Fanny Cerrito

Fanny Cerrito, born Francesca Cerrito (11 May 1817-6 May 1909) was an Italian ballet dancer and choreographer. She was a ballerina noted for the brilliance, strength, and vivacity of her dancing. She was also one of few women in the 19th century to be recognized for her talent as a choreographer.

Born in Naples, she studied under Carlo Blasis and the French choreographers Jules Perrot and Arthur Saint-Léon, to the latter of whom she was married from 1845-1851. Fanny Cerrito was trained in the ballet school of San Carlo Opera House, later under the supervision of Salvatore Taglioni. Her first stage appearance was made in 1832 where she gained recognition almost immediately. In 1836-37 her fame started to spread beyond Italy, where she appeared in Vienna to reveal some of her own works of dance. From 1838-1840, she continued to dance with the La Scala ballet in Milan, where she gained even more attention. In 1843 Maria Taglioni and Cerrito danced on the same program in Milan. This event caused so much excitement the city divided itself between the two great ballerinas and rivals. While in Milan Fanny began her collaboration with Jules Perrot, during which they choreographed Ondine (1843) as well as Alma (1842) and Lalla Rookh (1846). Later in 1845, her choreographic talent became recognized after presenting her own ballet Rosida. For nine seasons, from 1840 to 1848, Cerrito became a very well respected dancer at Her Majesty’s Theatre.