A little Ballet History

Pas de Quatre was a show piece created in 1854 by Jules Perrot  for four of the greatest ballerinas of the time in an era where ballerinas were regarded more as a rock star or NFL Quarterback might be today.  Epitomizing the delicate grace of the Romantic Ballets, the four ballerinas were Lucille Grahn, Carlotta Grisi, Fanny Cerrito, and Maria Taglioni.  They appeared together in this ballet for only four performances in London, July of that year.

Lucille Grahn as the youngest was the first to perform.  She was a student of August Bournonville, and known for her energetic leaps.

Carlotta Grisi performed the second variation.  She was an Italian ballerina, who became famous as the original Giselle.

Fanny Cerrito, also Italian, was married to French choreographer Saint Leon and principle ballerina of the Paris Opera.

Marie Taglioni became famous when her father the great Fillipo Taglioni created the ballet La Sylphide for her.  She is often credited for helping to create the pointe shoe.  She was given the place of honor by performing the fourth variation.  The whole question of order was settled by suggesting that the ballerinas perform in order of age: youngest to oldest.  (Taglioni ws 40 years old at the time of the performance.)

We will celebrate this beautiful ballet era by incorporating two of these famous variations into our Beatrix Potter performance. 

Part one

Part two

Part three

Part four

 

Third Variation to Study for the Butterfly

Second Variation to Study for the Lady Bug