Cerrito, Fanny

orig. Francesca Teresa Giuseppa Raffaela Cerrito

(born May 11, 1817, Naples, Italy—died May 6, 1909, Paris, Fr.) Italian ballerina and choreographer. She made her debut in Naples (1832) and gained international fame in London (1840–48). She was known for the brilliance, strength, and vivacity of her dancing. Her greatest role was in (1843), created for her by Jules Perrot. Cerrito married her regular partner, Arthur Saint-L, in 1845. In 1854 she both choreographed and danced in at the Paris Opera. She retired in 1857. She was one of the few women in the 19th century to achieve distinction as a choreographer.

Find more information on Cerrito, Fanny. Upgrade to Britannica Online for more on Cerrito, Fanny.