Nicholas Magallanes
Encyclopedia
Nicholas Magallanes was a first-generation principal dancer with the New York City Ballet
. Along with Jerome Robbins
, Francisco Moncion and Maria Tallchief
, Magallanes was among the core group of dancers with which George Balanchine
and Lincoln Kirstein
formed the New York City Ballet
(formerly Ballet Society) in 1948. Magallanes created the title rôle in Balanchine's "Orpheus
" to music by Stravinsky, the ballet that marked the debut of the new company.
Magallanes was born in Camargo
, Mexico
. He began his ballet studies at Balanchine's School of American Ballet
in 1938. Prior to the formation of City Ballet, Magallanes danced with Ballet Caravan and the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo
.
More highly regarded for his partnering skills than for his technical virtuosity, Magallanes nonetheless projected a strong personal magnetism on stage. During his career at City Ballet he had leading rôles in Balanchine's "Western Symphony," "Liebeslieder Walzer," "Serenade," "Concerto Barocco," and "The Four Temperaments." He also created the rôles of the poet Arthur Rimbaud
in Frederick Ashton
's "Illuminations (1950) and the Victim in Jerome Robbins's "The Cage" (1951). He retired from the company in 1976. His last rôle was that of Don Quixote in Balanchine's ballet of the same name, opposite Balanchine's muse Suzanne Farrell
. Magallanes died the following year of lung cancer.
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...
. Along with Jerome Robbins
Jerome Robbins
Jerome Robbins was an American theater producer, director, and choreographer known primarily for Broadway Theater and Ballet/Dance, but who also occasionally directed films and directed/produced for television. His work has included everything from classical ballet to contemporary musical theater...
, Francisco Moncion and Maria Tallchief
Maria Tallchief
Maria Tallchief was the first native-American prima ballerina. From 1942 to 1947 she danced with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo, but she is best known for her time with the New York City Ballet from 1947 to 1965.-Early life:...
, Magallanes was among the core group of dancers with which 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...
and Lincoln Kirstein
Lincoln Kirstein
Lincoln Edward Kirstein was an American writer, impresario, art connoisseur, and cultural figure in New York City...
formed the New York City Ballet
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...
(formerly Ballet Society) in 1948. Magallanes created the title rôle in Balanchine's "Orpheus
Orpheus
Orpheus was a legendary musician, poet, and prophet in ancient Greek religion and myth. The major stories about him are centered on his ability to charm all living things and even stones with his music; his attempt to retrieve his wife from the underworld; and his death at the hands of those who...
" to music by Stravinsky, the ballet that marked the debut of the new company.
Magallanes was born in Camargo
Camargo
Camargo may refer to one of these places:Places Bolivia:* Camargo, Chuquisaca Brazil:* Camargo, Rio Grande do Sul Mexico:* Camargo, Chihuahua* Camargo, Tamaulipas Spain:...
, Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
. He began his ballet studies at Balanchine's School of American Ballet
School of American Ballet
The School of American Ballet is one of the most famous classical ballet schools in the world and is the associate school of the New York City Ballet, a leading international ballet company based at the Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. The school trains students from the...
in 1938. Prior to the formation of City Ballet, Magallanes danced with Ballet Caravan and the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo
Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo
Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo was a ballet company created by members of the Ballets Russes de Monte-Carlo in 1938 after Léonide Massine and René Blum had a falling-out with the co-founder Wassily de Basil...
.
More highly regarded for his partnering skills than for his technical virtuosity, Magallanes nonetheless projected a strong personal magnetism on stage. During his career at City Ballet he had leading rôles in Balanchine's "Western Symphony," "Liebeslieder Walzer," "Serenade," "Concerto Barocco," and "The Four Temperaments." He also created the rôles of the poet Arthur Rimbaud
Arthur Rimbaud
Jean Nicolas Arthur Rimbaud was a French poet. Born in Charleville, Ardennes, he produced his best known works while still in his late teens—Victor Hugo described him at the time as "an infant Shakespeare"—and he gave up creative writing altogether before the age of 21. As part of the decadent...
in Frederick Ashton
Frederick Ashton
Sir 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 "Illuminations (1950) and the Victim in Jerome Robbins's "The Cage" (1951). He retired from the company in 1976. His last rôle was that of Don Quixote in Balanchine's ballet of the same name, opposite Balanchine's muse Suzanne Farrell
Suzanne Farrell
Suzanne Farrell is an eminent 20th century ballerina and the founder of the Suzanne Farrell Ballet at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C....
. Magallanes died the following year of lung cancer.