Maria la Magica: The Story of Maria Taglioni, Prima Ballerina

Maria Taglioni rose from a plain, hunchback little girl who skipped ballet classes to play with her friends to become the premiere danseuse of the world. Her athleticism led to the re-design of ballet costumes: her artistry to the revolutionary dancing en pointe. She and her father, Filippo, ushered in the era of the Romantic ballet. Those love stories and the elegant choreographies remain as popular today as they were in the nineteenth century when Maria was at the peak of her profession. Even in the 21st century, Maria Taglioni continues to inspire all who dance, teach or just appreciate the beauty of ballet.