André Prokovsky
Encyclopedia
André Prokovsky was a principal dancer with New York City Ballet
from 1963 to 1967 and roles in George Balanchine
’s 1965 Pas de Deux
and Divertissement
and 1966 Brahms–Schoenberg Quartet with Melissa Hayden his partner in both.
Born of Russian parents Prokovsky made his stage debut in 1954 with the Comédie-Française
in a production of Molière
’s Amants Magnifiques, then danced in ballet troupes directed by Roland Petit
and Janine Charrat joining the London Festival Ballet as a soloist in 1957, where he was promoted to principal dancer in 1958.
Prokovsky joined the Grand Ballet of the Marquis de Cuevas in 1960, New York City Ballet in 1963 and returned to the London Festival Ballet in 1967, where he danced with his wife Galina Samsova
. In 1972 they formed the New London Ballet, which toured Britain, Europe, Asia, South America and the United States with repertory including his first choreographic works.
After the company disbanded in 1977, Prokovsky became ballet director of the Rome Opera House for two years and then devoted himself to choreography, particularly full-evening productions of familiar stories from literature or opera:
He also staged dance sequences for operatic productions by the Paris Opera
and the Washington National Opera
.
New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet is a ballet company founded in 1948 by choreographer George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein. Leon Barzin was the company's first music director. Balanchine and Jerome Robbins are considered the founding choreographers of the company...
from 1963 to 1967 and roles in George Balanchine
George Balanchine
George Balanchine , born Giorgi Balanchivadze in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to a Georgian father and a Russian mother, was one of the 20th century's most famous choreographers, a developer of ballet in the United States, co-founder and balletmaster of New York City Ballet...
’s 1965 Pas de Deux
Pas de deux
In ballet, a pas de deux is a duet in which ballet dancers perform the dance together. It usually consists of an entrée, adagio, two variations , and a coda.-Notable Pas de deux:...
and Divertissement
Divertissement
Divertissement is used, in a similar sense to the Italian 'divertimento', for a light piece of music for a small group of players, however the French term has additional meanings....
and 1966 Brahms–Schoenberg Quartet with Melissa Hayden his partner in both.
Born of Russian parents Prokovsky made his stage debut in 1954 with the Comédie-Française
Comédie-Française
The Comédie-Française or Théâtre-Français is one of the few state theaters in France. It is the only state theater to have its own troupe of actors. It is located in the 1st arrondissement of Paris....
in a production of Molière
Molière
Jean-Baptiste Poquelin, known by his stage name Molière, was a French playwright and actor who is considered to be one of the greatest masters of comedy in Western literature...
’s Amants Magnifiques, then danced in ballet troupes directed by Roland Petit
Roland Petit
Roland Petit was a French choreographer and dancer born in Villemomble, near Paris, France. He trained at the Paris Opéra Ballet school, and became well known for his creative ballets.-Biography:...
and Janine Charrat joining the London Festival Ballet as a soloist in 1957, where he was promoted to principal dancer in 1958.
Prokovsky joined the Grand Ballet of the Marquis de Cuevas in 1960, New York City Ballet in 1963 and returned to the London Festival Ballet in 1967, where he danced with his wife Galina Samsova
Galina Samsova
Galina Samsova is a retired Russian ballerina. She studied at the Kiev Ballet School and in 1956 graduated into the Kiev Ballet where she became a soloist. In 1960 she married the Canadian Alexander Ursuliak and moved to Canada where she joined the National Ballet of Canada in 1961...
. In 1972 they formed the New London Ballet, which toured Britain, Europe, Asia, South America and the United States with repertory including his first choreographic works.
After the company disbanded in 1977, Prokovsky became ballet director of the Rome Opera House for two years and then devoted himself to choreography, particularly full-evening productions of familiar stories from literature or opera:
- 1979 Anna KareninaAnna KareninaAnna Karenina is a novel by the Russian writer Leo Tolstoy, published in serial installments from 1873 to 1877 in the periodical The Russian Messenger...
, Australian Ballet - 1980 The Three MusketeersThe Three MusketeersThe Three Musketeers is a novel by Alexandre Dumas, first serialized in March–July 1844. Set in the 17th century, it recounts the adventures of a young man named d'Artagnan after he leaves home to travel to Paris, to join the Musketeers of the Guard...
, Australian Ballet - 1983 Dr. Zhivago, CAPAB BalletCape Town City BalletThe Cape Town City Ballet Company, formerly known as the CAPAB Ballet Company, is based in Cape Town, South Africa.-History:The Cape Town City Ballet originates from the UCT Ballet Company, which was established by Dulcie Howes in 1934. This became the CAPAB Ballet Company under the directorship...
, South Africa - 1985 Romeo and Juliet, London City Ballet
- 1989 La TraviataLa traviataLa traviata is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi set to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave. It is based on La dame aux Camélias , a play adapted from the novel by Alexandre Dumas, fils. The title La traviata means literally The Fallen Woman, or perhaps more figuratively, The Woman...
, London City Ballet
He also staged dance sequences for operatic productions by the Paris Opera
Paris Opera
The Paris Opera is the primary opera company of Paris, France. It was founded in 1669 by Louis XIV as the Académie d'Opéra and shortly thereafter was placed under the leadership of Jean-Baptiste Lully and renamed the Académie Royale de Musique...
and the Washington National Opera
Washington National Opera
The Washington National Opera is an opera company in Washington, D.C., USA. Formerly the Opera Society of Washington and the Washington Opera, the company received Congressional designation as the National Opera Company in 2000. Performances are now given in the Opera House of the John F...
.
Obituaries
- http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/21/arts/dance/21prokovsky.htmlNY Times by Jack AndersonJack Anderson (dance critic)Jack Anderson is an American dance critic and author. Since 1978, he has been a contributor of dance reviews and other articles in The New York Times...
, August 20th, 2009]