Ballet Dancer. He was a late 18th century French male ballet dancer or "danseur." The leading male dancer of the era, he was the illegitimate son of Gaetano Vestris, a dancer of the nobles, and the dancer Marie Allard. Born Marie-Jean-Augustin Vestris, his critics called him Vestr'Allard. He studied dance with his father. His debut was in the divertissement "La Cinquantaine" in 1772, at the age of 12. Four years later, he was appointed a soloist at the Paris Opera. He and his father appeared together in London at the King's theater. With his short physique and athletic techniques of perfectly jumping and spinning, his style became much different from his father's. He was also one of the leading teachers of the day, counting among his pupils Didelot, Perrot, Elssler, and August Bournonville, the Danish dancer. Although he retired in 1816, he performed a minuet at the Paris Opera in 1835, when he was age 75, with Marie Taglioni, his student. For the King's Theater in London, he choreographed several undistinguished ballets. Although he married twice, both his sons were illegitimate and continue in the dance world as dancers and choreographers.
Ballet Dancer. He was a late 18th century French male ballet dancer or "danseur." The leading male dancer of the era, he was the illegitimate son of Gaetano Vestris, a dancer of the nobles, and the dancer Marie Allard. Born Marie-Jean-Augustin Vestris, his critics called him Vestr'Allard. He studied dance with his father. His debut was in the divertissement "La Cinquantaine" in 1772, at the age of 12. Four years later, he was appointed a soloist at the Paris Opera. He and his father appeared together in London at the King's theater. With his short physique and athletic techniques of perfectly jumping and spinning, his style became much different from his father's. He was also one of the leading teachers of the day, counting among his pupils Didelot, Perrot, Elssler, and August Bournonville, the Danish dancer. Although he retired in 1816, he performed a minuet at the Paris Opera in 1835, when he was age 75, with Marie Taglioni, his student. For the King's Theater in London, he choreographed several undistinguished ballets. Although he married twice, both his sons were illegitimate and continue in the dance world as dancers and choreographers.
Bio by: Linda Davis
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