Elena Rossi

Elena Rossi was born into a family of classical musicians in Florence, Italy, but her artistic calling drew her away from the orchestra pit and into the open air. Initially trained as a rhythmic gymnast and classical ballerina in Milan, Elena discovered her true passion at age nineteen when she attended a contemporary circus workshop and first wrapped her hands around the aerial silks. The vertical freedom offered a new dimension to her rigorous classical training, blending immense physical strength, fluid flexibility, and theatrical grace. For the past decade, Elena has become one of Europe's most sought-after aerial artists, specializing in site-specific performances that interact with historic architecture. She is the founder and lead choreographer of the acclaimed aerial duo Icarus Ascending, performing alongside her long-time partner and collaborator, Matteo Bianchi. Together, they are known for their gravity-defying choreography, seamless trust, and heart-stopping synchronized drops. The duo frequently headlines international street theater and contemporary circus festivals. The performance pictured captures one of her most celebrated acts—a dramatic sunset routine suspended high above the bustling crowds of her hometown's Piazza della Signoria, framed by the iconic Palazzo Vecchio and the Loggia dei Lanzi.

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When not touring globally or devising new rigging techniques for historic city squares, Elena serves as a master instructor at the Scuola di Circo in Rome, passing on her unique fusion of classical dance technique and dynamic aerial acrobatics to the next generation of aerialists.