(La) Esmeralda Giselle |
Jules Perrot was born in France in
1810. He studied with Auguste
Vestris and Salvatore Vigano, two of
the principal exponents of expressive
ballet (as opposed to pure or formal
ballet). He made his debut in 1830
at the Paris Opera, where, despite the
period's prejudice against male
dancers, he was highly applauded for
both his classical and his mime
dancing. A combination of knee
trouble and the professional jealousy
of his partner Marie Taglioni led to
his resignation in 1835. He then
toured Europe as a dancer and
choreographer and in Naples was
joined by the young ballerina
Carlotta Grisi, whom he trained and
later married. Perrot again danced in
Paris in 1840, but only Grisi was
hired to perform at the Opera. Since
he frequently arranged her solos, his
choreography is now believed to
include that of her title role in
Giselle, still considered a
consummate challenge to a
ballerina's artistry; Jean Coralli,
however, received all official credit
for choreographing
Giselle.
From 1842 to 1848 Perrot worked in
London, making it an important
ballet centre by choreographing such
ballets as Ondine, Esmeralda,
and the Pas de Quatre,
staged for Marie Taglioni, Carlotta
Grisi, Lucile Grahn, and Fanny
Cerrito. In 1848 Perrot became
premier danseur at the Imperial
Theatre in St. Petersburg, where he
created eight more ballets and
revived many
others.
Perrot died in France on August 24,
1892. |
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