Russian Debut

Abstract This chapter begins with Petipa’s arrival in St Petersburg and his first roles and productions there. It examines the structures of the Imperial Ballet and the directorate of the Imperial Theatres, especially the incumbent director Alexander Gedeonov. It describes the influence of the visits of Marie Taglioni, icon of the Romantic Ballet, and sketches the career of St Petersburg’s own ballerina, Elena Andreianova, who was often partnered by Petipa. It covers the appointment of Jules Perrot, choreographer of Giselle, as first ballet master, and of Jean Petipa, Marius’s father, as a teacher at the school. The arrivals of the celebrity ballerinas Fanny Elssler, Carlotta Grisi, and Fanny Cerrito are also covered, as is the effect of the Crimean War. There is also a lengthy section focusing on the subject of Petipa as a performer, outstanding in character (national) dance and mime.