Bonfanti, Marietta (1845–1921)

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Bonfanti, Marietta (1845–1921)

Italian ballerina. Name variations: Maria and Marie. Born Feb 16, 1845, in Milan, Italy; died in New York, NY, Jan 25, 1921; studied with Carlo Blasis, and at the ballet school of Teatro all Scala, Milan; m. George Hoffmann (American businessman).

Made debut in Roberto, il Diavolo, then danced at Teatro alla Scala for 2 seasons; made US debut in The Black Crook, often called the 1st musical comedy, at Niblo's Garden, NY (1866); went on tour throughout US (1869–71); was prima ballerina of Milan Italian Grand Opera (1884) and Metropolitan Opera in NY (1885–86); following several US-European tours (1888–94), opened a ballet school in NY, where she taught until 1916 (Ruth St. Denis was one of her pupils).

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