Vigano, Salvatore

1769-1821

 

Famous ballet dancer, as well as composer of both action and music for ballet. He was born at Naples. He is first known as an actor of female roles in Rome. He married the celebrated Spanish dancer, Maria Medina, and they appeared together in Vienna in 1793. The Empress encouraged him and he produced his ballet of The Men of Prometheus, which had a remarkable run. This established his popularity and his success was assured. He was long intimately associated with Beethoven, which possibly influenced him in modernizing the style of Italian ballet. He died in Milan.