The Sunday June 25th edition of Circus History Live! featured a fascinating conversation with aerialist and equestrienne extraordinaire . . . Sylvia Zerbini! 

Inducted into the Circus Ring of Fame in 2008, Zerbini hails from a nine-generation circus family and has been performing since the age of 13. Her Italian father and French mother immigrated to the U.S. in the early 1960s. While her father trained horses and wild animals, her mother was an aerialist – a scene seemingly set for Zerbini’s future in performance.

Born in Sarasota, Zerbini studied ballet and gymnastics and performed on the trapeze from an early age. But her love of equestrianism ultimately inspired a lifelong passion that she has carried with her throughout her career.

Zerbini was one of the first people to mix aerial and equestrian work in performance. She has won numerous awards for her acts, including the prestigious Cup of Monaco, presented to her by Monaco’s Prince Rainier

This program was hosted by Circus Historical Society vice president Chris Berry. 

Nonmembers are invited to Join the Circus Historical Society. For only $60 a year, you will receive four issues of Bandwagon, The Journal of Circus Historical Society, and have access to our members-only Back Yard website where you can read back issues of Bandwagon online and purchase used circus books, programs, etc. in our Bookstore. 

This edition and all previous Circus History Live! programs are available for viewing on the CHS YouTube Channel.