3 replies to this topic

[rg]

the scan below shows front and back views of an undated and unidentified (except for the sitter's name) portrait of Carlotta Brianza.
the photo was presumably taken in St. Petersburg where in addition to creating the role of Aurora in Petipa's SLEEPING BEAUTY, the Milanese ballerina danced the leading roles of THE TULIP OF HAARLEM, ESMERALDA and KALKABRINO.

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[Natalia]

Thanks, RG. Now I realize a primary reason why Milan, out of all ballet companies on this earth, has taken such interest in staging Petipa's original Raymonda later this year. The first Raymonda was Milan's own Carlotta Brianza. Come next October, the 'favor' will be returned, with a Mariinsky ballerina, Olesya Novikova, traveling to Milan to open the revival. Full circle.

[rg]

the first ballerina to dance the title role of Raymonda in Petipa's 1898 ballet was Italian, but not Brianza; it was Legnani.
the IED says Brianza left Russia in 1891, the year after THE SLEEPING BEAUTY.
also acc'd to the IED, a fact hadn't realized before: there isn't much known about Briana's last years - after being brought back to the stage by Diaghilev for his 1921 prodution of THE SLEEPING PRINCESS - but she is said to have died a suicide in Paris between 1930 and '35.

[Natalia]

You're so right, RG. Sorry about that. Of course...DUH!!!!

I guess I've had too much Raymonda on my mind lately. October can't come quickly enough.