Alexandra Danilova

Russian Ballerina

Alexandra

Danilova, Russian

in

full Aleksandra

Dionisyevna

Danilova (born November 20, 1903, Peterhof, Russiadied July 13, 1997, New York, New
York, U.S.) prima ballerina who brought to American ballet the training and traditions of both
the classical Russian and the mpodern Diaghilev repertoires.
Danilova attended the Russian Imperial and Soviet State Ballet schools in Leningrad,
where she studied under Agrippina Vaganova and became soloist at the Mariinsky (formerly
Kirov) Theatre. In 1924 she visited western Europe with a small ballet ensemble headed by
George Balanchine. The entire group joined Serge Diaghilevs Ballets Russes and never returned
to Russia. Danilova soon rose to prominence in the Diaghilev company, creating leading roles
in Apollon Musagte, La Pastorale, and The Triumph of Neptune. After Diaghilevs death in
1929, she joined the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and, as its prima ballerina, made her American
debut in 1933 and toured the United States extensively. Danilova appeared as guest artist with
several ballet companies, including Sadlers Wells Ballet, and with her own company (Great
Moments of Ballet, 195456) toured Japan, the Philippines, and South Africa. She won note both
for her extensive repertoire, ranging from romantic to abstract Balanchine roles, and for the
individuality of her characterizations, particularly the street dancer in Le Beau Danube, the glove
seller in Gat Parisienne, Odette in Swan Lake, and Swanilda in Copplia.
Danilova also appeared in musical comedy (Oh Captain!, 1958), taught, and made lecture
tours. She played a small but significant role in the motion picture The Turning Point (1977). As
a faculty member of the School of American Ballet, she staged excerpts from classical ballets for

the annual workshops and staged, with Balanchine, the full Copplia for the New York City
Ballet (197475). She also staged ballets for other companies.