Throwback Thursday and Marie Taglioni’s Narrow Escape
The hazards faced by dancers are numerous, even today. But it was even worse many years ago. The gas-jet lighting used back- in-the-day
was probably the biggest threat, and it proved fatal for far too many young
dancers. But there were other problems,
like this one faced by Marie Taglioni (reputed to be the “inventor” of the
pointe shoe).
According to author Dr. L. Véron in Mémories d’un Bourgeouis de Paris, Marie Taglioni was performing in
Robert Le Diable, when she came close
to becoming a statistic. During the Ballet of the Nuns in third act, a cloth
appeared from below and ascended toward the flies, being attached to a beam by
numerous wires. But something went wrong
and suddenly the whole operation came loose and came crashing to the floor. Marie Taglioni, who was stretched out in her “tomb”
had just enough time to resurrect herself and jump to safety.
Another interesting factoid:
Ballet of the Nuns is considered
to be the world's first white ballet.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Dance History Factoid #9:
“Marie Taglioni had a
narrow escape during a performance of Robert Le Diable.”
Link of the Day:
A restaging of the Ballet of the Nuns by a student group:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4k46ittWd0
Quote
of the Day:
“If you don’t know
history, then you don’t know anything.
You are a leaf that doesn’t know it is part of a tree.
Help expand the knowledge base!
Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas,
or images that worked best for you!
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