- Kronstam, Henning
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▪ 1996Danish ballet dancer (b. June 29, 1934, Copenhagen, Den.—d. May 28, 1995, Copenhagen), during his performing career with the Royal Danish Ballet, was an outstanding interpreter of roles in a variety of choreographic styles. In some 130 roles he excelled in ballets ranging from the traditional works of the noted 19th-century Danish choreographer August Bournonville to such more modern ones as George Balanchine's Apollo and José Limón's The Moor's Pavane. Kronstam received his dance training at the Royal Danish Ballet School—being especially influenced by the Russian teacher Vera Volkova, who had begun teaching there in 1951—and joined the company in 1952. In 1955 he was chosen to create the role of Romeo in Frederick Ashton's Romeo and Juliet, the first non-Soviet choreography to the Prokofiev score. Another role that especially displayed his style and technique was James in La Sylphide, which also showcased his partnership with Kirsten Simone. Kronstam moved into character roles as he grew older, notably Lord Capulet in Romeo and Juliet and Peppo in Napoli. He also became a teacher at the company's school and later its director, and from 1978 to 1985 he served as the artistic director of the company. The Bournonville festival he organized (1979) to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the choreographer's death attracted an international audience. All of Bournonville's complete surviving ballets were presented. Kronstam was named a Knight of the Order of Dannebrog in 1964.
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▪ Danish dancerborn June 29, 1934, Copenhagen, Denmarkdied May 28, 1995, CopenhagenDanish dancer and artistic director of the Royal Danish Ballet. He was known as an outstanding interpreter of roles in a variety of choreographic styles.Kronstam was trained as a dancer at the Royal Danish Ballet School and joined the Royal Danish Ballet in 1952. He was one of the first Danish male dancers to be trained by the Russian teacher Vera Volkova (Volkova, Vera) after she emigrated to Denmark. In one of Kronstam's early performances, he created the role of Romeo in Frederick Ashton (Ashton, Sir Frederick)'s successful Romeo and Juliet (1955). This was a particular honour for the young dancer because it was the first full-length Romeo and Juliet to be produced outside of the Soviet Union. During his career, Kronstam performed some 130 roles, including all the great parts in the ballets of the 19th-century Danish choreographer August Bournonville (Bournonville, August). A danseur noble, he was especially known for his performances as James in La Sylphide and Albrecht in Giselle. He was also considered an outstanding dancer in the classical repertory, and, as he grew older, he moved into character roles, notably Lord Capulet in Romeo and Juliet and Peppo in Napoli. Other acclaimed performances include Jean in Miss Julie, Nilas in Moon Reindeer, and the title role in Cyrano de Bergerac.In 1965 Kronstam became director of the Royal Danish Ballet, and in 1978 he succeeded Flemming Flindt to become artistic director. The following year he organized the Bournonville festival to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the choreographer's death. The weeklong festival, which attracted an international audience, presented all of Bournonville's complete surviving ballets. After resigning as artistic director in 1985, Kronstam continued to be active in the Royal Danish Ballet, teaching and producing. He was also director of the Royal Danish Ballet School.* * *
Universalium. 2010.
