Enrico Rastelli facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Enrico Rastelli
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| Born | 19 December 1896 |
| Died | 13 December 1931 (aged 34) |
| Resting place | Cimitero Monumentale, Bergamo |
| Occupation | Juggler, Acrobat and Performer |
| Spouse(s) | Harriet (born Price) (1917) |
| Children | 3 |
Enrico Rastelli (born December 19, 1896, in Samara, Russia – died December 13, 1931, in Bergamo, Italy) was an amazing Italian juggler and acrobat. He was known as one of the greatest jugglers in history. He amazed audiences around the world with his incredible skills and unique style.
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Enrico's Early Life and Training
Enrico Rastelli was born into a circus family in Samara, Russia. Both his parents were talented performers. It wasn't long before young Enrico decided to follow in their footsteps. He trained very hard in many circus skills. These included acrobatics, balancing acts, and aerial tricks.
Enrico first performed on stage at age 13. He was part of his parents' aerial act. But his true passion and talent was juggling. He practiced juggling tirelessly, day after day. By the time he was 19, he was ready to perform his own solo juggling show.
A New Style of Juggling
When Enrico first started, he juggled sticks and balls. He performed in a traditional Japanese style. He even wore a Kimono as his costume.
Many jugglers of his time were called "gentleman jugglers." They wore fancy evening clothes. They would juggle everyday items like plates, hats, canes, bread, bottles, and even chairs. Enrico chose a different path. He decided to use objects that were easier to throw and catch. He mainly used plates, sticks, and balls.
This choice allowed him to become incredibly skilled. He could do tricks that no one else could. His simple choice of props also influenced modern juggling. Today, most jugglers use balls, clubs (like sticks), and rings (like plates).
Becoming a Star
In 1917, Enrico married Harriet, who was a highwire artist. By the early 1920s, he was becoming very famous. He toured all over Europe and America. Audiences were amazed by his shows. He also started earning a lot more money.
During this time, he began performing in a silk costume. He added impressive balancing tricks to his energetic shows. Later in the 1920s, he moved from circus rings to vaudeville theaters. These shows were often more profitable.
His style changed again. He started performing in a full soccer uniform. He would juggle up to five footballs at once! With his growing wealth, Enrico, his wife, and their three children bought a large villa in Bergamo, Italy.
Enrico's Legacy
In 1931, while touring Europe, Enrico became very ill. He quickly returned home to Bergamo. Sadly, his condition worsened, and he passed away on December 13, 1931. He was only 34 years old.
Thousands of people attended his funeral in Bergamo. A life-sized statue of Enrico was placed in his tomb. It shows him in a famous pose, spinning a ball on his raised finger. Vanity Fair magazine wrote about him in 1932. They said he had turned juggling into an art form. They praised his amazing skill and how easy he made it look.
Enrico Rastelli's impact on juggling is huge. He could juggle many objects at once. Sometimes, he would balance other things on his head or body. His world records for juggling many items were unmatched for a long time. He was also a master of "combination" tricks. For example, he could juggle six plates while spinning a hoop around one foot and skipping a rope held by an assistant! His influence is still felt today. Most jugglers still use clubs, rings, and balls, just like he did.
Images for kids
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The statue of Enrico Rastelli found at his tomb in Bergamo, Italy
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Enrico Rastelli in 1930
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Rastelli 1930 in Berlin
