Baccelli, Giovanna (c. 1753–1801)

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Baccelli, Giovanna (c. 1753–1801)

Italian ballerina. Born Giovanna Zanerini in Venice in 1753; died in London, England, May 7, 1801.

At 21, made London debut at King's Theatre, Haymarket, as Rose in Jean Lany's Le Ballet des Fleurs (1774); remaining at King's Theatre (1772–83), was featured in La Polonaise favorite (1772), Les Amans surpris (1780), Médée et Jason (1781), Les Amans réunis (1782) and Les Petites Reins (1781); made Paris Opéra debut (1782); was the mistress of the 3rd duke of Dorset for 15 years, then of the earl of Pembroke; during career, danced with Gaetan Vestris and Charles Le Picq; had portrait rendered by Sir Joshua Reynolds and Thomas Gainsborough.

See also Women in World History.