Alexandra Danilova
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Aleksandra Dionisyevna Danilova (November 20, 1903-July 13, 1997) was a Russian-born prima ballerina assoluta who became an American citizen.
Born in Peterhof, Russia, she was trained at the two major schools in Leningrad (formerly and currently St. Petersburg), the Soviet State Ballet and Russian Imperial Ballet School. She was best known for being one of the few Russian-trained ballerinas to tour outside Russia. Her first professional post was as a member of the St. Petersburg's Imperial Ballet.
In 1924, she and George Balanchine left Russia. They were soon picked up by Serge Diaghilev's Ballets Russes; Danilova as a dancer, Balanchine as a choreographer. Danilova also toured for years with the Ballets Russes under Sergei Diaghilev, then with the Ballet Russe de Monto Carlo after Diaghilev's death. She was one of her generation's biggest stars, but Danilova was never good at handling her finances. Her last ballet performance was in 1951, but she made her Broadway musical comedy debut in 1958 in Oh, Captain!. She appeared in a single scene, a dance with the show's star, Tony Randall, which stole the show. Many have said it was the finest dance number in a post-war musical. Unfortunately, the show was a commercial failure and quickly closed. She was desperate when she again met Balanchine on the street in 1964. When he heard of her plight he instantly hired her to teach at the School of American Ballet. One of the most valued members of the faculty, she remained there until her retirement in 1989.
She had a long intimate relationship with George Balanchine although they never officially married. After their romance ended their professional partnership continued, as she taught many of his dancers at the School of American Ballet, and choreographed a version of Coppelia with Balanchine. She was married and divorced twice.
She published an autobiography called Choura, which was her nickname.
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