Lucile Grahn
Lucile Grahn, with full birth name Lucina Alexia Grahn (* June 30, 1819 in Copenhagen, † April 4, 1907 in Munich) was a Danish dancer and ballet master.
Grahn was considered the most talented Danish ballerina of the 19th century. She debuted in 1829 as a child at the Royal Danish Ballet, choreographer August Bournonville as the took their training, became her mentor and later fell in love with her.
From Grahn is narrated that she was a thin, translucent, almost " ethereal " acting appearance, but possessed of a strong will, which could enforce.
1834 followed at the age of only 15 years, the 14 years old Bournonville to Paris to opera. Your dream to dance there, caused problems between her and Bournonville, who tried to prohibit it. However Grahn dealt him and turned directly to the Danish Princess Wilhelmina, who gave their approval for a guest performance.
After they had danced four months at the Paris Opera, opened up her to represent the possibility of the indisposed Fanny Elssler in the Bournonville choreographed by La Sylphide. The trade visitors were of the opinion Grahn passe in type better for this role than the more " earthy " appearing Fanny Elssler and celebrated it accordingly, making it the jealousy of the older colleague drew upon. This role is considered the biggest success of her career.
When she returned to Denmark, Bournonville made her life hard on. He was dictatorial, cruel and possessive - as she complained. But even against his wishes she reached it, again a royal approval for guest performances, this time to get six appearances in Hamburg. 1839 she left Denmark and Bournonville, and never returned. Your next important engagement was in 1840 in Russia, where she took Marie Taglioni roles. Your guest performance in Saint Petersburg was short- lived, as they met on an equally jealous and intriguing Elena Andreianova.
1844 Grahn spent in Milan and then went to London. In the following two years she had only a few performances. In 1845 she was invited by Jules Perrot, dance at Her Majesty's Theatre in London in his divertissement Pas de Quatre with Marie Taglioni, Carlotta Grisi and Fanny Cerrito, as judged because of the direct encounter between the warring ballerinas particularly event at the ballet friends. For appearance on 12 July 1845, the four rival ballerinas could be moved only with difficulty. According to one anecdote each of the four ballerinas first wanted to come on stage. The dispute could only be settled when the director suggested to let the elders go first.
1848 moved to Hamburg Grahn and enthusiastic about life in Germany, so they bought a house in Munich, where she now lived and taught at the former Munich Court Theatre and choreographed. 1856 she married the British tenor Frederick Young, who suffered an accident a few years later, the tied him for 29 years to a wheelchair.
After 30 years of separation Grahn 1869 Bournonville met again and reconciled with him, even if there was no more love relationship.
She survived her husband by 23 years, but no longer tied. In her will, she bequeathed her entire estate to the needy children of the city of Munich, which named a street next to the Prince Regent Theatre in her honor.