Anna Pavlova
- Born:
- February 12, 1881 (O.S. January 31), Saint Petersburg, Russian Empire
- Died:
- January 23, 1931, The Hague, Netherlands
- Nationality:
- Russian
- Profession(s):
- Ballerina, Choreographer
Early Life and Education
- Born Anna Matveyevna Pavlova.
- Father, Matvey Pavlov, was a soldier; mother, Lyubov Feodorovna Pavlova, a laundress.
- Developed a passion for ballet after seeing a performance of The Sleeping Beauty at the Mariinsky Theatre.
- Entered the Imperial Ballet School in 1891.
- Graduated in 1899 and joined the Mariinsky Ballet.
Career and Major Achievements
- Rapidly rose through the ranks of the Mariinsky Ballet, becoming a prima ballerina.
- Known for her lightness, ethereal quality, and dramatic expressiveness.
- Toured extensively throughout Europe, the Americas, and Asia, popularizing ballet worldwide.
- Founded her own company in 1911, which toured for nearly two decades.
- Developed and popularized the solo The Dying Swan, choreographed by Michel Fokine to music by Camille Saint-Saëns, becoming her signature role.
Notable Works
- The Dying Swan (choreography by Michel Fokine)
- Giselle
- La Bayadère
- Don Quixote
- The Fairy Doll
Legacy and Impact
Anna Pavlova is considered one of the most influential ballerinas in history. Her extensive touring and captivating performances helped to popularize ballet as an art form worldwide. Many have written "quotes about anna pavlova biography" highlighting her significance.
| Achievement | Year |
|---|---|
| Prima Ballerina of the Imperial Mariinsky Theatre | 1906 |