Fanny Elssler

(real first name, Franziska). Born June 23, 1810, in Vienna; died there Nov. 27, 1884. Austrian ballerina; one of the most outstanding dancers of the romantic ballet.

Elssler studied under J. Aumer and perfected her technique in Italy. She first appeared on the stage in 1822, and her career eventually took her to Vienna and Berlin (1827-32), London (1833), Paris (1834-40), the United States (1840-41), and Moscow and St. Petersburg (1848-50).

Elssler’s roles included Florinda in Le Diable boiteux and Lauretta in La Tarentule, both to music by Gide. She won worldwide fame for her performance of the interpolated dance “La Cachucha” in Le Diable boiteux. She also excelled as Lise in Hérold’s La Fille mal gardée and in the title role in Pugni’s La Esmeralda.