An Unpublished Page of Choreographer Filippo Taglioni’s Biography: Based on Materials from the Russian State Historical Archive

Abstract

The distinguished master of romantic ballet, dancer-choreographer and pedagogue
Filippo Taglioni travelled across almost all of Europe without stopping anywhere for long: he
preferred short-term contracts to multi-year responsibilities. His longest, a five-year contract,
was concluded with the Russian Directorate of Imperial theatres and lasted from 1837 through
1842. However, there exists the assumption that Filippo Taglioni may have arrived in Russia 20
years prior, in 1817, as unpublished documents found in the Russian State Historical Archive
have revealed. In her article. The author of the article discusses the complex bureaucratic
mechanism for inviting foreigners to Russia, describing the situation of the 1816–1817 season
when, experience a deficit of soloists in the ballet troupe, the theatre’s directorship invited
dancers from abroad to the St. Petersburg ballet company. The choice fell upon the premieres
danseurs from the Paris Opera Ballet, Albert and Emilia Bigottini, but the artists, after having
confirmed their consent, were thereafter unable to come to Russia. The search continued, and
the Chief Director of the Imperial Theatres, Prince Naryshkin, noticed the dancer Taglioni,
whom he recommended be invited to St. Petersburg. However, in the message, the director did
not specify which Taglioni he was referring to: the 28-year-old Salvatore or the 40-year-old
Filippo. The author of the article unravels the mystery and demonstrates that it was Filippo
who was invited to Russia in 1817. However, this engagement did not take place. The author
attempts to discover the reasons why Filippo Taglioni did not come to Russia during the reign
of Alexander I.

Keywords: romantic ballet, St. Petersburg ballet company, Filippo Taglioni, Salvatore Taglioni