Imperial Dancer Vera Karalli:"Dying Swan" clip-(1917)

[cubanmiamiboy]

Opportunities to get a glimpse of Imperial Dancers on film are very rare. In this clip Prima ballerina Vera Karalli dances in the Russian silent film "The Dying Swan" from 1917, directed by Evgeni Bauer. Besides her dancing Miss Karalli also received her place in Russian history due to her infamous involvement in the killing of Rasputin along with Prince Youssupov-(although she was never arrested or charged).

Enjoy!

[PeggyR]

Thank you so much for that clip! Aside from her beautiful arms, I especially like the subtlety of her performance. Watch some recent ballerinas as the Dying Swan: whatever other virtues they may have, in comparison to Karalli they look like 747s trying to take off.