Fanny Cerrito

Fanny (actually: Francesca ) Cerrito ( born May 11, 1817 in Naples, † May 6, 1909 in Paris) was an Italian ballet dancer and choreographer. She studied at the Italian dancer, choreographer and educator Carlo Blasis in the French Jules Perrot and later with the choreographers, violinist, dancer and dance theorist Arthur Saint- Léon, whose partner she was later a long time. From 1845 to 1851 she was married to Saint -Leon.

Cerrito debuted in 1832 in Naples and achieved international recognition as a dancer in London already in 1840 until 1848. She was known for her brilliant technique, strength and speed. In London she was romantically involved for a time with the famous chef Alexis Soyer. The connection between the two failed, ultimately, on the opposition of her parents, who saw the career-enhancing relationship in marriage to Saint- Léon.

Fanny Cerrito danced for the first time with Arthur Saint- Léon in Vienna as his partner. After that, they were together in London, where she also privately a couple were. She traveled with Arthur Saint- Léon to Rome, Florence, Parma, and back to London, where Saint- Léon " La Vivandière " (1843 ) choreographed. For this ballet, there is a complete record of the "Pas de six " in Saint- Léon Sténochorégraphie. Thus, the exact transcript of a dance of Cerrito exist. The success of this ballet led her to a tours in England and Italy. On April 17, 1845 married in the Eglise des Batignolles in Paris.

Cerrito was also choreographed works. 1842 Fanny Cerrito created together with André Deshayes the ballet " Alma, ou La Fille de feu ". 1847 brought Saint- Léon this ballet then under the title " La Fille de Marbre " again on the stage. Among her famous roles include the Ondine in the eponymous ballet by Jules Perrot, and participation in the famous "Pas de Quatre " (1845 ), for a London theater manager, the four most famous prima ballerinas of his time ( Fanny Cerrito, Marie Taglioni, Carlotta Grisi and Lucile Grahn ) united to form a common dance. This "Pas de Quatre " was at " Her Majesty's Theatre " premiered and choreographed by Jules Perrot.

1851 Cerrito and Saint- Léon divorced and went their separate ways professionally.

1854 Fanny Cerrito danced in Paris in the choreographed her ballet " Gemma ". In 1857 she retired from the stage. The rest of her life she spent in Paris. There she also drew on her illegitimate daughter Matilda, who sprang from her well-known affair with the Spanish diplomat Marquis de Bedmar. Even in retirement she remained at ballet so interesting and also witnessed the emergence of the Russian Ballet. It applies together with Marie Taglioni of the few women who could do in the 19th century as a choreographer a name.