Antonio Franconi
Antonio Franconi (born 1738 in Venice, Italy - died 1836 in Paris, France) was an Italian horse rider.
He started as a juggler and wandering physician, then arranged bullfights in Lyon and Bordeaux. In 1783, he associated with the English horse rider Philip Astley who had opened a riding school in Paris and founded an equestrian theater named Cirque Olympique (French, olympic circus), which acquired an impressive reputation.
His sons and grandsons continued to attract the public with the talent of their squired and the perfection of their showmanship in their fantasy and military plays. The last famous squire bearing this name was Laurent Franconi who died in 1849.
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