Throwback Thursday and Violette Verdy
Born Nelly Armande Guillerm on December 1, 1933, Violette
Verdy joined NYC Ballet when she was 25 years old. She had already achieved
acclaim dancing for Roland Petit’s company in France, as well as a season with
American Ballet Theatre. According to Roland Petit, Balanchine was attracted to
Violette Verdy’s dancing because she had something his company didn’t have: a
dramatic flair that was in contrast to the pure-movement style that was
Balanchine’s signature.
When Balanchine invited her to join his company, she was
surprised – she felt that she wouldn’t fit it. She said she feared “his dancers
were Borzois and she was a French poodle”. But she went on to create some of
the most memorable roles in the repertoire of NYC Ballet: “Tchaikovsky Pas de
Deux”; “Emeralds”, “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, and “Dances at a Gathering”.
In 1977, she retired from performing with NYC Ballet and
became the director of the Paris Opera Ballet. Three years later, she became
co-artistic director of the Boston Ballet, where she remained until 1984. At
Indiana University she was named a distinguished professor, and she was a
beloved teacher and mentor to many dancers.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:
Dance History Factoid #103:
“Violette Verdy
created many memorable roles in the New York City Ballet.”
Link of the Day:
Quote
of the Day:
“It should be like stirring mayonnaise.”
-Violette Verdy (coaching a dancer on how
to perform a circular movement)
Help expand the knowledge base!
Leave a comment about any instructions, ideas,
or images that worked best for you!
Want to know more about me? Read my interview at Ballet Connections:
Or "Like" me on my Facebook Author Page:
No comments:
Post a Comment