brbropus39 Posted December 9, 2004 Author Share Posted December 9, 2004 I completely agree about Carla Fracci. I cannot believe I forgot to include her. In my opinion, she is by far the most gorgeous ballerina ever. I have a book called "The making of a dance: Medea" with her, Baryshnikov, and the choreographer, John Butler. In the book, she is much more mature than in the other books and videos I have seen of her, and I think it makes her all the more beautiful. I also emphasize Stella Abrera. She was on the cover of Dance Magazine earlier this year and, as it says in the magazine, "Her glamour and sex appeal come from another era." Link to comment
tempusfugit Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 Altynai Asylmuratova Carla Fracci Janie Parker Kay Mazzo Mimi Paul Jennifer Penney Toni Lander Diana Adams Jillana Allegra Kent Svetlana Beriosova Moira Shearer Galina Ulanova Pearl Argyle Tamara Toumanova Tamara Geva Link to comment
Cygnet Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 Altynai Asylmuratova: For me she is number one. The following are in no particular order: Maya Plisetskaya Patricia McBride Allegra Kent Zizi Jeanmaire Uliana Lapotkina Marguerite Porter Larissa Lezhnina Yvette Chauvire Tamara Karsavina Elisabeth Platel Daria Pavlenko Svetlana Beriosova Carla Fracci Lubov Kunakova Alla Shelest Ludmilla Semenyaka Ekaterina Maximova (for eternal youth) Link to comment
Old Fashioned Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 Ghislaine Thesmar. I've only seen her on a La Sylphide video, but she and Michael Denard were a dream. Link to comment
Paul Parish Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 o what fun!! Karsavina Pavlova Fonteyn Sibley (VERY beautiful woman, and with Karsavina's coaching, she had exquisite line) Farrell Kent Paul Verdy Adams LeClerq Thesmar lis Jeppesen Rose Gad Maximova Carolyn Brown Julie Diana Link to comment
perky Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 I forgot one: Stephanie Saland Link to comment
jorgen Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 Some Danish stunning beauties: Mette Hønningen Silja Schandorff Mette Bødtcher Kirsten Simone Rest of the world: Altynai Asylmuratova Alina Cojocaru Violetta Elvin Margot Fonteyn Carla Fracci Irina Kolpakova Agnès Letestu Anya Linden Elizabeth Loscavio Svetlana Lunkina Ekaterina Maximova Ludmila Semenyaka Polina Semionova Moira Shearer Antoinette Sibley Olga Spessivtzeva Svetlana Zakharova Link to comment
drbacc Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 (edited) Everyone seemed to enjoy the Most Handsome Male Dancers discussion, so I thought I'd start a similar search for the most beautiful female dancers.I've decided upon Julie Kent, Stella Abrera, Janie Taylor, and Irina Dvorovenko. (In no particular order) <{POST_SNAPBACK}> ----- I would certainly be interested in seeing some of the best photos of many of these nominations for most beautiful ballerina. I have noticed a few names that seem to capture the hearts of everyone---MARGOT FONTEYN, TAMARA KARSAVINA, CARLA FRACCI & IRENA DVOROVENKO, with Shearer, Farrell, Kent & Asylmuratova -- often mentioned. Although no small part of our observations of beauty are culturally conditioned in the eye of the beholder, nevertheless, there is actually an objective 'science" of beauty, even when judgements are applied intuitively, with the eye of the mind. And this, I think, speaks to why there is a concensus on so many of these beauties. How else could we explain the awe-inspired comments made by so many about these few, chosen from a field of exceptionally good looking people, with such praises as "ravishing" "other-worldly," "perfect" and my overall favorite--"DANGEROUS"--With your permission, I'd like to borrow that one! BENINGLY DANGEROUS, WITHOUT THREAT OF PERIL, TO BE SURE. Such beauty we should all be able to share and enjoy. Can any of the long-standing and trusted members post photos of any of these beauties? (Is it against the rules?) (Well, I just went back and read where only moderators can post photos--so--maybe some will) Until then, I am evermore smitten by the "Divine One,"--- ANN DITCHBURN IN CANADIAN BALLET & ANNE IN THE MOVIES (All movie reviews, while not too kind to the movie, referred to her as "beautiful, divine, georgeous, exotic, etc.) and, with reluctance, I must agree with the cynics and critics this one time. Well, I guess by now you all know how I feel about this stunningly beautiful dancer (National Ballet of Canada 70's and 80's) Now that I have gone this far, I may as well admit---all my life I thought the sunrise was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen---that is, until I saw ANN DITCHBURN'S FACE and beatific smile, an enchantment that never fails. Sending me back to finishing school, I had to rethink the Grand Unified Theory of Beauty. Now it's (1) Ann's beaming countenance graced with her exotic headscarf (2) sunrise and sunset (3) Ann's blissful smile (4) all of Tchaikovsky's works (5) Katherine Zeta-Jones (approaching her beauty) (6) Sibelius' Symphony #2 (7) Texas/your state or province (9) all of Ann's dance scenes, I reckon...Aw shucks, this is too corny, but I like to get things in proper perspective. Running out of superlatives, to the relief of any remaining patient readers, the only thing I have never understood is why her beauty has not been submitted for verification as a legitimate Canadian miracle of beauty, at least a national treasure. I was so enraptured, I didn't even know who else was in the movie until the third viewing. How could I have missed the movie and this lovely creature of delight for all these years? Now don't get me wrong, I'm not biased or anything, just spellbound in thralldom to this Apollonian beauty, who, for me, finally and definitively, resolved the question of the existence of angels on earth. (without wings, but positively identified in this case) Trusting I have not done injustice to her through understatement and remembering how Cervantes put it in Don Quixote, I am sure he would have applied it here, "The stars in the high heavens fortify you in your divinity, and make you deserving of the just deserts that your greatness deserves." I just had a thought--why don't we have some kind of a poll on this for, say, a month, and then have a run-off showing photos of the top 10 vote getters. Maybe we could vote and rank the top 10 or 12, (from all eras) Seems like it would be a lot of fun, helpful and informative for greenhorns like me, especially if sprinkled with comments, background and pictures. (I just know my entry would win--if only everyone could see her!) I might even change my mind, the way these others are so wonderfully described. I'll wager a lot of people do not know all of these dancers discussed. (Maybe a showing of hands on the Oprah Winfrey Show to decide.... just kiddin) I guess everything shouldn't be turned into a contest. Still..... What the? .....I've gotta run, the movie's fixin to come on again, and I want to see the....the....music! Edited November 17, 2005 by drbacc Link to comment
Mary J Posted December 9, 2004 Share Posted December 9, 2004 What a fabulous topic - I would choose: Fonteyn Maximova Sibley Fracci Kirsten Simone Karsavina Carmen de Lavalade (anyone else ever see ABT's "The Four Marys"?) Link to comment
dido Posted December 10, 2004 Share Posted December 10, 2004 For me too it's Karsavina--always. I love the photographs of course, but the image that I can always call up with absolute clarity is the Sargent sketch of her wearing that little Robin Hood hat. But also (and in no order, of course) Olga Spessivtseva Wendy Whelan Moira Shearer Beryl Gray Alicia Alonso Tamara Toumanova Sarah Lamb Svetlana Zakharova Link to comment
Marenetha Posted December 10, 2004 Share Posted December 10, 2004 Here are some of my particular favorites: Anya Linden (her face is PERFECT) Olga Spessivtzeva Violetta Elvin Elena Evteyeva Ludmilla Semenyaka Tamara Geva Sofia Federova Link to comment
GabbyN Posted December 11, 2004 Share Posted December 11, 2004 Here's my list: Julie Kent Aurelie Dupont Irma Nioradze Suzanne Farrell Altynai Asylmuratova Link to comment
Lovebird Posted December 11, 2004 Share Posted December 11, 2004 To disprove the notion that British women are not pretty, here are some ballerinas from the RB, BRB, and English National- Moira Shearer- without a question the most beautiful ballerina then, now, and forever with her red hair, green eyes, creamy skin, the works. In the Red Shoes one can also see that beauty perfectly translates onto the screen as well. Pearl Argyle- described by Gordon Anthony as the most beautiful face in the theatrical professions after Vivien Leigh, and indeed her pictures show a perfect oval face with aristocratic features, Balanchine was said to have fallen in love with her. Pamela May- With her blonde, blue- eyed English Rose beauty and her vivacious friendly character she was an in- house favorite with Ninette, the audience, and Michael Somes. Beryl Grey- Tall, glamourous, with dark hair and eyes, she sometimes resembled a young Queen Victoria. Antoinette Sibley- blonde with brown eyes, she had a sweet, angelical face, always smiling. Julia Farronn- an unconventional red-haired beauty. Anya Linden- perfect features. Georgina Parkinson- green eyes, black hair and a stunning beauty in the style of Liz Taylor. Marion Tait- aristocratic beauty Darcey Bussell- up turned nose, almond eyes, similar to Bambi's, and perfect cheekbones all make the most attractive ballerina of the 90's and now. Andria Hall- Blonde beauty and perfect smile. Patricia Ruanne- Margot Fonteyn- Needs no comment Some Commonwealth stunners Vergie Derman- an icy blonde, tall with long limbs, if she had not been a dancer she would certainly have made her living as a model. Elaine Fifield- she was a Vivien Leigh look alike with green eyes and dark brown hair. Link to comment
eland Posted December 11, 2004 Share Posted December 11, 2004 I know that everyone has a different opinion on what beauty is, so my choice for a beautiful Ballerina would be Adrianna Suarez from Boston Ballet. She is exotic and I think ethnicity in itself is beautiful.. Link to comment
canbelto Posted December 11, 2004 Share Posted December 11, 2004 After seeing the sublime pdd in the PNB's Midsummer Night's Dream I must add Louise Nadeau to the list of most beautiful ballerinas Talk about beauty to the fingertips. Link to comment
drbacc Posted December 14, 2004 Share Posted December 14, 2004 (edited) To disprove the notion that British women are not pretty, here are some ballerinas from the RB, BRB, and English National-NOTE: THE FOLLOWING COMMENTS WERE MADE BY SOMEONE OTHER THAN drbacc. Moira Shearer- without a question the most beautiful ballerina then, now, and forever with her red hair, green eyes, creamy skin, the works. In the Red Shoes one can also see that beauty perfectly translates onto the screen as well. Pearl Argyle- described by Gordon Anthony as the most beautiful face in the theatrical professions after Vivien Leigh, and indeed her pictures show a perfect oval face with aristocratic features, Balanchine was said to have fallen in love with her. Pamela May- With her blonde, blue- eyed English Rose beauty and her vivacious friendly character she was an in- house favorite with Ninette, the audience, and Michael Somes. Beryl Grey- Tall, glamourous, with dark hair and eyes, she sometimes resembled a young Queen Victoria. Antoinette Sibley- blonde with brown eyes, she had a sweet, angelical face, always smiling. Julia Farronn- an unconventional red-haired beauty. Anya Linden- perfect features. Georgina Parkinson- green eyes, black hair and a stunning beauty in the style of Liz Taylor. Marion Tait- aristocratic beauty Darcey Bussell- up turned nose, almond eyes, similar to Bambi's, and perfect cheekbones all make the most attractive ballerina of the 90's and now. Andria Hall- Blonde beauty and perfect smile. Patricia Ruanne- Margot Fonteyn- Needs no comment Some Commonwealth stunners Vergie Derman- an icy blonde, tall with long limbs, if she had not been a dancer she would certainly have made her living as a model. Elaine Fifield- she was a Vivien Leigh look alike with green eyes and dark brown hair. <{POST_SNAPBACK}> Edited August 11, 2005 by drbacc Link to comment
BalletNut Posted December 15, 2004 Share Posted December 15, 2004 Many of these ballerinas are in the Ballerina Gallery, http://www.ballerinagallery.com. Link to comment
Rachel Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 Greta Hodgkinson of National Ballet of Canada - dark yet delicate, beautiful body Allegra Kent Suzanne Farrell Helene Alexopolous April Ball - Former Boston Ballet Principal Julie Kent Svetlana Zakharova Christiane Vaussard Rachel Link to comment
fandeballet Posted December 28, 2004 Share Posted December 28, 2004 I vote for Tamara Rojo: Extremely petite( not my natural preference )but a beauty indeed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Also: (in no order)...Fonteyn, Nina Anniasville, Ludmilla Seymenianka, Donna Wood(Alvin Ailey Dancer from the 70's and early 80's) what eyes! What bone structure! Link to comment
native New Yorker Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 (edited) Chan Han Goh is also very beautiful. She not only is principal dancer for the National Ballet of Canada, but has danced in Suzanne Farrell Ballet and has guest starred around the world. This month she danced Sugar Plum Fairy with the California Riverside Ballet to Nikolaj Hübbe's Cavalier in Nutcracker. Uh oh! I just saw that Chan was already on somebody's list. Sorry for the duplication! Edited December 31, 2004 by native New Yorker Link to comment
Mel Johnson Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 And one of the great glamour-women of NYCB and ABT, Nanette Glushak, still glamourous as the Director of the Ballet Capitole of Toulouse. Link to comment
atm711 Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 Tamara Toumanova---she was 'drop dead' gorgeous on the stage. Link to comment
Old Fashioned Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 Chan Han Goh is also very beautiful. She not only is principal dancer for the National Ballet of Canada, but has danced in Suzanne Farrell Ballet and has guest starred around the world.This month she danced Sugar Plum Fairy with the California Riverside Ballet to Nikolaj Hübbe's Cavalier in Nutcracker. Uh oh! I just saw that Chan was already on somebody's list. Sorry for the duplication! <{POST_SNAPBACK}> She's worth mentioning twice. Link to comment
violet Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 Suzanne Farrell. I think she's one of the most beautiful people in general, not just in the ballet world. Link to comment
Farrell Fan Posted December 31, 2004 Share Posted December 31, 2004 Violet, you are absolutely correct. And SF's beauty is not only outward -- it comes from within. Link to comment
Recommended Posts