Giuseppe Chiarini

Giuseppe Chiarini (18231897) was an Italian equestrian, horse trainer, and international circus owner.

Early history Giuseppe Chiarini was born in Rome, Italy in 1823. Born into a renowned Italian dynasty, his father was a trick rider and trainer of horses.

Circus life Giuseppe became a pupil of Henri Franconi, and his trained horses were featured for a period among Franconi's show attractions. After studying under Franconi, the Italian equestrian opened his own circus in 1847 and made his way to America, where he began in San Francisco.

On June 28, 1852, Chiarini performed an equestrian act at the Astley's Royal Amphitheatre Programme.

Soon after, he traveled with his company to Cuba which was under Spanish colonial rule and established a circus in Havana. Between 1853 and 1856, he had begun touring the island of Cuba under the Royal Spanish Circus. He later adopted the name Chiarini's Royal Italian Circus, also known as Chiarini's Circus and Menagerie, acting as the manager and proprietor.

He travelled to Mexico around 1864 where he established his circus. Maximilian I of Mexico reportedly bestowed Chiarini with a white Arabian thoroughbred named "Abd-el-kader" during his visit. Chiarini went back to Europe next, gaining popularity in Lisbon and Madrid. He reached Manila in May 1886, where he established himself in the Philippine city's entertainment scene for two months. Arriving in Japan by July 1886, Chiarini made his debut in Tokyo and spent September and October touring the Kantō region. His troupe performed before Emperor Meiji on November 1, 1886.

Family He had a son, Ernesto Abel Chiarini, with an American woman from Boston named Serafina Fleres.

Death Chiarini died in 1897 at the Hotel Americano in Panama City, Panama.