Nadia Nerina
Encyclopedia
Nadia Nerina was a South African ballerina
. She moved to England and joined the Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet
, where she became a prima ballerina at the age of 25. She was one of the first western dancers to appear with the Bolshoi Ballet
in Moscow during the Cold War
. She retired in 1969 and died in 2008 at her home in France.
as Nadine Judd. She took her first dancing lessons on medical advice, on account of her weak feet. Her very first stage appearance was at the age of eight or nine, when she was carried on as Cio-Cio's baby in a local production of Madame Butterfly. Her family moved to Durban
in 1939 and she began training with Eileen Keegan
(who had danced with Anna Pavlova) and Dorothea McNair.
at the Ballet Rambert. In 1946 she moved to the Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet
. In 1948 she danced the title role of the new production of Cinderella, taking over for Moira Shearer
.
Nerina became a prima ballerina in 1952. In 1960, she appeared as a guest artist with the Bolshoi Ballet
in Moscow and the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad
. She was hailed as a major star. Nureyev's defection in 1961, however, would somewhat disrupt her career.
She attended four Edinburgh festivals with the Royal Ballet, dancing in The Firebird (1952 and 1954),
Birthday Offering (1956) and Petrushka (1960).
. Its alumnae include Lynn Seymour
, Antoinette Sibley
and Deanne Bergsma
.
in 1996 for the anniversary performance of Sleeping Beauty to mark the company's 50th anniversary in the theatre.
Ballerina
A ballerina is a title used to describe a principal female professional ballet dancer in a large company; the male equivalent to this title is danseur or ballerino...
. She moved to England and joined the Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet
Birmingham Royal Ballet
Birmingham Royal Ballet is one of the three major ballet companies of the United Kingdom, alongside the Royal Ballet and the English National Ballet....
, where she became a prima ballerina at the age of 25. She was one of the first western dancers to appear with the Bolshoi Ballet
Bolshoi Ballet
The Bolshoi Ballet is an internationally renowned classical ballet company, based at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Russia. Founded in 1776, the Bolshoi is among the world's oldest ballet companies, however it only achieved worldwide acclaim by the early 20th century, when Moscow became the...
in Moscow during the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
. She retired in 1969 and died in 2008 at her home in France.
Early years in South Africa
Nerina was born in BloemfonteinBloemfontein
Bloemfontein is the capital city of the Free State Province of South Africa; and, as the judicial capital of the nation, one of South Africa's three national capitals – the other two being Cape Town, the legislative capital, and Pretoria, the administrative capital.Bloemfontein is popularly and...
as Nadine Judd. She took her first dancing lessons on medical advice, on account of her weak feet. Her very first stage appearance was at the age of eight or nine, when she was carried on as Cio-Cio's baby in a local production of Madame Butterfly. Her family moved to Durban
Durban
Durban is the largest city in the South African province of KwaZulu-Natal and the third largest city in South Africa. It forms part of the eThekwini metropolitan municipality. Durban is famous for being the busiest port in South Africa. It is also seen as one of the major centres of tourism...
in 1939 and she began training with Eileen Keegan
Eileen Keegan
Eileen Keegan was a South African ballet dancer and teacher. She initially trained in South Africa under Madge Mann and Nancy Hooper, before moving to London in 1932 to continue her training. She toured Europe with Molly Lake's company and went on a global tour with Dandre's Ballet Company...
(who had danced with Anna Pavlova) and Dorothea McNair.
Career in England
In 1945, she began training under Marie RambertMarie Rambert
Dame Marie Rambert DBE was a Polish-Jewish dancer and dance pedagogue who exerted a great influence on British ballet, both as a dancer and teacher.- Early years and background :...
at the Ballet Rambert. In 1946 she moved to the Sadler's Wells Theatre Ballet
Birmingham Royal Ballet
Birmingham Royal Ballet is one of the three major ballet companies of the United Kingdom, alongside the Royal Ballet and the English National Ballet....
. In 1948 she danced the title role of the new production of Cinderella, taking over for Moira Shearer
Moira Shearer
Moira Shearer, Lady Kennedy , was an internationally famous Scottish ballet dancer and actress.-Early life:She was born Moira Shearer King in Dunfermline, Fife, Scotland, the daughter of actor Harold V. King...
.
Nerina became a prima ballerina in 1952. In 1960, she appeared as a guest artist with the Bolshoi Ballet
Bolshoi Ballet
The Bolshoi Ballet is an internationally renowned classical ballet company, based at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow, Russia. Founded in 1776, the Bolshoi is among the world's oldest ballet companies, however it only achieved worldwide acclaim by the early 20th century, when Moscow became the...
in Moscow and the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad
Leningrad
Leningrad is the former name of Saint Petersburg, Russia.Leningrad may also refer to:- Places :* Leningrad Oblast, a federal subject of Russia, around Saint Petersburg* Leningrad, Tajikistan, capital of Muminobod district in Khatlon Province...
. She was hailed as a major star. Nureyev's defection in 1961, however, would somewhat disrupt her career.
She attended four Edinburgh festivals with the Royal Ballet, dancing in The Firebird (1952 and 1954),
Birthday Offering (1956) and Petrushka (1960).
Nerina's leadership of the Royal Ballet
The Royal Ballet company would be later led by Nerina and Margot FonteynMargot Fonteyn
Dame Margot Fonteyn de Arias, DBE , was an English ballerina of the 20th century. She is widely regarded as one of the greatest classical ballet dancers of all time...
. Its alumnae include Lynn Seymour
Lynn Seymour
Lynn Seymour is a retired Canadian ballerina and choreographer.She was born Lynn Springbett and studied ballet in Vancouver....
, Antoinette Sibley
Antoinette Sibley
Dame Antoinette Sibley, DBE is an English prima ballerina. She joined the Royal Ballet in 1956 and became a soloist in 1960. During her time there she was the Royal Ballet's most popular star...
and Deanne Bergsma
Deanne Bergsma
Deanne Bergsma is a retired South African ballerina. She was born in Pretoria and became a member of the Royal Ballet in 1958. She became a principal of the company in 1967. She created the role of Lady Mary Lygon in Ashton's Enigma Variations and a principal part in Tetley's Field Figures...
.
Family & later years
In 1969 Nadia Nerina and her husband, the banker Charles Gordon (who survives her) retired to France but she returned to Covent GardenCovent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
in 1996 for the anniversary performance of Sleeping Beauty to mark the company's 50th anniversary in the theatre.
Roles created
- Andree Howard's Mardi gras (1946)
- Frederick AshtonFrederick AshtonSir Frederick William Mallandaine Ashton OM, CH, CBE was a leading international dancer and choreographer. He is most noted as the founder choreographer of The Royal Ballet in London, but also worked as a director and choreographer of opera, film and theatre revues.-Early life:Ashton was born at...
's CinderellaCinderella (comic ballet)This version of the Cinderella ballet, using Sergei Prokofiev's "Cinderella" music, and re-choreographed by choreographer Frederick Ashton, is a comic ballet.-Ballet productions:- Plot outline :...
(1948) - Homage to the QueenHomage to the QueenHomage to the Queen, Op. 42 by Malcolm Arnold was written as the official coronation ballet in 1953, commissioned by the Sadlers' Wells Ballet in honour of Queen Elizabeth II, the ballet company's musical adviser Humphrey Searle having recommended Arnold for the job.The original choreography was...
(1953) - Variations on a Theme by Purcell (1955)
- Birthday Offering (1956)
- La Fille Mal GardéeLa Fille Mal GardéeLa Fille mal gardée is a comic ballet presented in two acts, inspired by Pierre-Antoine Baudouin's 1789 painting, La réprimande/Une jeune fille querellée par sa mère...
(1960) - Kenneth MacMillanKenneth MacMillanSir Kenneth MacMillan was a British ballet dancer and choreographer. He was artistic director of the Royal Ballet in London between 1970 and 1977.-Early years:...
's NoctambulesNoctambulesNoctambules is a ballet created in 1956 by Kenneth MacMillan for the Sadler's Wells Ballet. The ballet was choreographed to Humphrey Searle's Noctambules, Op. 30 written for the ballet. The set and costumes were designed by Nicholas Georgiadis...
' (1956) - Robert HelpmannRobert HelpmannSir Robert Helpmann CBE was an Australian dancer, actor, theatre director and choreographer.-Early years:He was born Robert Murray Helpman in Mount Gambier, South Australia and also boarded at Prince Alfred College in Adelaide. From childhood, Helpman had a strong desire to be a dancer...
's Elektra (1963) - Peter DarrellPeter DarrellPeter Darrell CBE, a ballet choreographer, dancer and founder of the Scottish Ballet, was born Peter Skinner at Richmond, Surrey, on 16 September 1929 and died in Glasgow on 2 December 1987. For almost four decades he had been one of the most productive and imaginative talents in British ballet...
's Home (1965)
External links
- Recollections of Nadia Nerina
- Encyclopædia Britannica Article on Nadia Nerina
- NPG
- Ballet magazine (March 1998)
- Nadia Nerina at the Ballerina Gallery
- http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/3155126/Nadia-Nerina.htmlobituary from The TelegraphThe Daily TelegraphThe Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
, "Technically brilliant leading ballerina with the Royal Ballet for whom Ashton created 'La Fille mal gardée'", 7 October 2008] - Obituary from the Washington Post, 9 October 2008
- Obituary from the NY Times, 10 October 2008