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==In The Spotlight== | ==In The Spotlight== | ||
| − | === | + | ===VIRGINIE KENEBEL=== |
| + | [[File:Virginie_Kenebel_-_Bordeaux.jpg|right|300px]] | ||
| + | Virginie Kenebel (1819-1884)—whose name is sometimes spelled Kennebel—was one of the brightest stars of the equestrian circus in its "Romantic" period (roughly from 1820 to 1880). She was one of the first écuyères de panneau, who danced various movements of classical ballet on a large flat saddle (the panneau). More than the equestriennes who practiced haute-école dressage, like their male counterparts, it was these ballerinas on horseback who truly defined the equestrian circus's Romantic period. | ||
| − | + | Marie Virginie Kenebel was born into a circus family on April 23, 1819, in La Guillotière, a neighborhood of Lyon, in France. Her father, Ludwig (Louis) Daniel Knebel (or Knoebel, according to his signature—1794-1878), whose name was francized to Kenebel (or Kénébel), has been said to be a Sinti (a subgroup of the Romani people), but there is no clear documentation to support this assertion. If ever the Knebels had been considered as "outsiders" in Germany, it could also have been because they were Jewish, as were many dynasties of German traveling entertainers: Ludwig's parents, Michel Knebel (or Knoebel) and Leonore, née Östermann, bore names that have strong Jewish connections. | |
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| − | + | According to Signor Saltarino (Valdemar Otto) in his ''Artisten Lexikon'' (1895), the Knebels were a "second-rate [circus] family," but they were capable and polyvalent. Principally a rope dancer but also an equestrian trick-rider, Ludwig was born in Mannheim, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, on February 22, 1874. As for Virginie's mother, Françoise Sophie Avrillon (known as Sophie, 1799-1862), she was an equestrienne, also born into a circus family in Tuscany, Italy—in Prato, according to her marriage certificate, or in Florence, according to her death and other French certificates; Prato, which is very close to Florence, seems to be the right location. | |
| − | + | Louis and Sophie had married on March1, 1819 in Colmar, France, just in time to welcome their daughter into an established family. With three brothers and two sisters, Virginie was the first born of a large brood: she was followed by André (1820-1876), François Amédée (known as Amédée, 1825-1877), Etienne Stephan Antoine (known as Stephan, 1830-18091), Clémentine (1831-1833), and Marie-Honorine (1835-1878). | |
| − | + | Except for Clémentine, who died in infancy, all followed in their parents' footsteps and embraced a circus career. Amédée created his own company and moved to England from where, in 1846, he sailed to Mauritius, along with his brother André, and then to India, where he eventually settled (he died in Calcutta). André returned to France and worked in Paris for the Franconis. Stephan married his cousin, the equestrienne Émilie Lambert (1824-1890—her mother, Anna, was an Avrillon), but it doesn't seem that his career was particularly brilliant. Marie Honorine married in 1855 the equestrian Jean-Baptiste Auriol, Jr. (1834-1857), son of the illustrious clown Jean-Baptiste Auriol (1806-1881)—a union that, sadly, was short-lived. | |
| − | + | The Avrillons were a French circus family. Claude Avrillon (1766-1819), Sophie's father, was an equestrian, as was her brother, François (1801-1845), who managed his own circus company; after having tried, unsuccessfully, to establish a permanent circus in Marseille, he had moved to Spain and opened there the first Madrilene circus in 1834, becoming in effect a pioneer of Spanish circus history. (Louis Kenebel and Sophie Avrillon would also create their own circus company with which they traveled intermittently in southern Europe: In 1831, they would find themselves in competition with François Avrillon in Barcelona!)... ([[Virginie Kenebel|more...]]) | |
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==New Essays and Biographies== | ==New Essays and Biographies== | ||
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==New Videos== | ==New Videos== | ||
| + | * [[Ortiz_Video_(2024)|Los Ortiz]], high Wire (2024) | ||
| + | * [[The_Royals_Video_(1993)|The Royals]], jugglers (1993) | ||
| + | * [[Didier_et_Jade_Video_(1995)|Didier & Jade]], high wire (1995) | ||
| + | * [[Mateo_et_Aelia_Video_(2025)|Matéo & Amélia]], diabolo act (2025) | ||
* [[Golyshev_Video_(1984)|Golyshev Troupe]], comedy acrobatics (1984) | * [[Golyshev_Video_(1984)|Golyshev Troupe]], comedy acrobatics (1984) | ||
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==New Oral Histories== | ==New Oral Histories== | ||
Latest revision as of 20:05, 2 September 2025
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In The Spotlight
VIRGINIE KENEBEL
Virginie Kenebel (1819-1884)—whose name is sometimes spelled Kennebel—was one of the brightest stars of the equestrian circus in its "Romantic" period (roughly from 1820 to 1880). She was one of the first écuyères de panneau(French) A flat, padded saddle used by ballerinas on horseback., who danced various movements of classical ballet on a large flat saddle (the panneau(French) A flat, padded saddle used by ballerinas on horseback.). More than the equestriennes who practiced haute-école(French) A display of equestrian dressage by a rider mounting a horse and leading it into classic moves and steps. (See also: High School) dressage, like their male counterparts, it was these ballerinas on horseback who truly defined the equestrian circus's Romantic period.
Marie Virginie Kenebel was born into a circus family on April 23, 1819, in La Guillotière, a neighborhood of Lyon, in France. Her father, Ludwig (Louis) Daniel Knebel (or Knoebel, according to his signature—1794-1878), whose name was francized to Kenebel (or Kénébel), has been said to be a Sinti (a subgroup of the Romani people), but there is no clear documentation to support this assertion. If ever the Knebels had been considered as "outsiders" in Germany, it could also have been because they were Jewish, as were many dynasties of German traveling entertainers: Ludwig's parents, Michel Knebel (or Knoebel) and Leonore, née Östermann, bore names that have strong Jewish connections.
According to Signor Saltarino (Valdemar Otto) in his Artisten Lexikon (1895), the Knebels were a "second-rate [circus] family," but they were capable and polyvalent. Principally a rope dancer but also an equestrian trickAny specific exercise in a circus act.-rider, Ludwig was born in Mannheim, in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, on February 22, 1874. As for Virginie's mother, Françoise Sophie Avrillon (known as Sophie, 1799-1862), she was an equestrienneA female equestrian, or horse trainer, horse presenter, or acrobat on horseback., also born into a circus family in Tuscany, Italy—in Prato, according to her marriage certificate, or in Florence, according to her death and other French certificates; Prato, which is very close to Florence, seems to be the right location.
Louis and Sophie had married on March1, 1819 in Colmar, France, just in time to welcome their daughter into an established family. With three brothers and two sisters, Virginie was the first born of a large brood: she was followed by André (1820-1876), François Amédée (known as Amédée, 1825-1877), Etienne Stephan Antoine (known as Stephan, 1830-18091), Clémentine (1831-1833), and Marie-Honorine (1835-1878).
Except for Clémentine, who died in infancy, all followed in their parents' footsteps and embraced a circus career. Amédée created his own company and moved to England from where, in 1846, he sailed to Mauritius, along with his brother André, and then to India, where he eventually settled (he died in Calcutta). André returned to France and worked in Paris for the Franconis. Stephan married his cousin, the equestrienneA female equestrian, or horse trainer, horse presenter, or acrobat on horseback. Émilie Lambert (1824-1890—her mother, Anna, was an Avrillon), but it doesn't seem that his career was particularly brilliant. Marie Honorine married in 1855 the equestrian Jean-Baptiste Auriol, Jr. (1834-1857), son of the illustrious clown Jean-Baptiste Auriol (1806-1881)—a union that, sadly, was short-lived.
The Avrillons were a French circus family. Claude Avrillon (1766-1819), Sophie's father, was an equestrian, as was her brother, François (1801-1845), who managed his own circus company; after having tried, unsuccessfully, to establish a permanent circus in Marseille, he had moved to Spain and opened there the first Madrilene circus in 1834, becoming in effect a pioneer of Spanish circus history. (Louis Kenebel and Sophie Avrillon would also create their own circus company with which they traveled intermittently in southern Europe: In 1831, they would find themselves in competition with François Avrillon in Barcelona!)... (more...)
New Essays and Biographies
- Virginie Kenebel, equestrienneA female equestrian, or horse trainer, horse presenter, or acrobat on horseback.
- Chongqing Acrobatic Troupe, History
- Cirkus Verdensteater, Oslo Circus Building
- Eddie Murillo, Circus Agent and Producer
- The Biasini Family, Circus Owners, Artists
New Videos
- Los Ortiz, high Wire (2024)
- The Royals, jugglers (1993)
- Didier & Jade, high wireA tight, heavy metallic cable placed high above the ground, on which wire walkers do crossings and various acrobatic exercises. Not to be confused with a tight wire. (1995)
- Matéo & Amélia, diabolo act (2025)
- Golyshev Troupe, comedy acrobatics (1984)
New Oral Histories
- Dominique Jando interview by the Circus Historical Society (2025)
- Evelyn & André Interview on Blikk TV (2015)
- For A Moment You Fly, The First Season of The Big Apple Circus (1977)
- Vladimir Durov Documentary on Russian Television (c.2000)
- Dolly Jacobs Interview at The Ringling (2018)
Circopedia Books
- Philip Astley & The Horsemen who invented the Circus, by Dominique Jando (2018)
A Message from the Founder
CIRCOPEDIA is a constantly evolving and expanding archive of the international circus, maintained by reliable circus historians and specialists. New videos, biographies, essays, and documents are added to the site on a weekly—and sometimes daily—basis. Keep visiting us: even if today you don't find what you're looking for, it may well be here tomorrow! And if you are a serious circus scholar and spot a factual or historical inaccuracy, do not hesitate to contact us: we will definitely consider your remarks and suggestions.
- Dominique Jando
- Founder and Curator
