Background
Gaetano Apolline Baldassarre Vestris was born in Florence on April 18, 1729 to Italian theatrical family.
Gaetano Apolline Baldassarre Vestris was born in Florence on April 18, 1729 to Italian theatrical family.
He studied dance with Louis Dupré at the Royal Academy in Paris.
He made his debut at the opera in 1749. By 1751 his success and his vanity had grown to such a point that he is reported to have said, "There are but three great men in Europe--the king of Prussia, Voltaire and I. " He was an excellent mimic as well as dancer. From 1770 to 1776 he was a master and composer of ballets, retiring, in favour of Jean Georges Noverre, with a pension.
Vestris married a dancer, Anna Heinel, of German origin, who had a wonderful success at the opera. Gaetano had several children who also became dancers. He was the lover of French ballerina Marie Allard and they had a son.
