Alexandra Danilova

Alexandra Danilova
Danilova as Fanny Cerrito in Pas de Quatre, 1948

Aleksandra Dionisyevna Danilova (Russian: Александра Дионисьевна Данилова) (November 20, 1903–July 13, 1997) was a Russian-born prima ballerina who became an American citizen.

Born in Peterhof, Russia, she trained at the Russian Imperial Ballet School in Leningrad (formerly and currently St. Petersburg). She was best known for being one of the few Russian-trained ballerinas to tour outside Russia. Her first professional post was as a member of the St. Petersburg's Imperial Ballet.

In 1924, she and George Balanchine left Russia. They were soon picked up by Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes; Danilova as a dancer, Balanchine as a choreographer. Danilova also toured for years with the Ballets Russes under Sergei Diaghilev, then with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo after Diaghilev's death. She was one of her generation's biggest stars, but Danilova was never good at handling her finances. Her last ballet performance was in 1957, but she made her Broadway musical comedy debut in 1958 in Oh, Captain!. She appeared in a single scene, a dance with the show's star, Tony Randall, which stole the show. Many have said it was the finest dance number in a post-war musical. Unfortunately, the show was a commercial failure and quickly closed. She was desperate when she again met Balanchine on the street in 1964. When he heard of her plight he instantly hired her to teach at the School of American Ballet. One of the most valued members of the faculty, she remained there until her retirement in 1989.

She had a long intimate relationship with George Balanchine although they never officially married. After their romance ended their professional partnership continued, as she taught many of his dancers at the School of American Ballet, and choreographed a version of Coppélia with Balanchine. She was married and divorced twice.

She published an autobiography called Choura, which was her nickname. She also had a small role in the movie The Turning Point as a ballet teacher.

Danilova crater on Venus was named after her in 1991.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Alexandra Danílova — Nombre real Aleksandra Dionisyevna Danílova Nacimiento 20 de noviembre de 1903 …   Wikipedia Español

  • Alexandra Danilova — dans le rôle de Fanny Cerrito (Pas de deux), 1948 Alexandra Dionissievna Danilova (en russe : Александра Дионисиевна Данилова ; Peterhof, 20 novembre 190 …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Alexandra Danilova — Danilowa in Le Grand Pas de Quatre Alexandra Dionisewna Danilowa (russ. Александра Дионисиевна Данилова, wiss. Transliteration Alexandra Dionisievna Danilova, engl. Transskription Alexandra Dionysievna Danilova; * 20. November 1903 in Peterhof; † …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Danilova (crater) — Danilova crater as seen by the NASA Magellan spacecraft. Planet Venus Coordinates …   Wikipedia

  • Danilova, Alexandra (Dionisyevna) — born Nov. 20, 1903, Peterhof, Russia died July 13, 1997, New York, N.Y., U.S. Russian born U.S. ballet dancer and teacher. She attended the Imperial Ballet School in St. Petersburg and became a soloist at the Mariinsky Theatre. In 1924 she joined …   Universalium

  • Danílova, Alexandra (Dionisievna) — (20 nov. 1903, Peterhof, Rusia–13 jul. 1997, Nueva York, N.Y., EE.UU.). Bailarina y profesora de ballet estadounidense de origen ruso. Se formó en la Escuela de ballet del Teatro Imperial de San Petersburgo y llegó a ser solista del Teatro… …   Enciclopedia Universal

  • Alexandra Danilowa — Danilowa in Le Grand Pas de Quatre Alexandra Dionisewna Danilowa (russ. Александра Дионисиевна Данилова, wiss. Transliteration Alexandra Dionisievna Danilova, engl. Transskription Alexandra Dionysievna Danilova; * 20. November 1903 in Peterhof; † …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Alexandra Dionissijewna Danilowa — Danilowa in Le Grand Pas de Quatre Alexandra Dionissijewna Danilowa (russisch Александра Дионисиевна Данилова, wissenschaftliche Transliteration Alexandra Dionisievna Danilova, englische Transkription Alexandra Dionysievna Danilova; * 20.… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Danilova, Alexandra — ▪ 1998       Russian born American ballerina and teacher (b. Nov. 20, 1903, Peterhof [now Petrodvorets], Russia d. July 13, 1997, New York, N.Y.), possessed charm, vivacity, and flair, attributes that enhanced her excellent balletic technique and …   Universalium

  • Alexandra — /al ig zan dreuh, zahn /, n. 1. 1844 1925, queen consort of Edward VII of England. 2. Class. Myth. Cassandra (def. 1). 3. a female given name: derived from Alexander. * * * I Russian Aleksandra Fyodorovna orig. Alix, Princess von Hesse Darmstadt… …   Universalium

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