Throwback Thursday and Avdotia Istomina
A name that is little known in ballet history is that of Avdotia
Istomina. She was the first Russian ballerina of the Romantic Period, and was
trained by the famous Charles Didelot. She became his favorite dancer and his
muse. He taught her his most progressive techniques, and together they helped
reform Russian ballet.
Istomina was born in 1799, and the identities her parents remains a mystery. She entered the
Ballet Academy at age 6, most likely sent there to be cared for, since she was “delivered”
to the school by a flutist in the Army. She was probably an orphan.
She became an accomplished, beautiful dancer, and in 1816
was described thus:
“She
was of medium build, brunette, with beautiful appearance and was very
well-shaped. She had black, fiery eyes veiled by long eye-lashes which gave a
very special character to her physiognomy. She had great strength in her feet,
aplomb on the stage, and together with that, grace, lightness and speed in
movements; her pirouettes and her elevation were astounding...”
She was also described as posing on the tip of her toe –
this may predate Taglioni who is credited with inventing pointe work.
Istomina stopped dancing in
1836, and worked as an actress. She died of cholera on June 26, 1848 in St.
Petersburg. Her tombstone makes no reference to her dance career or significance
to ballet history. It reads simply: Avdotya
Ilyinchna Ekunina, a retired actress.
From
the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Dance History Factoid #110:
“Avdotia Istomina was the first Russian ballerina of the
Romantic Period.”
Link of the Day:
Quote
of the Day:
“One lives in the hope of becoming a
memory.”
― Antonio Porchia
― Antonio Porchia
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