Taglioni, Marie (1804-1884)

Italian dancer. A ballerina of ethereal style and exceptional lightness, she was the first to use pointe work, or dancing on the toes, as an expressive part of ballet rather than as sheer technique. She created many roles, including the title role in La Sylphide 1832, first performed at the Paris Opéra, and choreographed by her father Filippo (1771-1871).

Marie's brother Paolo (1808-1884) was a choreographer and ballet master at Berlin Court Opera 1856-83, and his daughter Marie (1833-1891) danced in Berlin and London, creating many roles in her father's ballets.