Famous Ballerinas
It takes many years to become a prima ballerina. To become a prima ballerina the dancer must first have a "ballet body". The perfect ballet body has feet with high arches with a top bump, a 90-degree turnout from each of the hip rotators, strong stretchy Achilles tendons, long hyper-extended legs, short torso, long neck and a round head. The dancer must be 5'2" to 5'7" with exceptions on either side. At 5 ft. you should weigh 85 lbs. and add 5 lbs. for every inch taller than that. Only 2% of the population has this body. It is not all just physical requirements, however. The dancer also must begin to study at a top ballet academy at the age of 7 to no later than 11. The dancer will also not have a typical "childhood". By age 14 the dancer would be dancing 20-30 hours a week. At 17 the dancer would apprentice with a company and then after a year join the corps de ballet if asked. Then if the dancer shows exceptional talent, she will become a soloist, then a principal and then, if the dancer is extremely talented, the dancer will become a prima ballerina. Even though the requirements of becoming a prima ballerina are so strict, there have been quite a few notable ones in history; here are just three of them.
Marie Taglioni (1804-1884)
Known as one of the greatest influence on the Romantic era of ballet, Marie Taglioni created a new image for ballet pointe shoes after starring in the role La Sylphide. She is remembered for her graceful and airy quality in pointe shoes. Taglioni was one of the first to shorten her ballet skirt in order to show the audience the intricate pointe work. Born from a family of dance, her father was an Italian choreographer, thus giving her many opportunities to dance ballets that was just created for her. Marie Taglioni continued to teach even after her dancing career. Her audience loved her so dearly that they even named cakes after her. For sure she is one of the most famous Italian Ballerinas.
Known as one of the greatest influence on the Romantic era of ballet, Marie Taglioni created a new image for ballet pointe shoes after starring in the role La Sylphide. She is remembered for her graceful and airy quality in pointe shoes. Taglioni was one of the first to shorten her ballet skirt in order to show the audience the intricate pointe work. Born from a family of dance, her father was an Italian choreographer, thus giving her many opportunities to dance ballets that was just created for her. Marie Taglioni continued to teach even after her dancing career. Her audience loved her so dearly that they even named cakes after her. For sure she is one of the most famous Italian Ballerinas.
Anna Pavlova (1881- 1931)
A Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova is known to be one of the world's finest classical ballet dancer. She is particularly famous for her creation of The Dying Swan. The Dying Swan was created just for by the choreographer Mikhail Fokine. In her career she danced it about 4,000 times. Anna was the first ballerina to ever tour around the world. She was accepted into the Imperial Ballet in 1899 and by 1905 she was appointed as prima ballerina. Because of her high arches she had to re-equip her pointe shoes to dance in them. She is said to have been a great influence for the modern pointe shoe.
A Russian ballerina, Anna Pavlova is known to be one of the world's finest classical ballet dancer. She is particularly famous for her creation of The Dying Swan. The Dying Swan was created just for by the choreographer Mikhail Fokine. In her career she danced it about 4,000 times. Anna was the first ballerina to ever tour around the world. She was accepted into the Imperial Ballet in 1899 and by 1905 she was appointed as prima ballerina. Because of her high arches she had to re-equip her pointe shoes to dance in them. She is said to have been a great influence for the modern pointe shoe.
Margot Fonteyn (1919-1991)
For more than 40 years, Margot Fonteyn dominated British ballet. She is widely known as the greatest English ballerina. She spent her whole entire career with the Royal Ballet. She continued to dance until the age of 58 and her partnership with Rudolf Nureyev was a worldwide sensation. Fonteyn was a muse for the British choreographer Frederick Ashton who created several roles just for her that displayed her unique quality of musicality and technical skill.
For more than 40 years, Margot Fonteyn dominated British ballet. She is widely known as the greatest English ballerina. She spent her whole entire career with the Royal Ballet. She continued to dance until the age of 58 and her partnership with Rudolf Nureyev was a worldwide sensation. Fonteyn was a muse for the British choreographer Frederick Ashton who created several roles just for her that displayed her unique quality of musicality and technical skill.