Mia Slavenska - A Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo Prima Ballerina

This is a little film I put together about a great but now not very well know Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo prima ballerina - Mia Slavenska (1914-2002).

First, there is an interview with Mia.

Then there is footage of the dancer discussing and performing part of 'La Mort du Cygne'.

Finally there is her solo in 'Pas de Quatre', performed on television in the Bell Hour in 1960.

Category:

Film & Animation

Tags:

• Mia Slavenska
• Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo
• La Mort du Cygne
• Pas de Quatre

[kenhig]

I'm thankful to Mia Slavenska for introducing me, at age 17, to the world of ballet. In December, 1948, I saw "Mia Slavenska and Her Ballet Variante", in the Lewiston, Idaho high school auditorium, as a Community Concert Association presentation. Looking at the program now I see that due to a "severe muscle strain....Mia Slavenska will not be able to dance the entire program." I still remember how enthralled I was by her beauty and her dancing.

[nickwallacesmith]

hi kenhig - it's life chancy - how an introduction can change the course of things - well, it's been the case for me. do you recall what she danced on that night? cheers

[kenhig]

@nickwallacesmith "Salome", Music by Glazounov & choreography and costumes by herself: "Cake Walk", Debussy's music and her own choreography and costumes. Orig. scheduled to dance in "Ballet Divertissements" and "Settler's Sunday", too. Saw her a year later as guest artist with Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. Happy to mail you copies of programs if you're interested. Would need your address. Haven't learned how to scan and attach to email.

[nickwallacesmith]

hi kenhig - oh, yes, i remember now that Mia choreographed too - thanks for jogging my memory. and for the information about that performance you saw - much appreciated. very kind of you to offer to send copies of the program - if it's not too much trouble i'd love to see them. my address is 406/3 kings cross road, rushcutters bay, sydney, New South Wales, Australia, 2011. only if you have time, really. thanks again, cheers, nick

[kenhig]

@nickwallacesmith Hi, Nick--Thanks for your response and your address. I spent two or three hours today (Monday) trying to figure out how to scan documents and attach to emails. I think I can do it now--it worked when I sent one to myself. But if you want hard copies of the programs, that's OK, I'll print and post them. If email attachments will do, I'll need your email address. Mine is dancrocker@novato.net. I live in Novato, California.

Best regards, Dan

[nickwallacesmith]

hi dan - good to have learned how to scan and email things - i find it very useful and easy. it you have the time, emailing is absolutely fine for me - my address is nickwallacesmith@gmail.com. thanks again for the offer, very good of you. hope to find some more film of Mia to upload on YT! best, nick

[nickwallacesmith]

hi PureSoapCleans - nor i - wish i had seen her. and yes her beauty was legendary! sadly there's not as much film as there should be - i think you are right, her approach and attack were, for the time, modern. and she was something of a rebel (in a good way as far as i'm concerned) and moved around a lot (who didn't) and i think this may explain in part the lack of footage around. must see if there's any more film around!

[PureSoapCleans]

I never had the privilege to see this wonderful dancer, but my parents did, and talked about it very often. She was not only beautiful, but she seemed to know all the dance secrets; was not only convincing, but her dancing was so modern for the time and her approach so perfect and intense that her audiences were mesmerized by her technique and charm. I wish that we could find more videos of her dancing. I think about her & read everything that I can find on her. She was one of the greatest!

[nickwallacesmith]

hi prettyfits - yes, a great individualist - did thungs her way despite public opinion - an inspiration