Lucien Petipa facts for kids
Joseph Lucien Petipa (born December 22, 1815 – died July 7, 1898) was a famous French ballet dancer and choreographer. A choreographer is someone who creates dance routines for ballets. Lucien was born in Marseille, France. His father, Jean Petipa, was also a well-known choreographer and dancer. Lucien was the older brother of Marius Petipa, who became a very important Ballet Master for the Russian Imperial Ballet.
Early Career and Famous Performances
Lucien Petipa started his career in Paris on June 10, 1840. His first big performance was in a ballet called La Sylphide. He danced alongside the famous ballerina Fanny Elssler.
He became known for his strong partnerships with leading ballerinas. He often danced with Carlotta Grisi, another very famous dancer of his time. Together, they performed in many important ballets during the 1840s. These included the very first performances of Giselle and Paquita, which are still loved ballets today.
Becoming a Choreographer
Besides dancing, Lucien Petipa also created his own ballets. His first full-length ballet was called Sacountala, which he choreographed in 1858. He created a few other ballets, but he spent most of his time helping other dancers improve their skills.
From 1860 to 1868, he held an important position as the Ballet Master at the Paris Opéra Ballet. A Ballet Master is in charge of training dancers and overseeing performances. Later, he became a Professor of Mime at the Conservatory. Mime is a type of acting where you tell a story using only body movements, without words.
In 1882, Lucien Petipa created his most popular and successful ballet, Namouna. He passed away in Versailles, France.
Images for kids
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Portrait by Louise Adélaïde Desnos, 1849
See also
In Spanish: Lucien Petipa para niños
