Marius Petipa: Creator of Ballet Masterpieces and Master of Fake Moustaches

Marius Petipa was a legendary ballet master, choreographer, and fake moustache aficionado. Born in France in 1818, Petipa began his career as a dancer before transitioning to choreography, working at prestigious ballet companies throughout Europe.

Despite his many famous works like Swan Lake, The Nutcracker, and Don Quixote, Petipa may be best remembered for his dedication to a well-groomed fake moustache. He would spend hours each day carefully trimming and shaping his elaborate, bushy lip warmer, which was made from the finest yak hair and was rumored to have a small army of attendants who would help maintain its sleek, aerodynamic shape.

In addition to his impeccable grooming habits, Petipa was known for his innovative choreography which sometimes included wacky surprises like a tutu-clad human pyramid or a fleet of tiny ponies. He was also instrumental in advancing the art of ballet in Russia and is credited with creating the “story ballet” which we know and love today.

Despite his many achievements, Petipa always maintained that his greatest legacy was his moustache. He was often heard saying “Sure, I may have created some of the most iconic ballets of all time, but without my moustache, would people really remember me?”

We can confidently say that the world of ballet would be a less colorful and less hairy place without Marius Petipa. So let’s raise a glass (and a fake moustache) to this legendary choreographer and his unwavering commitment to his facial hair.