CARLOTTA GRISI: BALLET DANCER TOURS IN SAINT PETERSBURG (1850–1853)

Abstract

The article is dedicated to the performances of outstanding romantic ballerina Carlotta Grisi in Saint Petersburg. There is no detailed research about her tours in Russian capital yet. Carlotta Grisi arrived at Saint Petersburg in blooming talent, at the age of 31. In three years of performing in Petersburg Grand theatre she performed 12 ballets, 7 of which were premieres. In Petersburg she acted in ballets that were composed for her in Europe (Giselle, La Esmeralda, The War of Women, La Filleule des fées), so that Russian spectators saw the frst performer of famous romantic ballets in her best parts. She enlarged her repertoire by performing main parties of the ballets The Naiad and the Fisherman, Catherine, daughter of robber. Three years in Russia gave Grisi new parts: she became the frst performer of world premieres of the ballets The war of women and Bouquet de Gaselda. Petersburg turned out to be the city of her last triumph. To create this paper such archive materials as work cases, correspondence of clerks of Imperial theatres’ administration, contracts kept in Russian state historical archive were used, the materials of Russian periodical press of the XIX century and ballets’ librettos are updated.