Legnani was born in 1863, in Milan and originally studied with famous ballet dancer Caterina Beretta at La Scala, where she developed her technical expertise.

She was titled prima ballerina for La Scala in 1892, before moving to St Petersburg in 1892, where she reached fame dancing with the Imperial Ballet at the Maryinsky Theatre until 1901.

Under the direction of famous ballet choreographer Marius Petipa, Legnani originated numerous roles including, Cinderella in 1893, Swan Lake in 1895, Raymonda in 1898, and La Camargo in 1901.

[1] She is widely reputed to be the first ballerina to perform 32 fouettés en tournant in the coda of the Grand Pas d'action of the ballet Cinderella.

[4] After retiring from the stage she lived in Italy and served on the examining board of La Scala Ballet School until 4 months before her death.