Career
Carlotta Grisi made her first big appearance in London in 1836. She danced with the talented danseur Jules Perrot. After that, she performed in Paris in 1840. A year later, she toured other parts of Europe with Perrot. Thanks to Perrot's connections, they worked in Paris, London, Vienna, Munich, and Milan. She could both sing and dance, but her dancing was what made her famous. By dancing Perrot's ballets, which were very popular, she became well-known to both audiences and critics.
The Premiere of Giselle
Her most important role was in the ballet Giselle. This two-act ballet first opened on 28 June 1841 in Paris. Carlotta Grisi danced the main part of Giselle. The role of Albrecht was danced by Lucien Petipa. The ballet was a huge success! Critics said Giselle was the best ballet of its time. It quickly made Grisi a big star in Paris. Her salary grew a lot, showing how popular she had become. This ballet also changed her relationship with Jules Perrot.
Carlotta Grisi's Talents
A dance historian named Lillian Moore described Carlotta Grisi's unique abilities. She said Grisi combined the best qualities of other famous ballerinas of her time. Grisi had the light, bouncy jumps of Taglioni. She also had the strong technique and acting skills of Elssler. And she had the joyful, lively style of Cerrito. Moore believed that while Grisi might not have been the best in just one area, she was the most versatile dancer of them all.
Dancing in Russia and Retirement
Carlotta Grisi's last performance in Western Europe was in 1849. In 1850, she went to St. Petersburg, Russia. Jules Perrot had become the ballet master there. She danced Giselle at the Imperial Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre. At first, the Russian audience was not as excited about her Giselle. This was because Fanny Elssler had been the first to dance Giselle in Russia. But over time, the Russians learned to love Carlotta Grisi's talent. She was the main ballerina in St. Petersburg from 1850 to 1853. She worked with Perrot and also with Joseph Mazilier. He created special ballets for her, like La Jolie Fille de Gand.
In 1854, Carlotta Grisi left Russia with her daughter, Julie-Marie. She planned to keep dancing in Warsaw. However, she decided to retire from ballet when she was at the peak of her fame. She then had another daughter, Léontine Grisi. At 34 years old, she settled in Saint-Jean, Geneva. She lived a peaceful life there at Villa Grisi for the next 46 years. She passed away there on 20 May 1899, just before her 80th birthday.
One of the creators of Giselle, Théophile Gautier, was married to Carlotta's sister, Ernestina. He said Carlotta's dancing had a childlike innocence and a happy, joyful spirit. Carlotta Grisi was also the cousin of two famous opera singers, the sisters Giuditta and Giulia Grisi.
Carlotta Grisi's Famous Roles
- She was the first to dance the main role of Giselle (created by Jules Perrot, Jean Coralli, and Adolphe Adam in 1841).
- She created the dual role of Peri/Leila in the ballet La Péri (created by Jean Coralli and Friedrich Burgmüller in 1843).
- She created the main role in Paquita (created by Joseph Mazilier and Edouard Deldevez in 1844).
- She was one of the four main ballerinas in Pas de Quatre (created by Jules Perrot and Cesare Pugni in 1845).
- She created the role of Mazourka in Le Diable à Quatre (created by Joseph Mazilier and Adolphe Adam in 1845).
See also
- Women in dance
- In Spanish: Carlotta Grisi para niños
