Phyllis Spira
Encyclopedia
Phyllis Bernice Spira was a South African ballerina
and was awarded the title of prima ballerina assoluta
in 1984.The latter statement is not entirely secure, despite its repetition in several obituaries: see talk page. She was the daughter of Lazar and Fanny Pauline (née Rosen) Spira. She was often compared to the great dancer Alicia Markova
by contemporaries and critics. Ninette de Valois
referred to her as "a baby Markova", while the editor of Dance & Dancers, Peter Williams, said that "Spira looked uncannily like Markova as well as having a flavour of Fonteyn, but with an approach all her own."
, in 1959, she was accepted into the Royal Ballet School
and soon afterwards joined the Royal Ballet Touring Company. As a soloist with the company she toured extensively in Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. In 1964, she turned down an international career and refused an invitation to dance with the legendary Rudolf Nureyev
because she wanted only to be a full-time dancer in South Africa.
She returned to South Africa in 1964 to join the PACT Ballet Company, before moving to CAPAB the following year. She toured with the National Ballet of Canada
from 1967–1968. She remained at CAPAB for the next 28 years. She gained the status of Prima Ballerina Assoluta
in 1984. She was known for her partnerships with Gary Burne and Eduard Greyling
. Her dance career ended in 1988 after an injury on the opening night of Giselle, but she had remained involved in the ballet world as Principal Ballet Mistress of CAPAB, until 1999 during which time it was renamed the Cape Town City Ballet Company. She and her husband, Philip Boyd, ran the Dance For All Programme which is based in the townships of Gugulethu, Nyanga
and Khayelitsha
around Cape Town
.
by the President of South Africa, a rare title held by only eight people worldwide.
In 1991, she received South Africa's highest civilian award for excellence, the Order of Meritorious Service Gold. She twice received the Nederburg Award for Ballet, and also was awarded the Lilian Solomon Award and the Bellarte Woman of the Year Award for the Cape (1979). In 2000, the Cape Tercentenary Foundation
awarded her the Molteno Medal for lifetime achievement in the performing arts.
In 2003, she was named a member of the Order of the Disa for her contribution to ballet and the development of ballet in disadvantaged communities.
; they had no children.
.
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...
and was awarded the title of prima ballerina assoluta
Prima ballerina assoluta
Prima ballerina assoluta is a rank or title given to notable female ballet dancers. To be recognised as a prima ballerina assoluta is a very rare honour, reserved only for the most exceptional soloists, usually those who have achieved international acclaim....
in 1984.The latter statement is not entirely secure, despite its repetition in several obituaries: see talk page. She was the daughter of Lazar and Fanny Pauline (née Rosen) Spira. She was often compared to the great dancer Alicia Markova
Alicia Markova
Dame Alicia Markova, DBE, DMus, was an English ballerina and a choreographer, director and teacher of classical ballet. Most noted for her career with Sergei Diaghilev's Ballets Russes and touring internationally, she was widely considered to be one of the greatest classical ballet dancers of the...
by contemporaries and critics. Ninette de Valois
Ninette de Valois
Dame Ninette de Valois, OM, CH, DBE, FRAD, FISTD was an Irish-born British dancer, teacher, choreographer and director of classical ballet...
referred to her as "a baby Markova", while the editor of Dance & Dancers, Peter Williams, said that "Spira looked uncannily like Markova as well as having a flavour of Fonteyn, but with an approach all her own."
Biography
Educated at the Waverley GHS in JohannesburgJohannesburg
Johannesburg also known as Jozi, Jo'burg or Egoli, is the largest city in South Africa, by population. Johannesburg is the provincial capital of Gauteng, the wealthiest province in South Africa, having the largest economy of any metropolitan region in Sub-Saharan Africa...
, in 1959, she was accepted into the Royal Ballet School
Royal Ballet School
The Royal Ballet School is one of the most famous classical ballet schools in the world and is the associate school of the Royal Ballet, a leading international ballet company based at the Royal Opera House in London...
and soon afterwards joined the Royal Ballet Touring Company. As a soloist with the company she toured extensively in Europe, the Middle East and the Far East. In 1964, she turned down an international career and refused an invitation to dance with the legendary Rudolf Nureyev
Rudolf Nureyev
Rudolf Khametovich Nureyev was a Russian dancer, considered one of the most celebrated ballet dancers of the 20th century. Nureyev's artistic skills explored expressive areas of the dance, providing a new role to the male ballet dancer who once served only as support to the women.In 1961 he...
because she wanted only to be a full-time dancer in South Africa.
She returned to South Africa in 1964 to join the PACT Ballet Company, before moving to CAPAB the following year. She toured with the National Ballet of Canada
National Ballet of Canada
The National Ballet of Canada is Canada's largest ballet troupe. It was founded by Celia Franca in 1951 and is based in Toronto, Ontario. Based upon the unity of Canadian trained dancers in the tradition and style of England's Royal Ballet, The National is regarded as one of the premier classical...
from 1967–1968. She remained at CAPAB for the next 28 years. She gained the status of Prima Ballerina Assoluta
Prima ballerina assoluta
Prima ballerina assoluta is a rank or title given to notable female ballet dancers. To be recognised as a prima ballerina assoluta is a very rare honour, reserved only for the most exceptional soloists, usually those who have achieved international acclaim....
in 1984. She was known for her partnerships with Gary Burne and Eduard Greyling
Eduard Greyling
Eduard Greyling is a retired South African ballet dancer. He is the son of Ferdinand Jacobus Greyling and his wife, Jacomina Nicolasina Heyneman. He matriculated from DF Malan High School in Bellville, Cape Town in 1965.-Biography:He studied at the UCT Ballet School and joined CAPAB in 1967...
. Her dance career ended in 1988 after an injury on the opening night of Giselle, but she had remained involved in the ballet world as Principal Ballet Mistress of CAPAB, until 1999 during which time it was renamed the Cape Town City Ballet Company. She and her husband, Philip Boyd, ran the Dance For All Programme which is based in the townships of Gugulethu, Nyanga
Nyanga, Cape Town
Nyanga is a township in Cape Town, South Africa. Its name in Xhosa means ‘moon’ and it is one of the oldest black townships in Cape Town. It was established as a result of the migrant labor system. In the early fifties black migrants were forced to settle in Nyanga as Langa became too small. ...
and Khayelitsha
Khayelitsha
Khayelitsha is a partially informal township in Western Cape, South Africa, located on the Cape Flats in the City of Cape Town. The name is Xhosa for New Home...
around Cape Town
Cape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
.
Awards
In 1984, she was made a prima ballerina assolutaPrima ballerina assoluta
Prima ballerina assoluta is a rank or title given to notable female ballet dancers. To be recognised as a prima ballerina assoluta is a very rare honour, reserved only for the most exceptional soloists, usually those who have achieved international acclaim....
by the President of South Africa, a rare title held by only eight people worldwide.
In 1991, she received South Africa's highest civilian award for excellence, the Order of Meritorious Service Gold. She twice received the Nederburg Award for Ballet, and also was awarded the Lilian Solomon Award and the Bellarte Woman of the Year Award for the Cape (1979). In 2000, the Cape Tercentenary Foundation
The Cape Tercentenary Foundation
The Cape Tercentenary Foundation was set up in 1950 by brothers Edward and Harry Molteno, pioneers of the Cape fruit industry. The influential exporters were great appreciators of music and the arts, and were deeply concerned about the natural environment...
awarded her the Molteno Medal for lifetime achievement in the performing arts.
In 2003, she was named a member of the Order of the Disa for her contribution to ballet and the development of ballet in disadvantaged communities.
Personal life
Phyllis Spira married Philip Boyd, a fellow former member of CAPAB, on 21 December 1986 in Cape TownCape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
; they had no children.
Death
After a foot injury in August 2007 in London, she underwent a series of operations on both legs. Complications set in and she again underwent surgery which she did not survive. She died on Tuesday 11 March 2008, aged 64, at Kingsbury Hospital, Cape TownCape Town
Cape Town is the second-most populous city in South Africa, and the provincial capital and primate city of the Western Cape. As the seat of the National Parliament, it is also the legislative capital of the country. It forms part of the City of Cape Town metropolitan municipality...
.
Secondary sources
- Botha, Amanda, Phyllis Spira: A Tribute. Human & Rousseau, Cape Town. ISBN 0-7981-2235-8
Obituaries
- http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/17/arts/dance/17spira.html?ex=1206417600&en=9d558fa5b169ecc2&ei=5070NY Times by Roslyn SulcasRoslyn SulcasRoslyn Sulcas is a dance critic for the New York Times. She grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, and studied English literature in college, receiving a post-graduate degree from York University in England. While finishing her thesis she lived in Paris, where she began writing for the British Dance...
, 17 March 2008] - Last bow for Phyllis Spira
- Prima ballerina Phyllis Spira dies
- Prima ballerina Phyllis Spira dead at 64, Mail & Guardian Online, 12 March 2008
- Emotional farewell to Spira, News24, 13 March 2008
- Times Online Obituary