Brahma: a ballet of the 19th century

In the photos "Virginia Zucchi" in the role of Padmana from the ballet "Brahma" directed by Ippolito Monplaisir, scored by Costantino Dell'Argine produced for the first time in 1872. Interesting to note that the Indian themes  were already and much more in use at that time then now. This ballet has disappeared  completely from the classical repertoire. Virginia Zucchi too is hardly mentioned in the history of ballet,  though her contribution was immense.
She was the first and greatest of a series of Italian ballerinas who dominated Russian Ballet for some fifteen years (from 1885 till beginning of 20th century).  She awakened an enthusiasm for ballet in a number of young men who were to play key parts in Diaghilev 's Les Ballets Russes. One of them was Alexander Benois. She inspired dancers like Gerdt (who was her partner in a few productions at the Imperial Theatres) and Kshesinskaya.  Even for a young Leonid Stanislavsky it was a lesson to watch her rehearsing  and staging a ballet. She was technically a very good dancer but  above all an extremely talented actress. The Russian balletomanes, women and men, used to shower her with incredible gifts like diamonds, silver and all precious jewellery, after every performance.