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 versatility. She captivated audiences while starring in such signature roles as Odette in Swan Lake, Swanilda in Coppélia, the cancan dancer in La Boutique fantasque, the street dancer in Le Beau Danube, and the glove seller in Gaîté Parisienne. Danilova was trained in St. Petersburg at the Imperial Ballet and the Soviet State Ballet schools and joined the Mariinsky Ballet (later renamed the Kirov Ballet), becoming soloist in 1922. In the summer of 1924, she joined a small ensemble led by George Balanchine for a tour of Western Europe. The group did not return to Russia, and in December they joined Sergey Diaghilev's Ballets Russes. Danilova performed with that company until it disbanded following Diaghilev's death (1929). After dancing in operas and appearing (1931-32) in the stage musical Waltzes from Vienna in London's West End, she joined (1933) Les Ballets Russes de Monte-Carlo and made her American debut. During the following years Danilova toured extensively with that company and the various successive Ballets Russes, as well as such companies as Sadler's Wells Ballet and, in 1954-56, her own Great Moments of Ballet. After her final ballet performance, in 1957 at a gala honouring her at New York City's Metropolitan Opera House, she returned to the stage for the Broadway musical Oh, Captain! In addition, Danilova choreographed for operas and made lecture tours, and in 1964 she joined the faculty of the School of American Ballet, where she became a highly respected and beloved teacher. She remained there until 1989, staging ballet excerpts for the school's workshop productions and full-length ballets for such companies as the New York City Ballet. Danilova appeared in the motion picture The Turning Point (1977) in a role based largely on herself and, with Holly Brubach, published her memoirs, Choura (1986). In 1989 she was a recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors.

* * *

▪ Russian ballerina

Russian in full  Aleksandra Dionisyevna Danilova  

born Nov. 20, 1903, Peterhof [now Petrodvorets], Russia

died July 13, 1997, New York, N.Y., U.S.

 prima ballerina who brought to American ballet the training and traditions of both the classical Russian and the modern Diaghilev repertoires.

      Danilova attended the Russian Imperial and Soviet State Ballet schools in Leningrad, where she studied under Agrippina Vaganova and became soloist at the Mariinsky (formerly Kirov) Theatre. In 1924 she visited western Europe with a small ballet ensemble headed by George Balanchine. The entire group joined Sergey Diaghilev's Ballets Russes and never returned to Russia. Danilova soon rose to prominence in the Diaghilev company, creating leading roles in Apollon Musagète, La Pastorale, and The Triumph of Neptune. After Diaghilev's death in 1929, she joined the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and, as its prima ballerina, made her American debut in 1933 and toured the United States extensively. Danilova appeared as guest artist with several ballet companies, including Sadler's Wells Ballet, and with her own company (Great Moments of Ballet, 1954–56) toured Japan, the Philippines, and South Africa. She won note both for her extensive repertoire, ranging from romantic to abstract Balanchine roles, and for the individuality of her characterizations, particularly the street dancer in Le Beau Danube, the glove seller in Gaîté Parisienne, Odette in Swan Lake, and Swanilda in Coppélia.

      Danilova also appeared in musical comedy (Oh Captain!, 1958), taught, and made lecture tours. She played a small but significant role in the motion picture The Turning Point (1977). As a faculty member of the School of American Ballet, she staged excerpts from classical ballets for the annual workshops and staged, with Balanchine, the full Coppélia for the New York City Ballet (1974–75). She also staged ballets for other companies.

* * *