Niels Bjørn Larsen
Encyclopedia
Niels Bjørn Larsen was a Danish ballet dancer, choreographer and balletmester. He was admitted to the Royal Danish Ballet
school in 1920 and debuted in a production of Gudindernes Strid in 1933. In 1942 was promoted to soloist and remained with the Royal Danish Ballet until 1986.
In the beginning of the 1930s Larsen toured Europe and the USA with the Swiss mime Trudi Schoop
. This, together with a study trip to France, England and the US, laid the ground for his great career as a mime and character dancer, a career in world class.
Larsen was balletmaster at the Royal Danish Theatre
during two periods, 1951–56 and 1961–65. From 1956–80 he was artistic leader of the Pantomime Theatre at Tivoli. As choreographer he made ballets on the Royal Danish Theatre, the Pantomime Theatre and at other theatres, as well as in film. He documented performances from the Royal Danish Ballet from 1950.
Larsen was a Knight of the 1st Class in the Order of the Dannebrog
. He married pianist Elvi Henriksen on August 13, 1946, with whom he had a daughter, Dinna Bjørn; he is buried in Bispebjerg Kirkegård.
Royal Danish Ballet
The Royal Danish Ballet is one of the oldest ballet companies in the world. Based in Copenhagen, Denmark, it originates from 1748, when the Royal Danish Theatre was founded, and was finally organized in 1771 in response to the great popularity of French and Italian styles of dance...
school in 1920 and debuted in a production of Gudindernes Strid in 1933. In 1942 was promoted to soloist and remained with the Royal Danish Ballet until 1986.
In the beginning of the 1930s Larsen toured Europe and the USA with the Swiss mime Trudi Schoop
Trudi Schoop
Trudi Schoop was a comedic dancer who pioneered the treatment of mental illness with dance therapy.-The performer:...
. This, together with a study trip to France, England and the US, laid the ground for his great career as a mime and character dancer, a career in world class.
Larsen was balletmaster at the Royal Danish Theatre
Royal Danish Theatre
The Royal Danish Theatre is both the national Danish performing arts institution and a name used to refer to its old purpose-built venue from 1874 located on Kongens Nytorv in Copenhagen. The theatre was founded in 1748, first serving as the theatre of the king, and then as the theatre of the...
during two periods, 1951–56 and 1961–65. From 1956–80 he was artistic leader of the Pantomime Theatre at Tivoli. As choreographer he made ballets on the Royal Danish Theatre, the Pantomime Theatre and at other theatres, as well as in film. He documented performances from the Royal Danish Ballet from 1950.
Larsen was a Knight of the 1st Class in the Order of the Dannebrog
Order of the Dannebrog
The Order of the Dannebrog is an Order of Denmark, instituted in 1671 by Christian V. It resulted from a move in 1660 to break the absolutism of the nobility. The Order was only to comprise 50 noble Knights in one class plus the Master of the Order, i.e. the Danish monarch, and his sons...
. He married pianist Elvi Henriksen on August 13, 1946, with whom he had a daughter, Dinna Bjørn; he is buried in Bispebjerg Kirkegård.
External links
- Den Danske filmdatabase: Niels Bjørn Larsen
- Den Store Danske Encyklopædi: Den Kongelige Ballet
- Kraks Blå Bog 1974
- NY Times; Niels Larsen, 89, Dancer With Knack for Mime, Dies; Anna Kisselgoff, March 21, 2003
- NY Times; Making the Most of the Least Glamorous Roles; Eric V. Copage, May 23, 1999
- NY Times; Blonde Marie' Ballet Opens; April 28, 1937
- NY Times; 'Coppelia,' Danish Version; Royal Company Dances to Music by Delibes; John Martin, May 26, 1956
- NY Times; Royal Danish Troupe Bows; Greeted by a Packed House at the 'Met' 'Sylphide,' 'Graduation Ball' on Program; John Martin, September 17, 1956