P
Pavlova, Anna, b. St Petersburg, 1881; d. The Hague, 1931. Russian
dancer. Studied at the St Petersburg Theatre School from in 1891, where
P. Gerdt, Johansson, and later Cecchetti were her mentors. She graduated
11 April 1899 in a small ballet arranged by Gerdt, False Dryads
(mus. Pugni) and immediately attracted the attention of critics. Pavlova
began her tour abroad in 1908, visiting Stockholm, Copenhagen, and Berlin.
She made her debut in both New York and London in 1910; in 1912 bought
Ivy House, North End Road, Golders Green, in London, which was her home
for the rest of her life. Although sympathetic to the ideas of Fokine she
danced only in the early Diaghlev seasons, preferring to star in her own
co. and tour worldwide. More than any other dancer she epitomizes the public
image of a ballerina. She inspired a love for dance in all who saw her.
She died from pneumonia.
Petipa, Marius, b. Marseille, 1818; d. Gurzuf, Russia, 1910. French
dancer and choreographer and architect of the Imperial Russian Ballet.
In 1847 came to Russia as principal dancer in Imperial Theatre, St. Petersburg.
In 1862, following the success of Fille du Pharaon, he was appointed
maître de ballet, but worked in the shadow of Saint-Léon
until 1869 when he finally became chief ballet master. From then until
his retirement in 1903 he ruled the St Petersburg Ballet.
R
Rubinstein, Ida , b. St Petersburg, 1885; d. Venice, 1960. Russian
dancer and actress. Studied privately with Fokine; debut 1909 in a private
performance of Salomé which he choreographed for her. Because
of her great beauty Diaghilev cast her in the title role of Cléopâtre
in his first Paris season, 1909, and as Zobeide, 1910. In 1928 she
formed her own ballet co., which presented ballets by some of the greatest
artists of the time; choreography by Nijinska, Massine, Fokine, and Jooss;
original scores by Ravel, Stravinsky, Sauguet, Arthur Honegger, and others.
The company disbanded 1935.
@ Created by Rosina Neginsky