The ballet Paquita was originally choreographed by Joseph Mazilier, with additional choreography by Marius Petipa. It was first presented by the Ballet of the Imperial Bolshoi Theatre of Moscow on April 1, 1846. It tells the story of a peasant girl who is saved from a bandit chief and eventually marries an aristocrat.
Paquita was one of the earliest ballets to be produced in Russia and it quickly became a favorite with audiences. It is unique in that it contains both Spanish and Russian elements which were combined to create something entirely new. The music, composed by Ludwig Minkus, includes folk melodies from both countries as well as original compositions.
The ballet is set in Spain during the Napoleonic wars and follows a story of love and heroism. The leading roles are danced by a principal couple as well as several corps de ballet dancers who perform various group dances that form part of the story. The choreography has been praised for its technical difficulty as well as its artistry.
Joseph Mazilier is widely credited with creating the original choreography for Paquita. He had been trained in Paris at the Conservatoire de Paris under Jean-Antoine Petipa, father of the famous Marius Petipa who would later add additional choreography to Paquita. Joseph Mazilier went on to become a renowned choreographer in his own right, creating works for many major ballet companies around Europe.
Marius Petipa, son of Jean-Antoine Petipa, was responsible for revising and adding additional choreography to Paquita when it was presented at St Petersburg’s Maryinsky Theatre in 1881. He would go on to become one of the most important figures in ballet history, known especially for his contributions to classical works such Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker (1892) and Swan Lake (1895).
Although many people have contributed to this beloved work over its long history, it is clear that Joseph Mazilier’s contribution cannot be overlooked when discussing who wrote the Ballet Paquita. In addition, Marius Petipa’s revisions have allowed this work to remain relevant and popular today — more than 150 years after its premiere.
Conclusion:
The Ballet Paquita was originally created by Joseph Mazilier with additional revisions made by Marius Petipa when it was presented at St Petersburg’s Maryinsky Theatre in 1881. Both men have made an influential mark on this timeless classic which continues to delight audiences around the world today.