Léon Espinosa (1825–1904) was a Dutch-Spanish ballet dancer. He became the first in a long line of dancers and dance teachers, making the name Espinosa "recognised worldwide as one of the most important influences in the development of dance and training of dancers."

Early life

Espinosa’s early interest in dance was encouraged by a succession of outstanding teachers including

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, and

Jules Perrot Jules-Joseph Perrot (18 August 181029 August 1892) was a French dancer and choreographer who later became Ballet Master of the Imperial Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia. He created some of the most famous ballets of the 19th century including ' ...

during his time at the

Paris Opéra Ballet The Paris Opera Ballet () is a French ballet company that is an integral part of the Paris Opera. It is the oldest national ballet company, and many European and international ballet companies can trace their origins to it. It is still regarded a ...

Personal life

In 1825, Espinosa was born in

The Hague The Hague ( ) is the capital city of the South Holland province of the Netherlands. With a population of over half a million, it is the third-largest city in the Netherlands. Situated on the west coast facing the North Sea, The Hague is the c ...

Holland Holland is a geographical regionG. Geerts & H. Heestermans, 1981, ''Groot Woordenboek der Nederlandse Taal. Deel I'', Van Dale Lexicografie, Utrecht, p 1105 and former provinces of the Netherlands, province on the western coast of the Netherland ...

to Spanish Jewish parents. Espinosa married and had six children (

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, Marius, Leo, Judith, Ray, and Lea), all of whom became dancers and dance teachers. Eduard married Eve Louise Kelland, with whom he had two children: Edward Kelland-Espinosa and Yvette Espinosa. Eduard became a Maître de Ballet for the

Royal Opera House The Royal Opera House (ROH) is a theatre in Covent Garden, central London. The building is often referred to as simply Covent Garden, after a previous use of the site. The ROH is the main home of The Royal Opera, The Royal Ballet, and the Orch ...

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, Empire Theatre, and

Alhambra Theatre The Alhambra Theatre was a popular theatre and music hall located on the east side of Leicester Square, in the West End of London. It was built as the Royal Panopticon of Science and Arts, opening on 18 March 1854. It was closed after two yea ...

. He also established the Association for Operatic Dancing (later the

Royal Academy of Dance The Royal Academy of Dance (RAD) is a UK-based examination board specialising in dance education and training, with an emphasis on classical ballet. The RAD was founded in London, England in 1920 as the Association of Teachers of Operatic Danci ...

), as well as the British Ballet Organization. Judith "performed as prima ballerina at Alhambra Theater, London, under Carlo Coppi." Both Judith and Lea ran ballet schools in London and overseas. They also served as major examiners for the

. Espinosa died in 1904.

Career

Espinosa trained at the

Paris Opera Ballet The Paris Opera Ballet () is a French ballet company that is an integral part of the Paris Opera. It is the oldest national ballet company, and many European and international ballet companies can trace their origins to it. It is still regarded a ...

school and danced at the Théâtre de la Porte-Saint-Martin. After touring the United States, he joined the

Bolshoi Ballet The Bolshoi Ballet is an internationally renowned classical ballet company based at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Russia. Founded in 1776, the Bolshoi is among the world's oldest Ballet company, ballet companies. In the early 20th century, it ca ...

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as premier danseur de contrast and worked with

Marius Petipa Marius Ivanovich Petipa (; born Victor Marius Alphonse Petipa; 11 March 1818) was a French and Russian ballet dancer, pedagogue and choreographer. He is considered one of the most influential ballet masters and choreographers in ballet history ...

. While in Russia, he also danced with the Imperial Maryinsky Theatre. In 1872, Espinosa moved to London where he continued to dance and eventually opened a dance school.

Bibliography

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References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Espinosa, Leon 1825 births Dutch male ballet dancers Dutch people of Spanish descent Entertainers from The Hague 19th-century Dutch ballet dancers 1904 deaths