Enrico Cecchetti (1850 - 1928)

Born into a family of dancers in Rome, his mother Serafina, and father, Cesare, toured Europe in the 1840's as dancers. The family toured the United States in 1857/58 with the Ronzani Ballet and by 1866, the talented Enrico made his debut in a ballet choreographed by his father in which he partnered his sister Pia.

He became a sensation as he toured Italy and other countries in Europe. He married Giuseppina De Maria, also a dancer, and they pursued their dance careers while their family grew.

In 1887, as Enrico was reaching his prime, he was invited to teach in the Imperial School in St Petersburg and to dance in ballets at the Maryinsky Theatre. Enrico amazed the Russians with his brilliant technique. His technical ability coupled with an innate theatricality proved his performing artistry at age 40. He created the roles of the Bluebird and Carabosse, which were testimony to his virtuosity and mimetic gifts.

Whilst at the Maryinsky Theatre, he created some choreography, notably refurbishing Coppelia in 1894, but his chief claim to fame lies in his extraordinary gift as a teacher. His pupils included Anna Pavlova, Tamara Karsavina and Vaslav Nijinsky. His intuitive understanding of the dancer's body resulted in what appears to be his first writings, in which he describes his 'method' of ballet training. Later, in 1903, he prepared a book of classes for Pavlova in which he not only provided exercises, but also wrote musical accompaniment.

In 1909, he became the official teacher for Diaghilev's Ballet Russes and created roles with the company, most notably as the Charlatan in Petrushka, and the Astrologer in Coq D'Or. In 1918, he and his wife Giuseppina opened a school in London where his pupils included nearly every famous dancer of the time.

During the run of Diaghilev's Sleeping Princess in London, he celebrated his golden jubilee on the stage by performing the role of Carabosse for one performance, and made his last stage appearance in 1926 as the Charlatan in Petrushka in Milan.

In London, Cyril Beaumont initiated the formation of a Cecchetti Society in 1922 to perpetuate his teaching methods.