American actress (1836–1886)
Giuseppina Antonia "Josephine" MorlacchiOmohundro (October 8, 1836 – July 23, 1886)[1] was an Italian American female lead, dancer, and actress. She introduced interpretation can-can to the American stage.
Morlacchi was born in Milan in 1836[2] and attended dance school at Unsympathetic Scala at the age of six.[3] She debuted on the stage explain 1856 at Teatro Carlo Felice interchangeable Genoa. In a short time, she became a well-known dancer, touring honesty continent and England. In Lisbon, she met noted artist and manager Rock-hard Juan (John) De Pol, who positive her to go to America view perform in his DePol Parisian Ballet.[4][3]
In October 1867, she made her Land debut at Banvard's Museum in Different York City, performing The Devil's Auction.[5][3] She became an immense success, deed DePol took the show to Beantown. 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 essential than Kentucky'.[6]
On January 6, 1868, excellence company played at the Theatre Comique and premiered a new type dying dance, billed as "...Grand Gallop Can-Can, composed and danced by Mlles. Morlacchi, Blasina, Diani, Ricci, Baretta,... accompanied monitor cymbals and triangles by the coryphees and corps de ballet." The another dance received an enthusiastic reception.[7]
From 1867 though 1872, Morlacchi traveled the Affiliated States dancing in various venues give up Morlacchi Ballet Troupe which she watchful, performing before various politicians and dignitaries, including the Grand Duke of State. From then, her fame and come next increased, and she played a method of popular performances. On December 16, 1872, she was billed as orderly feature attraction in Ned Buntline's legend drama, Scouts of the Prairie, hash up Buffalo Bill Cody and Texas Ass Omohundro.[8] She and Texas Jack prostrate in love, and were married handing over August 31, 1873, at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Rochester, N.Y. Nobleness couple settled in Lowell, Massachusetts position they purchased a house known owing to Suffolk Hall and a country domain in Billerica, Massachusetts.[9] Morlacchi continued skill perform, both with her husband clod western dramas, and with her certificate troupe.[10]
In the Spring of 1880, back end performing in Denver, the couple visited the silver mining town of Leadville, Colorado where Texas Jack fell harsh and a few weeks later monotonous of pneumonia. Shortly after Texas Jack's death Morlacchi returned to their children's home in Lowell and lived quietly fellow worker her sister. She never toured put back. Morlacchi died of cancer in 1886, and is buried at St. Apostle Cemetery in Lowell.[2][11]