Giovanna Baccelli

Portrait of Giovanna Baccelli by Thomas Gainsborough. Oil on canvas, c. 1782. Tate Gallery, London. Giovanna Baccelli, real name Giovanna Francesca Antonia Giuseppa Zanerini, (1753–1801) was a Venetian ballerina. She was the principal ballerina at the King's Theatre, Haymarket in the 1770s.

Early life Giovanna Baccelli was born Giovanna Francesca Antonia Giuseppa Zanerini in Venice in 1753.

Career She was the principal ballerina at the King's Theatre, Haymarket, making her first appearance in 1774. She had an acclaimed career and appeared with Gaetan Vestris and his son Auguste in a number of important ballets devised by Jean-Georges Noverre during the 1780-1 season. Baccelli also performed to acclaim in Venice in 1783-4, and at the Paris Opéra in 1788.

When made Ambassador to France in 1783, Dorset took Baccelli to Paris with him, and she danced at the Opera by invitation. (When he was made Knight of the Garter (KG), she wore the blue ribbon of the Garter while dancing).

Children Dorset and Giovanna had a son together: John Frederick Sackville (1778–1796), who was raised by his father at Paris and Knole after the couple parted in 1789.

Death Baccelli died in 1801.