Throwback
Thursday Prima Ballerina
The term “Prima
Ballerina” is sometimes used to describe any notable ballet dancer. But the
term is actually an awarded title, along with “Prima Ballerina Assoluta”, a
higher and rarer award. The term began during the Romantic era, in Italy and was
reserved for the best of the best.
Strangely,
for such a prestigious award, there is no universally accepted procedure for
determining who should receive the title. Usually, it is done within the dancer’s
own ballet company, but sometimes it is done by the government.
The first documented
use of the term as a form of company rank was in 1894. Marius Petipa bestowed
it upon Italian ballerina Pierina Legnani. Other dancers that hold this title
are Galina Ulanova, Alicia Alonso and Yvette Chauvirè, among others.
The United
States has no formal procedure for bestowing the title of Prima Ballerina.
From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets
Dance History Factoid #183:
“The term “prima ballerina” is an
awarded title.”
Link of the Day:
Quote of the Day:
“Mediocrity
knows nothing higher than itself; but talent instantly recognizes genius.”
― Arthur Conan Doyle, The Valley of Fear
― Arthur Conan Doyle, The Valley of Fear
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