B
Balanchine, George [Georgi Balanchivadze]. b. St. Petersburg, 1904.
Russian dancer, choreographer, and ballet master. Associated principally
with New York City Ballet and its predecessor cos (artistic director since
1934); ballet master Diaghilev's Ballet Russe, 1924-29; ballet master,
Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, 1944-5; created works for Paris Opera Ballet,
American Ballet Theatre, Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, his own company,
Les Ballets 1933, Royal Danish Ballet and Buenos Aires Ballet; created
dances for opera. Broadway musicals, On Your Toes, 1936, film Goldwyn
Follies, 1938, TV, Noah and the Flood, mus. Stravinsky, sc.
Ter-Arutunian, 1962.
Bolm, Adolph, b. St. Petersburg, 1884; d. Hollywood, 1951. Russian
dancer and choreographer. Trained in Imperial School, St. Petersburg, graduating
1903 and becoming a soloist at the Maryinsky Theatre, 1910. Organized and
danced in A. Pavlova's first tours abroad. Joined Diaghilev's Ballets Russes
1909 and created Chief Warrior in Prince Igor and Pierrot in Carnaval.
Resigned from Maryinsky 1911 and danced for Diaghilev untion the second
USA tour of the co. 1916, when he decided to settle in the USA. He founded
his Ballet. Worked with Chicago Grand Opera Ballet and became principal
dancer of Chicago Civic Opera. In 1924 helped establish the Chicago Allied
Arts Inc. to produce modern Amercan ballets. He staged some of the old
Fokine ballets at T. Colon, Buenos Aires, and then moved to Hollywood where
he worked in films. In 1933 he joined San Francisco Opera Co. as choreographer
and ballet master and established a school. He created in 1929 the first
dance film synchronized to orchestral music, the Dance Macabre of
Camille Saint-Saens.
Brianza, Carlotta, b. Milan, 1867; d. Paris, 1930. Italian dancer.
Pupil of Blasis. Not only a ballerina in Milan but also an influential
guest artist in St. Petersburg. Diaghilev brought her out of retirement
to appear as Carabosse in his 1921 production of The Sleeping Princess.
C
Cecchetti, Enrico, b. Rome, 1850; d. Milan, 1928. Italian dancer, son
of two dancers, and one of the greatest teachers in ballet history. Studied
with Lepri in Florence. Came to St. Petersburg in 1887. His brilliant technique
amazed the Russians and he was appointed in 1890 as second ballet master
to the Imperial Theatres and in 1892 as instructor at the Imperial School.
In 1909 he became the official teacher for Diaghilev's Ballets Russes and
created many roles with that company. In 1918 he and his wife Giuseppina
opened a school in London where his pupils included nearly every famous
dancer of the time. During the run of the Diaghilev Sleeping Princess
in London, he celebrated his golden jubilee on the stage by performing
the role of Carabosse for one performance and made his last stage appearance
in 1926 as teh Charlatan in Petrushka in Milan.
D
Danilova, Alexandra, b. Peterhof [Petrodvorets], 1904. Russian dancer
and teacher. Studied Petrograd Imperial, later State, School; graduated
into the co. at the Maryinsky Theatre; became soloist 1922-3. Left Russia
with Balanchine and a small group 1924; joined Diaghilev Ballets 1924-25
season, bellerina 1927-29. As a dancer her range was enormous, from pure
classicism in Swan Lake to sparking comedy in Coppélia.
Dolin, Anton [Sydney Francis Patrick Chippendall Healey-Kay], b. Slinfold,
Sussex, 1904. English dancer, choreographer, director, and writer, of Irish
descent and temperament. Studied with Grace and Lillie Cone in Brighton
as a child, then with Astaryeva where Diaghilev saw him. Engaged as a page
in The Sleeping Princess 1921 (under the name of Patrikieeff). Joined
Diaghilev's Ballets Russes as soloist, debut 1 Jan 1924 in Monte Carlo.
Was with the company 1924-25 then again 1928-29. Train Bleu was
created for him. With Woizikoski created one of teh evil companions in
Fils Prodigue; danced many leading roles including Bluebird, the
Moor in Petrushka, Harlequin in Carnaval. Appeared in revues,
etc., and in 1927-28 founded ballet group with Nemchinova. The first English
male dancer of the 20th century to win world acclaim; one of the greatest
partners in classic ballet, presenting his ballerinas with exemplary care
and pride. Author of three volumes of autobiography, of Pas de Deux:
The Art of Partnering, Alicia Markova: Her Life and Art and The
Sleeping Ballerina, about Spessivtseva.
Doubrovska, Felia [Felizata Dluzhnevska], b. 1896. Russian dancer and
teacher. Graduated from Imperial School, St. Petersburg, 1013, joined Maryinsky
Ballet. Left Russia after revolution and made her way to Paris, joined
Diaghilev 1920. After Diaghilev's death joined A. Pavlova's company; later
danced in Paris with Lifar and in Balanchine's production of Orfée
aux Enfers (mus. Jacques Offenbach, 1932), and with revived Ballet
Russe de Monte Carlo, 1932. Moved to New York with her husband, Vladimirov,
when he joined faculty of School of American Ballet 1934, and temporary
retired from stage, returning as soloist with NY Met Opera Ballet, 1938-9.
Then taught at Shcool of American Ballet.