Marie Sallé

Marie Sallé (born 1707—died July 27, 1756, Paris, France) was an innovative French dancer and choreographer who performed expressive, dramatic dances during a period when displays of technical virtuosity were more popular. The first woman to choreograph the ballets in which she appeared, she anticipated the late 18th-century reforms of Jean-Georges Noverre by integrating the music, costumes, and dance styles of her ballets with their themes. After childhood appearances in England, Sallé studied with Françoise...