Thursday, September 18, 2014

Throwback Thursday and Marie Rambert

Throwback Thursday and Marie Rambert

Marie Rambert was such a restless child in school that she received bad grades because of her endless movement.  However, she was extremely bright and most subjects came easily to her.  She began her dance training early and one instructor commented that “in her, was the true spirit of the dance”.  Her parents hoped she would make a career in medicine, but dance proved to be too strong a passion, especially after she attended a performance by Isadora Duncan.

In 1913 Marie Rambert was hired by Diaghilev to teach the company dancers the concepts of Emile Jaques-Dalcroze, the originator of eurhythmics.  She was influential in Nijinsky’s choreography of Afternoon of a Faun and the ballet that caused a riot at its premiere, The Rite of Spring.  While she was working with the Ballet Russe, she studied with Cecchetti and later joined the corps de ballet of Diaghilev’s company.

Marie Rambert is best known as a teacher and founder of the company Ballet Rambert.  One of her students was Frederick Ashton who directed The Royal Ballet for many years, and another famous pupil was the choreographer Antony Tudor.  Although known as a difficult taskmaster, she was also known for her great support of young dancers and choreographers, and she helped foster the development of English ballet.

For her part in the development of English ballet she was made Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1954 and Dame of the Order of the British Empire in 1962.

From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Secret #47:  
“Marie Rambert founded the oldest English ballet company that is still performing.”

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