Sophie Daguin facts for kids

Sophie Marguerite Daguin (born March 26, 1801 – died March 13, 1881) was a talented French ballet dancer and choreographer. She spent most of her life working in Sweden. There, she became a very famous ballerina and the main teacher (called a ballet mistress) for the Royal Swedish Ballet. She also led their ballet school.

Early Life and Training

Sophie Daguin was born in Paris, France. She trained for six years under a famous teacher named Charles Didelot in her hometown. In 1815, she joined the Ballet of the Royal Swedish Opera in Stockholm. She made a very successful first performance in a ballet called La fille mal gardée, created by Jean Dauberval.

A Star Ballerina

Sophie Daguin quickly became a top dancer. From 1820 to 1843, she was a "premier dancer," which means a leading performer. She also held important roles behind the scenes. From 1827 to 1830, she was a ballet master for the Royal Swedish Ballet. This meant she helped train dancers and organize performances.

In 1827, she became the first woman to be a ballet master for the Royal Ballet. She shared this job with Per Erik Wallqvist. Later, in 1830, she became the principal (leader) of the ballet school, a position she held until 1856. She also performed as a pantomime dancer from 1843 to 1856.

Sophie Daguin taught many students, including future dancers like Charlotta Norberg and Thérèse Elfforss.

Leading Dancer in Sweden

Until she was in her forties, Sophie Daguin was seen as one of the best dancers in Stockholm. People often called her the "primadonna" (the most important female singer or dancer) of the Royal Swedish Ballet in the 1830s. Other famous dancers at that time included Adolfina Fägerstedt, Carolina Granberg, and Charlotta Alm.

Sophie Daguin was known for how well she acted out her roles in ballets. She also created her own ballets, like Max och Emma (Max and Emma) in 1842. In her own works, she brought new ideas and traditions from Paris to Sweden.

Notable Performances

Sophie Daguin performed in many famous ballets and operas. Some of her main roles included:

• The lead part in the ballet Jenny or Engelska inbrottet i Skottland (The English burglary in Scotland).
• Roles in the operas Den lilla slavinnan (The Little Slave) and Fra Diavolo.
• Performances in Dansvurmen (The Dance Craze) by Anders Selinder.
• A role in Hemkosten (The Return) by Bournonville.
• A part in Le Lac des fées by Filippo Taglioni.
• The abbess in the famous convent scene in the opera Robert av Normandie.

In 1836, she even studied the role of Fenella in Den stumma från Portici by Daniel Auber. She did this to help Johanne Luise Heiberg in Copenhagen prepare for the part.