Famous Ballet Dancers
The Most Legendary Dancers

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Some of the most well known famous ballet dancers include:

Marie Taglioni (1804-1884)
Anna Pavlova (1881- 1931)
Vaslav Nijinsky (1890- 1950)
Rudolf Nureyev (1983-1993)
Margot Fonteyn (1919-1991)

Marie Taglioni

In 1822 Taglioni made her first performance in Vienna.

It was in 1837 when Taglioni acctepted a three-year contract with the Imperial Ballet in St. Petesburg.

Taglioni had a successful ballet career. Her admirers even cooked her slippers to eat them in a sauce!

Taglioni retired in 1847 and went on to teach.

She died in 1884.

Marie Taglioni

Anna Pavlova

In 1899 Pavlova was accepted with the Imperial Ballet.

Pavlova first appeared in La Fille Mal Gardee the same year she joined. Pavlova was appointed prima ballerina by 1905.

Anna Pavlova had very high insteps. So she re-equiped her pointe shoes. She is often said to have influenced the start if the modern pointe shoe.

Just before Pavlova's 50th birthday, she caught pneumonia and died from it in 1931.

Vaslav Nijinsky

Nijinsky was recognised for his range and strength in characterisation.

He was able to do magnificent jumps and his skills are greatly remembered.

Nijinsky had many roles created for him. He was a part of the Marinsky Theatre and Sergei Diaghilev's Ballet Russes.

Rudolf Nureyev

Nureyev made his first appearance in London with the Royal Ballet. This appearance was in 1962 where he performed Giselle with Margot Fonteyn.

Nureyev gained bigger audiences than any other dancer. He was also filmed more than any dancer before.

Nureyev was a dancer, choreographer, director, partner and a true influence on ballet history.

Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn

Margot Fonteyn

Fonteyn became prima ballerina of the Sadler's Wells Company by 1940.

The British choreographer Frederick Ashton created several roles especially for Fonteyn. She was frequently partnered with Russian dancer Rudolf Nureyev.

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She is believed to be the greatest English ballerina.

Fonteyn's career carried on until she was 58. For more than 40 years, Fonteyn's name dominated British ballet.

These famous ballet dancers are an inspiration to us all. They will be remembered forever.

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