Letters and manuscripts of Fanny Elssler, Marie and Paul Taglioni, and others
Overview
Letters and manuscripts concerning ballet in the 19th century, especially letters from Marie Taglioni, Fanny Elssler, and Paul Taglioni.
Dates
- Creation: 1831-1882 and undated
Language of Materials
Collection materials are in French, German, and English.
Conditions Governing Access
There are no restrictions on physical access.
Extent
.3 linear feet (1 box)Primarily letters from Fanny Elssler, Marie Taglioni, and Paul Taglioni to various others concerning family, social, and professional topics, especially the ballet. Also includes: photomechanical clipping image of Fanny Elssler; postcard portrait of Marie Taglioni; letters from others concerning the Taglioni family; autobiographical manuscript note by Louis Jacques Jessé Milon; a manuscript poem, "Ihr," by Graf Anton Prokesch von Osten for Friedrich von Gentz to present to Fanny Elssler; and other manuscripts.
Biographical / Historical
Fanny Elssler (1810-1884) was Viennese dancer, one of the most celebrated ballerinas of the 19th century. She introduced the polka to the United States during her tour in 1840-1842.
Marie Taglioni (1804-1884) was an Italian dancer, born in Stockholm, daughter of choreographer Filippo Taglioni, and sister of dancer and choreographer Paul Taglioni. She became one of the legendary Romantic ballerinas of the 19th century.
Paul Taglioni (1808-1884) was a German dancer and ballet master, born in Vienna, the son of choreographer Filippo Taglioni, and the brother of ballerina Marie Taglioni. For a time he danced with his sister Marie, then served as ballet master to leading opera houses in Vienna, London, Naples, and Milan. In 1856 he became ballet master of the Berlin Court Opera, and remained in Berlin until his death in 1884.
Arrangement
Arranged into the following two series:
- I. Correspondence
- ___A. Fanny Elssler letters
- ___B. Marie Taglioni letters
- ___C. Paul Taglioni letters
- ___D. Other letters concerning the Taglioni family
- II. Manuscripts
Physical Location
b
Immediate Source of Acquisition
2006TW-138. Deposit of John Milton and Ruth Neils Ward; received by Department of Printed Books: 2006 October 3. Transferred to Manuscripts 2006 December 8.
Provenance:
From the collection of John Milton Ward. John Milton Ward was the Harvard University William Powell Professor of Music, Emeritus, and Honorary Curator of Dance and Music for the Theatre in the Harvard College Library.
Processing Information
Processed by: Bonnie B. Salt, with the assistance of Morris Levy and Irina Klyagin.
Translations and transcriptions of these letters and manuscripts were received with this collection. This material was collated by item number, then removed to the curatorial file.
- Title
- Letters and manuscripts of Fanny Elssler, Marie and Paul Taglioni, and others, 1831-1882: Guide.
- Author
- Houghton Library, Harvard College Library
- Description rules
- dacs
- Language of description
- und
- EAD ID
- hou01941
Repository Details
Part of the Houghton Library Repository
Houghton Library is Harvard College's principal repository for rare books and manuscripts, archives, and more. Houghton Library's collections represent the scope of human experience from ancient Egypt to twenty-first century Cambridge. With strengths primarily in North American and European history, literature, and culture, collections range in media from printed books and handwritten manuscripts to maps, drawings and paintings, prints, posters, photographs, film and audio recordings, and digital media, as well as costumes, theater props, and a wide range of other objects. Houghton Library has historically focused on collecting the written record of European and Eurocentric North American culture, yet it holds a large and diverse number of primary sources valuable for research on the languages, culture and history of indigenous peoples of the Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania.
Houghton Library’s Reading Room is free and open to all who wish to use the library’s collections.
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