Brianza, Carlotta (1862–1930)

views updated

Brianza, Carlotta (1862–1930)

Italian ballerina. Born in Milan, Italy, 1862; died 1930 in Paris, France, possibly a suicide; studied with Carlo Blasis; godmother of Sonia Woizikowska (dancer and teacher).

Known as the 1st Aurora, made debut at Arcadia Theater, St. Petersburg (1887), and was subsequently engaged as a guest artist at Maryinsky Theater (later known as the Kirov), where she 1st appeared in Lev Ivanov's Haarlem Tulip; performed frequently at Teatro alla Scala, notably in La Maladetta (1875); at the Maryinsky, created role of Princess Aurora in the Petipa Tchaikovsky Sleeping Beauty (1890); after leaving Russia (1891), danced and taught in Italy and Paris; made final appearance, as the wicked fairy in Diaghilev'sLondonproductionof Sleeping Beauty, then called The Sleeping Princess (1921).

See also Women in World History.