Throwback
Thursday and Nathalie Krassovska
Born on June 3, 1917, in Russia, Russian-Scottish
Nathalie Leslie Krassovska grew up in Western Europe and received her dance
training in Paris and London. She danced in Balanchine’s short-lived Les
Ballets 1933, but first gained recognition
in 1936 as a member of Les Ballets de Monte Carlo. Here she met Michel
Fokine who coached her in many of his pieces.
In 1938 this company merged with a
company called the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, and Nathalie Krassovska became
one of its principal dancers. The company soon established its base in the
United States.
She first performed Giselle in Montreal in 1949, and it soon became her signature role.
Acclaimed as a great beauty, she was known for her lyricism and purity of style
but also performed unexpected roles such as characters in comedies by Massine.
In 1950 she joined the London Festival
Ballet, where sh remained until 1955. In Great Britain she danced under her
given name, Natalie Leslie.
In 1963 she settled in Dallas where she
established a school and student company called Ballet Jeunesse. She died from
surgical complications on February 8, 2005 and is buried in Restland Memorial
Park in Dallas.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets
Dance History Factoid #144:
“Ballet Russes dancer Nathalie Krassovska was known
for her lyricism.”
Link of the Day:
Quote of the Day:
"It was a very hard decision…"
-
Nathalie
Krassovska on turning down a movie contract from
David O.
Selznick
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