Lucile Grahn
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Lucile Alexia Grahn (June 30, 1819 - April 4, 1907) was the first internationally renowned Danish ballerina and one of the popular dancers of the Romantic ballet era.
Grahn studied from a young age at the Royal Danish Theatre School in Copenhagen, Denmark under the tutelage of August Bournonville. She officially debuted in 1834 at the theater and took on the leading role of Astrid in Bournonville's Valdemar in 1835. Soon, the relationship between Bournonville and Grahn began to sour, as she yearned to dance at the famed Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique (or Paris Opéra). She eventually received royal permission to leave, and never returned to Denmark.
In 1839, Grahn left the Royal Theatre and began showing at the Paris Opera. Between 1839 and 1845, Grahn danced at several various theatres, including London, St. Petersburg, and Milan. In 1845, her career reached stardom when she was part of the Pas de Quatre alongside Fanny Cerrito, Carlotta Grisi, and Marie Taglioni.
After 1846, Grahn toured much of Europe, not only dancing, but also producing several ballets, including a revival of Perrot's Catarina, and her even her own play Bacchus et Ariadne. Grahn moved to Hamburg, Germany in 1848 and became so fond of the country that she built a home in Munich.
Grahn retired from dancing in 1856 and was married to Friedrich Young. Her career turned to being a ballet mistress from 1858 to 1861 in Leipzig, Germany and from 1869 to 1875 at the Court Opera in Munich. She died in Munich in 1907, and left her generous estate to the city.
