Elssler, Thérèse (1808–1878)

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Elssler, Thérèse (1808–1878)

Austro-Hungarian ballet dancer. Name variations: Theresa Elssler. Born April 5, 1808, in Vienna, Austria; died Nov 19, 1878, in Merano, Italy; father was a professional musician and copyist; older sister of Fanny Elssler (1810–1884, ballet dancer).

Trained with Friedrich Horschelt and later Jean Aumer, ballet master at Kärnthner-Thor Theater in Vienna; made professional debut at Theater an der Wein in Vienna (1818); appeared frequently in performance with sister Fanny—either as Elssler Sisters or Fanny and Theresa—with whom she danced en travestie; performed at numerous venues across Europe, including King's Theatre in London, Paris Opéra in France, and theaters in Berlin, Germany; choreographed numerous pas de deux for herself and Fanny as well as full-length ballets; was one of the few female choreographers of Romantic period ballets. Choreography includes Die Maskerade (1834), Pas Styrien (1834), La Volière (1838), Pas de Châle (1840), El Zapateado (1840) and La Smolenska (1840).