Fanny Elssler

Fanny Elssler was a famous Austrian ballerina from the Romantic Period.

She was born in Gumpendorf, a part of Vienna, on June 23, 1810. Her father, Johann Florian Elssler, worked for the famous composer Joseph Haydn. Fanny began her dance training at a very young age. She even performed at the Kärntnertortheater in Vienna before she was seven years old. She almost always danced with her sister, Therese, who was two years older. The sisters studied with teachers like Jean-Pierre Aumer and Friedrich Horschelt. They even traveled to Naples, Italy, to learn from Gaetano Gioja.

Fanny was known for a very specific way of moving. While some dancers were famous for light leaps, Fanny was known for character dance. This style used small, quick, and precise steps.

She was also a wonderful actress on the stage. She performed in famous Romantic ballets like La Sylphide, Giselle, and La Esmeralda. One of her most famous roles was the Spanish Cachucha. Even though she was not Spanish, her dance was full of fire. A poet even called her a "pagan" dancer because of her lively style. This was a contrast to Marie Taglioni, who was called a "Christian" dancer.

Her career was full of many big successes and travels. In 1830, she began a series of triumphs in Berlin. Later, she appeared with the Paris Opera Ballet in September 1834. This was a big step because Marie Taglioni was the star there. However, Fanny's quick steps and personality made her a huge success.

She added other national dances to her shows too. These included the Polish Krakowiak and the Italian tarantella. Her fame grew so much that people wanted more dances with different national flavors. She became one of the most notable ballerinas of her time.

In 1840, Fanny and her sister traveled by sea to New York. They stayed there for two years for a big tour. People in America were very excited to see her. In Washington D.C., Congress even closed so people could watch her perform. In New Orleans, she was paid $1,000 for every night she danced.

This was a very large amount of money. Fans even started a craze called "Elsslermania." They bought champagne, bread, and cigars that had her name on them.

Fanny Elssler eventually retired from the stage in 1845. She had earned a large fortune from her many years of work. After she retired, she lived near Hamburg. She lived a long life and died in Vienna on November 27, 1884. Her life has been remembered through films, too. Lya Mara played her in a 1920 silent film. Later, Lilian Harvey played her in a 1937 German film. Her sister, Therese, lived until 1878 and became a Baroness. Fanny remains a very important figure in the history of ballet.