Minkus, Ludwig

(actually Aloisius Ludwig Minkus; also Leon Minkus). Born Mar. 23, 1826, in Vienna; died there 1907. Violinist and composer. Of Czech descent (of Polish descent according to some sources).

Minkus lived in Russia from the early 1850’s to the late 1880’s. From 1853 to 1855 he served as conductor of N. B. lusupov’s serf orchestra in St. Petersburg. Between 1861 and 1872 he was a soloist with the orchestra of the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow. From 1866 to 1872 he taught at the Moscow Conservatory, and from 1872 to 1886 he worked as a composer of ballet music for the Theater Management in St. Petersburg. Beginning in 1890 he lived in Vienna.

Minkus’ first success was the ballet La Source (1866), composed jointly with L. Delibes. In 1869 the Moscow Bolshoi Theater staged Minkus’ ballet Don Quixote, which is still performed. The choreography and scenario were by M. I. Petipa, for whom Minkus in subsequent years composed 16 ballets. Minkus’ music is melodious and noted for its precise dance rhythms. Among his other ballets are Paquita (1846, with E. Deldevez), La Fiammetta (1874), La Bayadére (1877), and Daughter of the Snows (1879). He also composed for violin.