Filippo Taglioni facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Filippo Taglioni
|
|
|---|---|
Filippo Taglioni, circa 1820
|
|
| Born | 5 November 1777 |
| Died | 11 February 1871 (aged 93) |
| Nationality | Italian |
| Occupation | ballet dancer, choreographer, teacher |
| Known for | La Sylphide |
| Spouse(s) | Sophie Karsten |
| Children | Marie Taglioni, Paul Taglioni |
| Parent(s) | Carlo Taglioni |
Filippo Taglioni (born November 5, 1777 – died February 11, 1871) was a famous Italian dancer and choreographer. He is well-known for teaching his daughter, Marie Taglioni, who became a very famous ballerina during the Romantic period. Filippo also had another child, Paul Taglioni, who became a ballet dancer too. Even though another version is more famous today, Filippo Taglioni was the original choreographer of the ballet La Sylphide in 1832.
Contents
Early Life and Dance Training
Filippo Taglioni was born in Milan, Italy. His father's name was Carlo. Filippo learned to dance mainly from two important teachers: Carlo Blasis and Jean-François Coulon.
He first performed on stage when he was 17 years old in Pisa. At that time, he sometimes danced in female roles. After dancing in other Italian cities, he joined the Paris Opera as a dancer when he was 22.
Moving to Sweden and Family Life
Because another dancer, Auguste Vestris, was very important at the Paris Opera, Filippo decided to move. He accepted an offer to become a main dancer and ballet master for the Royal Swedish Ballet in Stockholm, Sweden.
In Stockholm, he married a dancer named Sophie Karsten in 1803. Sophie was the daughter of a famous Swedish opera singer. Filippo and Sophie had two children, Marie Taglioni and Paul Taglioni. Both of their children grew up to become dancers, just like their parents.
Traveling Across Europe
For several years, Filippo's family lived in Vienna and Germany. To stay safe from the dangers of the Napoleonic wars, Filippo moved his family to Paris. He danced and created ballets all over Europe. He worked mostly in Italy, Austria, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany.
Eventually, he was asked to take a more permanent job. This was at the Theater am Kärntnertor in Vienna.
Training His Daughter, Marie
Once Filippo was settled in Vienna, he sent for his daughter Marie. She had been studying ballet in Paris. When Marie arrived, Filippo was not happy with her progress. So, he decided to train her himself.
He made her practice ballet for six hours every day for six months. He used a very strict method to teach her technique. He was very tough and didn't feel sorry for her aching or bleeding toes. He wanted her dancing style to be light and delicate. He focused on jumps with ballon (a bouncy quality) and pointe work (dancing on the tips of the toes). This kind of pointe work was new and unusual at the time. When Marie was ready, he took her back to Paris.
Success with La Sylphide
After Marie's first professional performance, she became incredibly popular. Filippo was able to get a six-year contract for both of them. The ballet La Sylphide had a huge opening night on March 12, 1832. This made Marie the most famous prima ballerina of the Romantic period. It also made Filippo the most well-known choreographer of his time. People say that the great Romantic period of dance began on that night. Because of this huge success, Filippo and Marie traveled widely. They toured both Europe and Russia.
As Filippo got older, he became a bit strange and unpredictable. He ended up losing all the money Marie had earned through bad investments. However, he is still remembered as a pioneer. He created a new ballet style that changed the art form forever.
Filippo Taglioni died in Como, Italy on February 5, 1871. He was 93 years old.
Understanding La Sylphide Versions
Many people who watch ballet today know the Romantic ballet La Sylphide as being created by the Danish ballet master August Bournonville. This is the version that audiences see most often now. However, it was not the first version performed in 1832.
The very first production of La Sylphide was shown by the Paris Opera Ballet in 1832. It was performed at the Salle Le Peletier. Filippo Taglioni himself choreographed this original version. The music was by Jean Madeleine Schneitzhoeffer. The story was written by Adolphe Nourrit. Marie Taglioni and Joseph Mazilier danced the main roles.
Bournonville wanted to put on the 1832 version in Denmark. But the Paris Opéra asked for too much money for the music. So, Bournonville decided to create his own version of La Sylphide. He used the same story but had new music by Herman Severin Løvenskiold. His version first opened in 1836. The amazing young dancer Lucile Grahn and Bournonville danced the main parts. Because the Royal Danish Ballet has a strong tradition, this version is still performed in Denmark today. It has also been performed all over the world.
In 1972, the ballet master Pierre Lacotte brought back Filippo Taglioni's original La Sylphide. He did this for the Paris Opera Ballet. The famous ballerina Ghislaine Thesmar danced the Sylph. Schneitzhoeffer's original music was put back together from a old manuscript. Since Taglioni's original dance steps were lost, Lacotte created new choreography in the style of that time period. The Paris Opera Ballet has released this production on DVD/video twice.
Notable Works by Filippo Taglioni
- 1830: Le dieu et la bayadère
- 1832: La Sylphide
- 1833: La révolte au sérail
- 1836: La fille du Danube
- 1838: La gitana
- 1839: L'ombre
- 1840: Le Lac des fées
- 1841: Aglaë, ou L'Elève de l'amour
- 1852: Satanella oder Metamorphosen (based on The Devil in Love (novel))
See also
In Spanish: Filippo Taglioni para niños
