Morlacchi, Guiseppina (1836–1886)
Morlacchi, Guiseppina (1836–1886)
Italian-born ballet dancer. Born Oct 8, 1836, in Lainate, Italy; died July 23, 1886, in Billerica, MA; dau. of Antonio Morlacchi and Maria (Raimondi) Morlacchi; m. John ("Texas Jack") Burwell Omohundro (cowboy, hunter, government scout, and actor), Aug 31, 1873 (died 1880).
Debuted at Carlo Felice Theatre in Genoa, Italy (1856); made 1st American appearance at Banvard's Opera House and Museum in New York City in The Devil's Auction (1867); performed in NY and Boston in such productions as Esmeralda, The Seven Dwarfs, The French Spy, La Bayadère, L'Almèe, and The Nymphs of the Forest; played 1st speaking role (as Dove Eye) in Ned Buntline's successful Western drama The Scouts of the Prairie in Chicago (1872); introduced US audiences to her trademark dance, the French cancan.
See also Herschel C. Logan, Buckskin and Satin (1954).