Sonia Arova
Encyclopedia
Sonia Arova born was a Bulgaria
n ballerina
.
She was born as Sonia Errio in Sofia, Bulgaria, and began her training in Paris. With the beginning of the Second World War, she barely escaped the Nazi advance through a reckless flight which was attacked by German planes. She finally arrived in England, where she enrolled in an art school and eventually joined the International Ballet in 1942.
Arova worked as a principal ballerina in the Original Ballets Russes
, the London Festival Ballet, the Royal Ballet, and the American Ballet Theatre
. She danced with Rudolph Nureyev in their American debut. She was a great success, with kings and queens presenting her presents in appreciation of her work. She became Artistic Director
of the National Ballet of Norway in 1961.
In 1971 she co-directed the San Diego Ballet with her husband Thor Sutowski. The couple accepted teaching posts at the Alabama School of Fine Arts
in 1976. During their stay, she was artistic director of the Alabama Ballet. In 1996, the pair returned to San Diego, where her daughter Ariane lived.
, she was made a Dame by King Olaf V of Norway, becoming the second woman so distinguished.
Bulgaria
Bulgaria , officially the Republic of Bulgaria , is a parliamentary democracy within a unitary constitutional republic in Southeast Europe. The country borders Romania to the north, Serbia and Macedonia to the west, Greece and Turkey to the south, as well as the Black Sea to the east...
n ballerina
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 was born as Sonia Errio in Sofia, Bulgaria, and began her training in Paris. With the beginning of the Second World War, she barely escaped the Nazi advance through a reckless flight which was attacked by German planes. She finally arrived in England, where she enrolled in an art school and eventually joined the International Ballet in 1942.
Arova worked as a principal ballerina in the Original Ballets Russes
Ballets Russes
The Ballets Russes was an itinerant ballet company from Russia which performed between 1909 and 1929 in many countries. Directed by Sergei Diaghilev, it is regarded as the greatest ballet company of the 20th century. Many of its dancers originated from the Imperial Ballet of Saint Petersburg...
, the London Festival Ballet, the Royal Ballet, and the American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre , based in New York City, was one of the foremost ballet companies of the 20th century. It continues as a leading dance company in the world today...
. She danced with Rudolph Nureyev in their American debut. She was a great success, with kings and queens presenting her presents in appreciation of her work. She became Artistic Director
Artistic director
An artistic director is the executive of an arts organization, particularly in a theatre company, that handles the organization's artistic direction. He or she is generally a producer and director, but not in the sense of a mogul, since the organization is generally a non-profit organization...
of the National Ballet of Norway in 1961.
In 1971 she co-directed the San Diego Ballet with her husband Thor Sutowski. The couple accepted teaching posts at the Alabama School of Fine Arts
Alabama School of Fine Arts
The Alabama School of Fine Arts is a public, partially residential high school located in Birmingham, AL. The mission of the Alabama School of Fine Arts, a community of explorers, is to nurture impassioned students by guiding and inspiring them to discover and fulfill their individual creative...
in 1976. During their stay, she was artistic director of the Alabama Ballet. In 1996, the pair returned to San Diego, where her daughter Ariane lived.
Awards
In a ceremony at the United NationsUnited Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
, she was made a Dame by King Olaf V of Norway, becoming the second woman so distinguished.