One of two English dancers, along with Margot Fonteyn, to be recognised as a ‘prima ballerina assoluta’, who founded the English National Ballet in 1951?
Prima ballerina assoluta West in 1970. The Swiss-born American Eva Evdokimova became recognised as a "prima ballerina assoluta" following guest appearances with the Kirov Ballet in the 1970s, when she was named as such by the company ballet mistress, Natalia Dudinskaya. The title was later recognised by a vote of the Senate of Berlin. Other dancers awarded the title include Anneli Alhanko from Sweden, Alicia Alonso from Cuba, Alessandra Ferri from Italy, and Alicia Markova and Margot Fonteyn from England. The only French dancer to hold the title is Yvette Chauviré. Though the U.S. has no process for designation of the title, Nureyev
Prima ballerina assoluta an honorary title roughly equivalent to the rank of prima ballerina. Prima ballerina assoluta Prima ballerina assoluta is a title awarded to the most notable of female ballet dancers. To be recognised as a "prima ballerina assoluta" is a rare honour, traditionally reserved only for the most exceptional dancers of their generation. Originally inspired by the Italian ballet masters of the early Romantic ballet, and literally meaning "absolute first ballerina", the title was bestowed on a prima ballerina who was considered to be exceptionally talented, above the standard of other leading ballerinas. The title is very rarely used today and