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{{Short description|American actress (1836–1886)}}
[[File:Giuseppina Morlacchi.JPG|thumb|Giuseppina Morlacchi in 1873]]


{{Infobox person
'''Giuseppina Morlacchi''' (October 8, 1846 – July 25, 1886) was an Italian American [[ballerina]], [[dancer]], and actress who introduced the [[can-can]] to the American stage.
| name = Giuseppina Morlacchi
| image = Giuseppina Morlacchi.JPG
| alt = Giuseppina Morlacchi in 1873
| caption = Morlacchi in 1873
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1836|10|08}}
| birth_place = [[Milan]], [[Austrian Empire]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|1886|7|23|1836|10|8}}
| death_place = [[Billerica, Massachusetts|Billerica]], [[Massachusetts]]
| education =
| nationality = Italian American
| other_names =
| occupation = Ballerina and actress
| years_active =
| known_for = Introduced the Can-can to America
| notable_works =
| spouse = [[Texas Jack Omohundro]] (m. 1873)
}}

'''Giuseppina Antonia "Josephine" Morlacchi''' '''Omohundro''' (October 8, 1836 – July 23, 1886)<ref>{{Cite book |last=Barker |first=Barbara |url=http://www.anb.org/view/10.1093/anb/9780198606697.001.0001/anb-9780198606697-e-1801884 |title=American National Biography |date=February 2000 |publisher=Oxford University Press |volume= |language=en |chapter=Morlacchi, Giuseppina (1836-1886), ballet dancer |doi=10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.1801884|isbn=978-0-19-860669-7 }}</ref> was an Italian American [[ballerina]], [[dancer]], and actress. She introduced the [[can-can]] to the American stage.


==Biography==
==Biography==
[[File:Texas Jack Cody et al.jpg|thumb|[[Ned Buntline]], [[Buffalo Bill]] Cody, Giuseppina Morlacchi, [[Texas Jack Omohundro]], {{circa|1873}}]]
Morlacchi was born in [[Milan]] in 1846 and attended dance school at [[La Scala]] at the age of six. She debuted on the stage in 1856 at [[Teatro Carlo Felice]] in [[Genoa]]. In a short time, she became a well-known dancer, touring the continent and England. In [[Lisbon]], she met noted artist and manager John DePol, who persuaded her to go to America and perform in his ''DePol Parisian Ballet''.<ref>[[#Logan|Logan (2005)]], p. 101.</ref>
Morlacchi was born in [[Milan]] in 1836<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/108474217/giuseppina-antonia-omohundro|title=Giuseppina Antonia "Josephine" Morlacchi Omohundro|last=|first=|date=|website=Find A Grave|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=}}</ref> and attended dance school at [[La Scala]] at the age of six.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2015-03-06 |title=Sur la Pointe on the Prairie: Giuseppina Morlacchi and the Urban Problem in the Frontier Melodrama |url=https://jadtjournal.org/2015/03/06/sur-la-pointe-giuseppina-morlacchi-and-the-urban-problem-in-the-frontier-melodrama/ |access-date=2022-03-24 |website=The Journal of American Drama and Theatre (JADT) |language=en-CAC}}</ref> She debuted on the stage in 1856 at [[Teatro Carlo Felice]] in [[Genoa]]. In a short time, she became a well-known dancer, touring the continent and England. In [[Lisbon]], she met noted artist and manager Don Juan (John) De Pol, who persuaded her to go to America and perform in his ''DePol Parisian Ballet''.<ref>[[#Logan|Logan (1954)]], p. 101.</ref><ref name=":1" />


In October 1867, she made her American debut at ''Banvard's Museum'' in [[New York City]], performing ''The Devil's Auction''.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Dancers at The Devil's Auction|url=http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030313/1867-09-22/ed-1/seq-7/|accessdate=25 November 2017|publisher=The New York Herald|date=22 September 1867}}</ref>
In October 1867, she made her American debut at ''Banvard's Museum'' in [[New York City]], performing ''The Devil's Auction''.<ref>{{cite news|title=The Dancers at The Devil's Auction|url=http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn83030313/1867-09-22/ed-1/seq-7/|access-date=25 November 2017|newspaper=The New York Herald|date=22 September 1867}}</ref><ref name=":1" />
She became an immense success, and DePol took the show to [[Boston]]. During her rise to fame, DePol insured her legs for $100,000, after which newspapers claimed that Morlacchi was 'more valuable than [[Kentucky (horse)|Kentucky]]'.<ref>[[#Enss|Enss (2005)]], p. 4.</ref>
She became an immense success, and DePol took the show to [[Boston]]. During her rise to fame, DePol insured her legs for $100,000 (equal to ${{Inflation|US|100000|1867|fmt=c}} today), after which newspapers claimed that Morlacchi was 'more valuable than [[Kentucky (horse)|Kentucky]]'.<ref>[[#Enss|Enss (2005)]], p. 4.</ref>


On January 6, 1868, the company played at the ''Theatre Comique'' and premiered a new type of dance, billed as "...Grand Gallop Can-Can, composed and danced by Mlles. Morlacchi, Blasina, Diani, Ricci, Baretta,... accompanied with cymbals and triangles by the coryphees and [[corps de ballet]]." The new dance received an enthusiastic reception.<ref>[[#Logan|Logan (2005)]], p. 103.</ref>
On January 6, 1868, the company played at the ''Theatre Comique'' and premiered a new type of dance, billed as "...Grand Gallop Can-Can, composed and danced by Mlles. Morlacchi, Blasina, Diani, Ricci, Baretta,... accompanied with cymbals and triangles by the coryphees and [[corps de ballet]]." The new dance received an enthusiastic reception.<ref>[[#Logan|Logan (1954)]], p. 103.</ref>


From 1867 though 1872, Giuseppina traveled the United States dancing in various venues with ''Morlacchi Ballet Troupe'' which she formed, performing before various politicians and dignitaries, including the [[Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia|Grand Duke of Russia]]. From then, her fame and success increased, and she played a succession of popular performances. On December 16, 1872, she was billed as a feature attraction in [[Ned Buntline]]'s western drama, ''Scouts of the Prairie'', with [[Buffalo Bill Cody]] and [[Texas Jack Omohundro]].<ref>[[#Barker|Barker (1984)]], p. 130.</ref> She and Texas Jack fell in love, and were married on August 31, 1873 at [[St. Mary's Church (Rochester, New York)|St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rochester, NY]]. The couple settled in [[Lowell, Massachusetts]] where they purchased a home known as Suffolk Hall and a country estate in [[Billerica, Massachusetts]].<ref>{{cite news|title=M'lle Morlacchi and Her Farm|url=http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85033673/1870-08-06/ed-1/seq-1/|accessdate=25 November 2017|publisher=Public Ledger (Memphis, Tenn.)|date=6 August 1870}}</ref> Morlacchi continued to perform, both with her husband in western dramas, and with her dance troupe.<ref>[[#Logan|Logan (2005)]], pp. 111–116.</ref>
From 1867 though 1872, Morlacchi traveled the United States dancing in various venues with ''Morlacchi Ballet Troupe'' which she formed, performing before various politicians and dignitaries, including the [[Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia|Grand Duke of Russia]]. From then, her fame and success increased, and she played a succession of popular performances. On December 16, 1872, she was billed as a feature attraction in [[Ned Buntline]]'s western drama, ''Scouts of the Prairie'', with [[Buffalo Bill Cody]] and [[Texas Jack Omohundro]].<ref>[[#Barker|Barker (1984)]], p. 130.</ref> She and Texas Jack fell in love, and were married on August 31, 1873, at [[St. Mary's Church (Rochester, New York)|St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rochester, N.Y.]] The couple settled in [[Lowell, Massachusetts]] where they purchased a house known as Suffolk Hall and a country estate in [[Billerica, Massachusetts]].<ref>{{cite news|title=M'lle Morlacchi and Her Farm|url=http://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn85033673/1870-08-06/ed-1/seq-1/|access-date=25 November 2017|newspaper=Public Ledger (Memphis, Tenn.)|date=6 August 1870}}</ref> Morlacchi continued to perform, both with her husband in western dramas, and with her dance troupe.<ref>[[#Logan|Logan (1954)]], pp. 111–116.</ref>


In the Spring of 1880, after performing in Denver, the couple visited the silver mining town of [[Leadville, Colorado]] where Texas Jack fell ill and a few weeks later died of pneumonia.
In the Spring of 1880, after performing in Denver, the couple visited the silver mining town of [[Leadville, Colorado]] where Texas Jack fell ill and a few weeks later died of pneumonia.
Shortly after Texas Jack's death Morlacchi returned to their home in Lowell and lived quietly with her sister. She never toured again. Morlacchi died of cancer in 1886, and is buried at St. Patrick Cemetery in Lowell.<ref>[[#Logan|Logan (2005)]], p. 190.</ref>
Shortly after Texas Jack's death Morlacchi returned to their home in Lowell and lived quietly with her sister. She never toured again. Morlacchi died of cancer in 1886, and is buried at St. Patrick Cemetery in Lowell.<ref name=":0" /><ref>[[#Logan|Logan (1954)]], p. 190.</ref>


==References==
==References==
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==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
*Kerns, Matthew (2021). [https://books.google.com/books?id=rCvzygEACAAJ ''Texas Jack: America's First Cowboy Star.''] Two Dot. <nowiki>ISBN 9781493055425</nowiki>
*{{cite book|last1=Logan|first1=Herschel C.|title=Buckskin and Satin: The Life of Texas Jack and His Wife|date=1954|publisher=Stackpole|location=Harrisburg|url=https://archive.org/details/buckskinandstain007287mbp|ref=Logan}}
*{{cite book|last1=Logan|first1=Herschel C.|title=Buckskin and Satin: The Life of Texas Jack and His Wife|date=1954|publisher=Stackpole|location=Harrisburg|url=https://archive.org/details/buckskinandstain007287mbp|ref=Logan}}
*{{cite book|last1=Enss|first1=Chris|title=Buffalo Gals: Women of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show|date=2005|publisher=Globe Pequot|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UwQ_vgAACAAJ&dq|ref=Enss}}
*{{cite book|last1=Enss|first1=Chris|title=Buffalo Gals: Women of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show|date=2005|publisher=Globe Pequot|isbn=9780762735655|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UwQ_vgAACAAJ|ref=Enss}}
*{{cite book|last1=Barker|first1=Barbara|title=Ballet or Ballyhoo: The American Careers of Maria Bonfanti, Rita Sangalli, and Giuseppina Morlacchi|date=1984|publisher=Dance Horizons|location=New York|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hXk7AAAAMAAJ|ref=Barker}}
*{{cite book|last1=Barker|first1=Barbara|title=Ballet or Ballyhoo: The American Careers of Maria Bonfanti, Rita Sangalli, and Giuseppina Morlacchi|date=1984|publisher=Dance Horizons|location=New York|isbn=9780871271365|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hXk7AAAAMAAJ|ref=Barker}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|Giuseppina Morlacchi}}
{{Commons category|Giuseppina Morlacchi}}
* [http://library.uml.edu/clh/Texas/T1.Html Texas Jack and the peerless Morlacchi]
*[[iarchive:texasjack/mode/2up|Texas Jack and the peerless Morlacchi]]
*{{Find a Grave|108474217}}
*{{Find a Grave|108474217}}

{{Authority control}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Morlacchi, Giuseppina}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Morlacchi, Giuseppina}}
[[Category:1846 births]]
[[Category:1836 births]]
[[Category:1886 deaths]]
[[Category:1886 deaths]]
[[Category:19th-century Italian ballet dancers]]
[[Category:19th-century Italian ballet dancers]]
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[[Category:American ballerinas]]
[[Category:American ballerinas]]
[[Category:American stage actresses]]
[[Category:American stage actresses]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer]]
[[Category:Deaths from cancer in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Italian ballerinas]]
[[Category:Italian ballerinas]]
[[Category:Italian emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:Italian emigrants to the United States]]
[[Category:People from Milan]]
[[Category:Dancers from Milan]]
[[Category:Musicians from Lowell, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Musicians from Lowell, Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Deaths from pneumonia in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:American Roman Catholics]]

Latest revision as of 05:46, 26 October 2024

Giuseppina Morlacchi
Giuseppina Morlacchi in 1873
Morlacchi in 1873
Born(1836-10-08)October 8, 1836
Milan, Austrian Empire
DiedJuly 23, 1886(1886-07-23) (aged 49)
Billerica, Massachusetts
NationalityItalian American
Occupation(s)Ballerina and actress
Known forIntroduced the Can-can to America
SpouseTexas Jack Omohundro (m. 1873)

Giuseppina Antonia "Josephine" Morlacchi Omohundro (October 8, 1836 – July 23, 1886)[1] was an Italian American ballerina, dancer, and actress. She introduced the can-can to the American stage.

Biography

[edit]
Ned Buntline, Buffalo Bill Cody, Giuseppina Morlacchi, Texas Jack Omohundro, c. 1873

Morlacchi was born in Milan in 1836[2] and attended dance school at La Scala at the age of six.[3] She debuted on the stage in 1856 at Teatro Carlo Felice in Genoa. In a short time, she became a well-known dancer, touring the continent and England. In Lisbon, she met noted artist and manager Don Juan (John) De Pol, who persuaded her to go to America and perform in his DePol Parisian Ballet.[4][3]

In October 1867, she made her American debut at Banvard's Museum in New York City, performing The Devil's Auction.[5][3] She became an immense success, and DePol took the show to Boston. During her rise to fame, DePol insured her legs for $100,000 (equal to $2,180,000 today), after which newspapers claimed that Morlacchi was 'more valuable than Kentucky'.[6]

On January 6, 1868, the company played at the Theatre Comique and premiered a new type of dance, billed as "...Grand Gallop Can-Can, composed and danced by Mlles. Morlacchi, Blasina, Diani, Ricci, Baretta,... accompanied with cymbals and triangles by the coryphees and corps de ballet." The new dance received an enthusiastic reception.[7]

From 1867 though 1872, Morlacchi traveled the United States dancing in various venues with Morlacchi Ballet Troupe which she formed, performing before various politicians and dignitaries, including the Grand Duke of Russia. From then, her fame and success increased, and she played a succession of popular performances. On December 16, 1872, she was billed as a feature attraction in Ned Buntline's western drama, Scouts of the Prairie, with Buffalo Bill Cody and Texas Jack Omohundro.[8] She and Texas Jack fell in love, and were married on August 31, 1873, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rochester, N.Y. The couple settled in Lowell, Massachusetts where they purchased a house known as Suffolk Hall and a country estate in Billerica, Massachusetts.[9] Morlacchi continued to perform, both with her husband in western dramas, and with her dance troupe.[10]

In the Spring of 1880, after performing in Denver, the couple visited the silver mining town of Leadville, Colorado where Texas Jack fell ill and a few weeks later died of pneumonia. Shortly after Texas Jack's death Morlacchi returned to their home in Lowell and lived quietly with her sister. She never toured again. Morlacchi died of cancer in 1886, and is buried at St. Patrick Cemetery in Lowell.[2][11]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Barker, Barbara (February 2000). "Morlacchi, Giuseppina (1836-1886), ballet dancer". American National Biography. Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/anb/9780198606697.article.1801884. ISBN 978-0-19-860669-7.
  2. ^ a b "Giuseppina Antonia "Josephine" Morlacchi Omohundro". Find A Grave.
  3. ^ a b c "Sur la Pointe on the Prairie: Giuseppina Morlacchi and the Urban Problem in the Frontier Melodrama". The Journal of American Drama and Theatre (JADT). 2015-03-06. Retrieved 2022-03-24.
  4. ^ Logan (1954), p. 101.
  5. ^ "The Dancers at The Devil's Auction". The New York Herald. 22 September 1867. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  6. ^ Enss (2005), p. 4.
  7. ^ Logan (1954), p. 103.
  8. ^ Barker (1984), p. 130.
  9. ^ "M'lle Morlacchi and Her Farm". Public Ledger (Memphis, Tenn.). 6 August 1870. Retrieved 25 November 2017.
  10. ^ Logan (1954), pp. 111–116.
  11. ^ Logan (1954), p. 190.

Bibliography

[edit]
[edit]
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