Ballet Dancer, Choreographer. The most influential Danish choreographer of the 19th century, he was the son of Antoine Bournonville, and studied at the Royal Danish Ballet School, a pupil of his father and also of Vincenzo Galeotti. He joined the company when he was 15 and stayed from 1820 to 1823. The following year, still on salary in Copenhagen, he went to Paris to study with Vestris and joined the Paris Opera, becoming Taglioni's favorite partner. He returned to the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen in 1829 as a guest artist but the following year he not only became a full member of the company but its director also. He was their leading male soloist and chief choreographer. Among the ballets he choreographed is the famous 'La Sylphide' (1836), 'Napoli' (1842) and 'Flowe Festival in Genzano' (1858) and many others. He performed with the Royal Danish Ballet until 1848. Apart from having a year in Vienna Court Opera from 1855 to 1856 he and three years at Stockholm from 1861 to 1864, he spent the rest of his career in Copenhagen and succeeded in making the Royal Danish Ballet into one of the world's top companies. Many if not all his works are still performed today.
Ballet Dancer, Choreographer. The most influential Danish choreographer of the 19th century, he was the son of Antoine Bournonville, and studied at the Royal Danish Ballet School, a pupil of his father and also of Vincenzo Galeotti. He joined the company when he was 15 and stayed from 1820 to 1823. The following year, still on salary in Copenhagen, he went to Paris to study with Vestris and joined the Paris Opera, becoming Taglioni's favorite partner. He returned to the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen in 1829 as a guest artist but the following year he not only became a full member of the company but its director also. He was their leading male soloist and chief choreographer. Among the ballets he choreographed is the famous 'La Sylphide' (1836), 'Napoli' (1842) and 'Flowe Festival in Genzano' (1858) and many others. He performed with the Royal Danish Ballet until 1848. Apart from having a year in Vienna Court Opera from 1855 to 1856 he and three years at Stockholm from 1861 to 1864, he spent the rest of his career in Copenhagen and succeeded in making the Royal Danish Ballet into one of the world's top companies. Many if not all his works are still performed today.
Bio by: Medora
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