author
Giovanni-Andrea Gallini
1728–1805
An Italian dancer who reinvented himself in London, he rose from the stage to become a well-known impresario and theater figure in 18th-century Britain. His life connects ballet, opera, and the business of entertainment at a fascinating moment in cultural history.
1 Audiobook
A Treatise on the Art of Dancing
by Giovanni-Andrea Gallini
About the author
Born in Florence on January 7, 1728, Giovanni-Andrea Gallini was trained as a dancer and later built his career in England, where he became widely known as Sir John Andrew Gallini. He performed at the Opera House in the Haymarket and gained attention not only as a dancer and choreographer, but also as a sharp-minded man of the theater.
Gallini eventually moved beyond performing into management and promotion, helping shape London’s musical and theatrical life. He is especially remembered as an impresario associated with opera and public entertainment, and for turning artistic success into lasting social standing.
He died in London on January 5, 1805. Today he stands out as a lively example of an 18th-century European artist who crossed borders, adapted to a new audience, and left his mark on the stage both in performance and behind the scenes.