Fanny Elssler

Lore & Background

Fanny Elssler was born in Gumpendorf, a neighborhood of Vienna. Her father Johann Florian Elssler was a second generation employee of Nikolaus I, Prince Esterházy, and served as valet to Joseph Haydn, attending him up to and present at Haydn's death. From her earliest years she was trained for the ballet, making her appearance at the Kärntnertortheater in Vienna before she was seven. She almost invariably danced with her sister Therese, who was two years her senior; the sisters studied dancing with Jean-Pierre Aumer and Friedrich Horschelt beginning when Elssler was nine, and later traveled to Naples to study with Gaetano Gioja.

After some years in Vienna, the sisters went to Naples in 1827. While there, Elssler had an affair with Leopold, Prince of Salerno, son of King Ferdinand I of the Two Sicilies, which resulted in the birth of a son, Franz. Their success in Naples led to an engagement in Berlin in 1830. In September 1834, Elssler appeared with the Ballet du Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique (Paris Opera Ballet), where her personal fascination temporarily eclipsed Taglioni. Her performance of the Cachucha was filled with fire and sensual life, leading poet Théophile Gautier to call her the 'pagan' dancer, juxtaposed with Taglioni as the 'Christian' dancer.

In 1840, Elssler and her sister traveled to New York for a tour arranged by Henry Wikoff. While in New York City, she dined with and was escorted by John Van Buren, son of President Martin Van Buren. In Washington D.C., Congress closed so that no one need miss her performance. She is considered by Lillian Moore to have been 'the most illustrious Sylphide ever to dance the role in America.' Fans experienced 'Elsslermania,' buying Elssler brand champagne, bread, cigars and many other products. In 1845, she declined an invitation to perform with her rivals Marie Taglioni, Carlotta Grisi and Fanny Cerrito in Jules Perrot's Pas de Quatre in London. Having amassed a fortune, she retired from the stage and settled near Hamburg.

Reader's Guide

Fanny Elssler's significance lies in her contrast with Marie Taglioni, the dominant ballerina of the Romantic era. While Taglioni was known for lightness and ethereal leaps (danseur ballonné), Elssler excelled in precise, quick steps (danse tacquetée) and dramatic expression. Her performance of the Spanish Cachucha in Le Diable boiteux became iconic, leading to a widespread demand for choreographed national dances in ballet. She added a Polish cracovienne and an Italian tarantella to her repertoire. Her image was often identified with pink satin and black lace as the sensuous Spanish dancer, in contrast to Taglioni's modest sylph in white. Elssler also performed major Romantic ballets including La Sylphide, Giselle and La Esmeralda, portraying heightened aspects of their characters. Her American tour in 1840 sparked 'Elsslermania,' with fans buying branded products and Congress closing for her performance. She is considered one of the most talented and notable ballerinas of the Romantic ballet period. Her legacy includes influencing the popularity of character dances and demonstrating that dramatic and technical skill could rival the ethereal style of her contemporaries.

Did You Know?

• Fanny Elssler's father Johann was valet to Joseph Haydn and was present at Haydn's death.
• She had an affair with Leopold, Prince of Salerno, which resulted in the birth of a son named Franz.
• In Washington D.C., Congress closed so that no one need miss Elssler's performance.
• She declined an invitation to perform in Jules Perrot's Pas de Quatre in London in 1845.