Edouard Espinosa
Encyclopedia
Edouard Espinosa was co-founder and Principal Examiner of the Association of Operatic Dancing. Born in Moscow - the son of Léon Espinosa
and Mathilda Oberst. He married Eve Louise Kelland
, and had two children Edward Kelland-Espinosa
and Yvette Espinosa
.
In addition to performing, Espinosa worked with his father, Léon Espinosa
, producing and choreographing for music hall
, pantomime
and plays throughout Britain
and abroad. He was particularly adept at teaching and analysing steps and subsequently became Maitre de Ballet for Royal Opera House
in Covent Garden
, The Empire, The Alhambra and theatres in Paris
, Berlin
and New York
. He married Eve Louise Kelland
, Espinosa codified the steps his father taught. This code became the basis for the first structured syllabus of its kind to be devised internationally.
Edouard's brothers (Marius and Leo) and his three sisters (Judith, Ray and Lea Espinosa) all became dancers and teachers.
When he broke away from the Association of Operatic Dancing, many of his students had become prominent teachers in various parts of the British Isles and they formed the nucleus of the British Ballet Organisation
. Over the years, the Organisation expanded, offering a syllabus and examinations in dance. It extended its influence to South Africa
, Australia
, New Zealand
and India
as well as all over the British Isles
.
Espinosa taught many who would go on to have successful careers including Dame Ninette de Valois
, who in turn taught Celia Franca
, the founder of the National Ballet of Canada
.
Espinosa's book The elementary technique of operatic dancing was published in 1928 and was originally called the Syllabus of elementary technique as explained by Espinosa
Léon Espinosa
Leon Espinosa Born in The Hague, Holland of Spanish parents.Léon Espinosa’s early interest in dance was encouraged by a succession of outstanding teachers including Jean Coralli, Filippo Taglioni, and Jules Perrot during his time at the Paris Opéra Ballet.Léon became one of the most extraordinary...
and Mathilda Oberst. He married Eve Louise Kelland
Eve Louise Kelland
Eve Louise Kelland Born in Sydney, Australia - wife of Edouard Espinosa.Eve Kelland started her theatrical career as an actress and singer. She became organiser and administrator of the British Ballet Organisation, and in 1928 she started , under the name of Louise Kay. Their working partnership,...
, and had two children Edward Kelland-Espinosa
Edward Kelland-Espinosa
Edward Kelland-Espinosa son of Edouard Espinosa, founder of the British Ballet Organisation, and his wife Eve Louise Kelland.Following his success as both a performer and teacher, he subsequently devoted his career to developing the BBO and raising the standard of teaching throughout the country...
and Yvette Espinosa
Yvette Espinosa
Yvette Espinosa Born in England - daughter of Eve Louise Kelland and Edouard Espinosa, founder of the British Ballet Organisation.Following her success as a performer and teacher, she joined her brother, Edward Kelland-Espinosa, in devoting her career to developing the BBO and raising the standard...
.
In addition to performing, Espinosa worked with his father, Léon Espinosa
Léon Espinosa
Leon Espinosa Born in The Hague, Holland of Spanish parents.Léon Espinosa’s early interest in dance was encouraged by a succession of outstanding teachers including Jean Coralli, Filippo Taglioni, and Jules Perrot during his time at the Paris Opéra Ballet.Léon became one of the most extraordinary...
, producing and choreographing for music hall
Music hall
Music Hall is a type of British theatrical entertainment which was popular between 1850 and 1960. The term can refer to:# A particular form of variety entertainment involving a mixture of popular song, comedy and speciality acts...
, pantomime
Pantomime
Pantomime — not to be confused with a mime artist, a theatrical performer of mime—is a musical-comedy theatrical production traditionally found in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Jamaica, South Africa, India, Ireland, Gibraltar and Malta, and is mostly performed during the...
and plays throughout Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and abroad. He was particularly adept at teaching and analysing steps and subsequently became Maitre de Ballet for Royal Opera House
Royal Opera House
The Royal Opera House is an opera house and major performing arts venue in Covent Garden, central London. The large building is often referred to as simply "Covent Garden", after a previous use of the site of the opera house's original construction in 1732. It is the home of The Royal Opera, The...
in Covent Garden
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
, The Empire, The Alhambra and theatres in Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, Berlin
Berlin
Berlin is the capital city of Germany and is one of the 16 states of Germany. With a population of 3.45 million people, Berlin is Germany's largest city. It is the second most populous city proper and the seventh most populous urban area in the European Union...
and New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. He married Eve Louise Kelland
Eve Louise Kelland
Eve Louise Kelland Born in Sydney, Australia - wife of Edouard Espinosa.Eve Kelland started her theatrical career as an actress and singer. She became organiser and administrator of the British Ballet Organisation, and in 1928 she started , under the name of Louise Kay. Their working partnership,...
, Espinosa codified the steps his father taught. This code became the basis for the first structured syllabus of its kind to be devised internationally.
Edouard's brothers (Marius and Leo) and his three sisters (Judith, Ray and Lea Espinosa) all became dancers and teachers.
When he broke away from the Association of Operatic Dancing, many of his students had become prominent teachers in various parts of the British Isles and they formed the nucleus of the British Ballet Organisation
British Ballet Organisation
The British Ballet Organisation is a dance examination board based in London, England.- Overview :The British Ballet Organisation was founded in England in 1930 by Edouard Espinosa and Louise Kay, both noted dance teachers. It was established as a dance teaching society and developed a syllabus...
. Over the years, the Organisation expanded, offering a syllabus and examinations in dance. It extended its influence to South Africa
South Africa
The Republic of South Africa is a country in southern Africa. Located at the southern tip of Africa, it is divided into nine provinces, with of coastline on the Atlantic and Indian oceans...
, Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, New Zealand
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
as well as all over the British Isles
British Isles
The British Isles are a group of islands off the northwest coast of continental Europe that include the islands of Great Britain and Ireland and over six thousand smaller isles. There are two sovereign states located on the islands: the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and...
.
Espinosa taught many who would go on to have successful careers including Dame Ninette de Valois
Ninette de Valois
Dame Ninette de Valois, OM, CH, DBE, FRAD, FISTD was an Irish-born British dancer, teacher, choreographer and director of classical ballet...
, who in turn taught Celia Franca
Celia Franca
Celia Franca, was the founder of The National Ballet of Canada and its artistic director for 24 years ....
, the founder of the National Ballet of Canada
National Ballet of Canada
The National Ballet of Canada is Canada's largest ballet troupe. It was founded by Celia Franca in 1951 and is based in Toronto, Ontario. Based upon the unity of Canadian trained dancers in the tradition and style of England's Royal Ballet, The National is regarded as one of the premier classical...
.
Espinosa's book The elementary technique of operatic dancing was published in 1928 and was originally called the Syllabus of elementary technique as explained by Espinosa
External links
- http://bbo.org.uk