Jean Coralli

Jean Coralli Peracini (Paris, 1779–1854) trained as a dancer at the Académie Royale de Danse (the current École de Danse of the Ballet de l’Opéra national de Paris) and made his Paris Opéra debut in 1802. He was appointed soloist of the Balletto del Teatro alla Scala in Milan in 1808.

Coralli was appointed ballet master of Paris’ Théâtre de la Porte-Saint-Martin in 1825. He created 10 full-length ballets and several short choreographies for the company, including Léocadie, in which virtuoso dancer Jules Perrot played a prominent role.

Coralli took over as ballet master and choreographer when Jean-Louis Aumer was forced to quit the Paris Opéra due to the French Revolution. His position would endure until 1850, during the height of romantic ballet’s popularity.

He began working on his classic ballet Giselle with soloist Carlotta Grisi in 1841. Jules Perrot, who did the dramaturgy and choreography for Carlotta Grisi in the title role, assisted him with this. Following Giselle, Coralli’s works featured the successful ballet La Péri, also in partnership with Grisi.