Throwback Thursday and Fanny Cerrito
Born Francesca Cerrito in Italy in 1817, Fanny Cerrito is probably
best known today for her role in Pas de
Quatre. She was a contemporary of Marie Taglioni and they performed
together on more than one occasion.
As a student, Cerrito was described as “short
and plump”, and was said to show little natural talent. However, she worked
diligently on her technique and by age 15 became a soloist. Cerrito studied further
with Carlo Blasis, and under his tutelage her technique and performing ability
improved even more.
She made her debut at the Teatro San Carlo in 1832, and by
1838 she was the prima ballerina at La Scala. In 1843 Queen Victoria requested
that Cerrito and Taglioni perform a pas de deux together, and despite being rivals, their
performance was described as extraordinary. The same year, in Milan, Cerrito
began collaborating with Jules Perrot, and the result was the ballet Ondine.
Cerrito married Arthur Saint-Leon and they formed a
professional partnership as well, touring Europe for six years. Unfortunately,
their union was a volatile one, and they parted ways in 1851. Cerrito and the Marqués de Bedmar (a Spanish
nobleman), had a daughter, Mathilde.
In 1857, after a less-than-successful tour in St.
Petersburg, Cerrito returned to England and gave her farewell performance. She then
retired to live her life and raise her daughter out of the limelight.
Cerrito died on May 6, 1909 at the age of 92.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Dance History Factoid #108:
“Fanny Cerrito is best known for her role in Pas de Quatre.”
Link of the Day:
Quote
of the Day:
“You
may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be
necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can
rise from, how you can still come out of it.”
― Maya Angelou
― Maya Angelou
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