Alessandra Ferri
Encyclopedia
Alessandra Ferri is a retired Italian
prima ballerina assoluta
. She received her training at the La Scala Theatre Ballet School and the Royal Ballet School
. She danced with the Royal Ballet (1980–1984), American Ballet Theatre
(1985–2007) and La Scala Theatre Ballet (1992–2007) and as an international guest artist, before retiring on August 10, 2007, aged 44.
, Italy
. She began studying ballet at the La Scala Theatre Ballet School, later transferring to the upper school of the Royal Ballet School
. She represented the Royal Ballet School in the 1980 Prix de Lausanne
, winning a scholarship which enabled her to continue studying at the school. Ferri joined the Royal Ballet in 1980 and in 1982, she was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding First Achievement of the Year in Ballet for her performance in the ballet Mayerling
. In 1983, she was nominated for and won the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Individual Performance of the Year in a New Dance Production for her role in Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Valley of Shadows. In 1984, she was promoted to the rank of Principal Dancer. In 1985, Ferri left the Royal Ballet at the request of Mikhail Baryshnikov
to become a Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre
, under Baryshnikov
's own direction. In 1992, Ferri became a Guest Star of American Ballet Theatre and began a very close collaboration with La Scala Theatre Ballet, becoming recognised as Prima Ballerina Assoluta
of the company.
at the Palais Garnier
and the Opéra Bastille
, the Kirov Ballet at the Mariinsky Theatre
, the National Ballet of Canada
, the Tokyo Ballet, the Cuban National Ballet, the Hamburg Ballet
, the Stuttgart Ballet
, the Ballet National de Marseille, the Ballet National de Nancy and others.
She is best appreciated in story ballets by Kenneth MacMillan, Roland Petit, John Cranko
and John Neumeier
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/10/arts/dance/10maca.html.
She danced with the most important male dancers of her generation: Rudolf Nureyev
(in Los Angeles for his 50 birthday in 1988) Mikhail Baryshnikov
(also in the movie "Dancers" in 1987 http://www.amazon.com/Dancers-VHS-Mikhail-Baryshnikov/dp/6301016998), Anthony Dowell
, Patrick Dupond, Peter Schaufuss, Maximiliano Guerra, Laurent Hilaire, Manuel Legris, Julio Bocca
(her favourite) http://www.playbillarts.com/features/article/6621.html and Marcelo Gomes.
, in Milan, Italy. They live in New York.
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
prima ballerina assoluta
Prima ballerina assoluta
Prima ballerina assoluta is a rank or title given to notable female ballet dancers. To be recognised as a prima ballerina assoluta is a very rare honour, reserved only for the most exceptional soloists, usually those who have achieved international acclaim....
. She received her training at the La Scala Theatre Ballet School and the Royal Ballet School
Royal Ballet School
The Royal Ballet School is one of the most famous classical ballet schools in the world and is the associate school of the Royal Ballet, a leading international ballet company based at the Royal Opera House in London...
. She danced with the Royal Ballet (1980–1984), American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre , based in New York City, was one of the foremost ballet companies of the 20th century. It continues as a leading dance company in the world today...
(1985–2007) and La Scala Theatre Ballet (1992–2007) and as an international guest artist, before retiring on August 10, 2007, aged 44.
Career
Alessandra Ferri was born in MilanMilan
Milan is the second-largest city in Italy and the capital city of the region of Lombardy and of the province of Milan. The city proper has a population of about 1.3 million, while its urban area, roughly coinciding with its administrative province and the bordering Province of Monza and Brianza ,...
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. She began studying ballet at the La Scala Theatre Ballet School, later transferring to the upper school of the Royal Ballet School
Royal Ballet School
The Royal Ballet School is one of the most famous classical ballet schools in the world and is the associate school of the Royal Ballet, a leading international ballet company based at the Royal Opera House in London...
. She represented the Royal Ballet School in the 1980 Prix de Lausanne
Prix de Lausanne
The Prix de Lausanne is an International dance competition held annually in Lausanne, Switzerland. The competition is for young dancers seeking to pursue a professional career in classical ballet, and many former prize winners of the competition are now leading stars with major ballet companies...
, winning a scholarship which enabled her to continue studying at the school. Ferri joined the Royal Ballet in 1980 and in 1982, she was nominated for the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding First Achievement of the Year in Ballet for her performance in the ballet Mayerling
Mayerling (ballet)
Mayerling is a ballet created in 1978 by Kenneth MacMillan for the Royal Ballet, London.- Synopsis :Rudolf, Crown Prince of Austria is forced into a marriage of state with Princess Stéphanie of Belgium; Countess Marie Larisch von Moennich, the mistress of whom he is tiring, introduces him to the...
. In 1983, she was nominated for and won the Laurence Olivier Award for Outstanding Individual Performance of the Year in a New Dance Production for her role in Sir Kenneth MacMillan's Valley of Shadows. In 1984, she was promoted to the rank of Principal Dancer. In 1985, Ferri left the Royal Ballet at the request of Mikhail Baryshnikov
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Mikhail Nikolaevich Baryshnikov is a Soviet and American dancer, choreographer, and actor, often cited alongside Vaslav Nijinsky and Rudolf Nureyev as one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20th century. After a promising start in the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad, he defected to Canada in 1974...
to become a Principal Dancer with American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre , based in New York City, was one of the foremost ballet companies of the 20th century. It continues as a leading dance company in the world today...
, under Baryshnikov
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Mikhail Nikolaevich Baryshnikov is a Soviet and American dancer, choreographer, and actor, often cited alongside Vaslav Nijinsky and Rudolf Nureyev as one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20th century. After a promising start in the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad, he defected to Canada in 1974...
's own direction. In 1992, Ferri became a Guest Star of American Ballet Theatre and began a very close collaboration with La Scala Theatre Ballet, becoming recognised as Prima Ballerina Assoluta
Prima ballerina assoluta
Prima ballerina assoluta is a rank or title given to notable female ballet dancers. To be recognised as a prima ballerina assoluta is a very rare honour, reserved only for the most exceptional soloists, usually those who have achieved international acclaim....
of the company.
Created Roles
- 1981 - Chanson (pas de deux) - Choreography by Sir Kenneth MacMillan, with the Royal Ballet.
- 1981 - Isadora - Choreography by Sir Kenneth MacMillan, with the Royal Ballet.
- 1982 - Invitation au Voyage - Choreography by Michael Corder, with the Royal Ballet.
- 1983 - Consort Lessons - Choreography by David BintleyDavid BintleyDavid Bintley, CBE, is a former English ballet dancer, the current artistic director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet and co-artistic director of the New National Theatre Tokyo ballet company.- About :...
, with the Royal Ballet. - 1983 - Valley of Shadows - Choreography by Sir Kenneth MacMillan, with the Royal Ballet.
- 1984 - Different Drummer - Choreography by Sir Kenneth MacMillan, with the Royal Ballet.
- 1985 - Swan Lake - Choreography by Rosella HightowerRosella HightowerRosella Hightower was an American ballerina who achieved fame in both the United States and Europe.-Biography:...
, with La Scala Ballet. - 1986 - Requiem - Choreography by Sir Kenneth MacMillan, with the American Ballet Theatre.
- 1989 - Le Diable Amoureux - Choreography by Roland PetitRoland PetitRoland Petit was a French choreographer and dancer born in Villemomble, near Paris, France. He trained at the Paris Opéra Ballet school, and became well known for his creative ballets.-Biography:...
, with the Ballet National de Marseille. - 1990 - Birdy - Choreography by Jean-Pierre Aviotte, with the Ballet National de Marseille.
- 1991 - White Man Sleeps - Choreography by Daniel Ezralow, with Maggiodanza.
- 1992 - Un Petit Train de Plaisir - Choreography by Amedeo AmodioAmedeo Amodio-Early career:Born in Milan in 1940, Amodio trained at the ballet school of the Teatro alla Scala, whose ranks he joined immediately. While there, he performed in productions by Léonide Massine , George Balanchine , and Petit -Early career:Born in Milan in 1940, Amodio trained at the ballet school...
, with Aterballetto. - 1993 - Le Baiser de la Fée - Choreography by Micha Van Hoecke, with La Scala Ballet.
- 1994 - Le Sang d'un Poète, La Voix Humaine - Choreography by Roland Petit, for Teatro Studio, Milan.
- 1995 - William Tell - Choreography by Heinz Spoerli, with the Ballet Nacional de CubaBallet Nacional de CubaThe Cuban National Ballet is a classical ballet company based at the Great Theatre of Havana in Havana, Cuba. Founded by the Cuban prima ballerina assoluta, Alicia Alonso in 1948, it has become recognised as one of the world's leading ballet companies...
. - 1996 - Armide - Choreography by Heinz Spoerli, with La Scala Ballet.
- 1997 - Vespri Siciliani - Choreography by Heinz Spoerli, with the Rome Opera Ballet.
- 1997 - In Volo - Choreography by Jean-Christophe Maillot, with the American Ballet Theatre.
- 1998 - Quartetto - Choreography by William ForsytheWilliam Forsythe (dancer)William Forsythe is an American dancer and choreographer resident in Frankfurt am Main in Hessen. He is known internationally for his work with the Ballett Frankfurt and The Forsythe Company...
, with La Scala Ballet. - 1998 - Faust Tango - Choreography by Oscar Araiz, for the Ravenna Festival.
- 1999 - Mambo Suite - Choreography by Annamaria Steckelman, for the Colon Theatre, Buenos Aires.
- 2004 - Europa Riconosciuta - Choreography by Heinz Spoerli, with La Scala Ballet.
Guest appearances
As an international guest artist, Ferri performed with the Paris Opera BalletParis Opera Ballet
The Paris Opera Ballet is the oldest national ballet company in the world, and many European and international ballet companies can trace their origins to it...
at the Palais Garnier
Palais Garnier
The Palais Garnier, , is an elegant 1,979-seat opera house, which was built from 1861 to 1875 for the Paris Opera. It was originally called the Salle des Capucines because of its location on the Boulevard des Capucines in the 9th arrondissement of Paris, but soon became known as the Palais Garnier...
and the Opéra Bastille
Opéra Bastille
L'Opéra Bastille ' is a modern opera house in Paris, France. It is the home base of the Opéra national de Paris and was designed to replace the Palais Garnier, which is nowadays mainly used for ballet performances....
, the Kirov Ballet at the Mariinsky Theatre
Mariinsky Theatre
The Mariinsky Theatre is a historic theatre of opera and ballet in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Opened in 1860, it became the preeminent music theatre of late 19th century Russia, where many of the stage masterpieces of Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov received their premieres. The...
, the National Ballet of Canada
National Ballet of Canada
The National Ballet of Canada is Canada's largest ballet troupe. It was founded by Celia Franca in 1951 and is based in Toronto, Ontario. Based upon the unity of Canadian trained dancers in the tradition and style of England's Royal Ballet, The National is regarded as one of the premier classical...
, the Tokyo Ballet, the Cuban National Ballet, the Hamburg Ballet
Hamburg Ballet
Hamburg Ballet, also known as the Hamburg State Opera Ballet, is an internationally acclaimed ballet company located in Hamburg, Germany. Since 1973 it is directed by the American dancer and choreographer John Neumeier....
, the Stuttgart Ballet
Stuttgart Ballet
Stuttgart Ballet was the first major German ballet company. It rose to fame in the 1960s under Artistic Director John Cranko. The company, which is renowned for presentations of full-length narrative ballets including Romeo and Juliet, Eugene Onegin, The Taming of the Shrew, John Neumeier's Die...
, the Ballet National de Marseille, the Ballet National de Nancy and others.
She is best appreciated in story ballets by Kenneth MacMillan, Roland Petit, John Cranko
John Cranko
John Cyril Cranko was a choreographer with the Sadler's Wells Ballet and the Stuttgart Ballet....
and John Neumeier
John Neumeier
John Neumeier is a well-known American ballet dancer, choreographer, and director. He has been the director and chief choreographer of the Hamburg Ballet since 1973. 5 years later he founded the Hamburg Ballet School, which also includes a boarding school...
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/06/10/arts/dance/10maca.html.
She danced with the most important male dancers of her generation: Rudolf Nureyev
Rudolf Nureyev
Rudolf Khametovich Nureyev was a Russian dancer, considered one of the most celebrated ballet dancers of the 20th century. Nureyev's artistic skills explored expressive areas of the dance, providing a new role to the male ballet dancer who once served only as support to the women.In 1961 he...
(in Los Angeles for his 50 birthday in 1988) Mikhail Baryshnikov
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Mikhail Nikolaevich Baryshnikov is a Soviet and American dancer, choreographer, and actor, often cited alongside Vaslav Nijinsky and Rudolf Nureyev as one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20th century. After a promising start in the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad, he defected to Canada in 1974...
(also in the movie "Dancers" in 1987 http://www.amazon.com/Dancers-VHS-Mikhail-Baryshnikov/dp/6301016998), Anthony Dowell
Anthony Dowell
Sir Anthony James Dowell, CBE is a retired English ballet dancer and former Artistic Director of the Royal Ballet. He studied at the Hampshire School and The Royal Ballet Schools, before joining the Royal Ballet in 1961...
, Patrick Dupond, Peter Schaufuss, Maximiliano Guerra, Laurent Hilaire, Manuel Legris, Julio Bocca
Julio Bocca
Julio Bocca is one of the most important ballet dancers of the later part of the 20th century and arguably the most important Argentine dancer of all time....
(her favourite) http://www.playbillarts.com/features/article/6621.html and Marcelo Gomes.
Private life
Ferri has two daughters: Matilde (born in 1997) and Emma (born in 2002), who joined their mother on stage at her farewell performance. Their father is the Italian photographer Fabrizio Ferri, who founded the art school Università dell'ImmagineUniversità dell'Immagine
Università dell'Immagine, was the post-secondary training school of Fondazione Industria Onlus Milan, a non-profit organization founded by the photographer Fabrizio Ferri...
, in Milan, Italy. They live in New York.
Video recordings
- 1984 - Sir Kenneth MacMillanKenneth MacMillanSir Kenneth MacMillan was a British ballet dancer and choreographer. He was artistic director of the Royal Ballet in London between 1970 and 1977.-Early years:...
's - Romeo and JulietRomeo and JulietRomeo and Juliet is a tragedy written early in the career of playwright William Shakespeare about two young star-crossed lovers whose deaths ultimately unite their feuding families. It was among Shakespeare's most popular archetypal stories of young, teenage lovers.Romeo and Juliet belongs to a...
as Juliet, with Wayne EaglingWayne EaglingWayne Eagling is a former Principal dancer of the Royal Ballet in London and is a leading international choreographer and director....
and LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
's Royal Ballet. - 1987 - Herber Ross's film Dancers as Francesca, with Mikhail BaryshnikovMikhail BaryshnikovMikhail Nikolaevich Baryshnikov is a Soviet and American dancer, choreographer, and actor, often cited alongside Vaslav Nijinsky and Rudolf Nureyev as one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20th century. After a promising start in the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad, he defected to Canada in 1974...
, Leslie BrowneLeslie BrowneLeslie Browne is an American ballet dancer and actress.She was born Leslie Brown, the daughter of Kelly Brown and Isabel Mirrow. She had two brothers and one sister; her brother Kevin is a film producer. At the age of seven she began dancing, and would be trained at her father's studio in Arizona,...
, Julie Kent, Tommy Rall and American Ballet TheatreAmerican Ballet TheatreAmerican Ballet Theatre , based in New York City, was one of the foremost ballet companies of the 20th century. It continues as a leading dance company in the world today...
(VHS Tape Only). - 1987 - George BalanchineGeorge BalanchineGeorge Balanchine , born Giorgi Balanchivadze in Saint Petersburg, Russia, to a Georgian father and a Russian mother, was one of the 20th century's most famous choreographers, a developer of ballet in the United States, co-founder and balletmaster of New York City Ballet...
's La Sonnambula as The Sleepwalker, with Mikhail Baryshnikov and American Ballet Theatre. - 1996 - GiselleGiselleGiselle is a ballet in two acts with a libretto by Jules-Henri Vernoy de Saint-Georges and Théophile Gautier, music by Adolphe Adam, and choreography by Jean Coralli and Jules Perrot. The librettist took his inspiration from a poem by Heinrich Heine...
as Giselle, with Massimo Murru and La Scala Ballet. - 1998 - Romeo & Juliet Pas de Deux with Julio Bocca, on a mixed bill DVD titled American Ballet Theatre Now - Variety and Virtuosity.
- 2000 - Romeo and Juliet as Juliet, with Angel CorellaAngel CorellaÁngel Corella is a Spanish dancer, currently the Artistic Director and principal dancer of Corella Ballet Castilla Y León as well as principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre...
and La Scala Ballet. - 2003 - Sir Frederick AshtonFrederick AshtonSir Frederick William Mallandaine Ashton OM, CH, CBE was a leading international dancer and choreographer. He is most noted as the founder choreographer of The Royal Ballet in London, but also worked as a director and choreographer of opera, film and theatre revues.-Early life:Ashton was born at...
's The Dream as Titania, with Ethan StiefelEthan StiefelEthan Stiefel is a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre . His fiance is Gillian Murphy, also a principal dancer with ABT.-Biography:...
, Herman Cornejo and American Ballet Theatre. - 2003 - Roland PetitRoland PetitRoland Petit was a French choreographer and dancer born in Villemomble, near Paris, France. He trained at the Paris Opéra Ballet school, and became well known for his creative ballets.-Biography:...
's La Chauve-Souris as Bella, with Massimo Murru and La Scala Ballet. - 2007 - George Balanchine's A Midsummer Night's Dream as Titania, with Roberto BolleRoberto BolleRoberto Bolle is an Italian ballet dancer. He is currently a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre and also holds guest artist status with The Royal Ballet and La Scala Theatre Ballet, making regular appearances with both companies.- Overview :...
, Massimo Murru and La Scala Ballet.
Awards and honours (selected)
- 1982 - Olivier Award - Outstanding First Achievement of the Year in Ballet - Nominated
- 1983 - Olivier Award - Outstanding Individual Performance of the Year in a New Dance Production - WON
- 1990 - Premio Léonide Massine, Positano
- 2000 - Prix Benois de la DansePrix Benois de la DanseThe Benois de la Danse is one of the most prestigious ballet competition. Founded by the International Dance Association in Moscow in 1991, it takes place each year on or around April 29 and is jury-based in its judging...
, Moscow - 2005 - Italian Order of Merit of the RepublicItalian orders of meritThere are five orders of knighthood awarded in recognition of service to the Italian Republic. Below these sit a number of other decorations, associated and otherwise, that do not confer knighthoods...
- 2005 - Dance MagazineDance MagazineDance Magazine is an "influential" American trade publication for dance, currently published by the Macfadden Communications Group. It was first published in June 1927 as The American Dancer. William Como was its editor-in-chief from 1970 to his death in 1989. Wendy Perron became its editor-in...
Award, New York
External links
- Ballerina Gallery page for Alessandra Ferri, with Sting