Alessandra Ferri facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Alessandra Ferri
|
|
|---|---|
Alessandra Ferri and Mikhail Baryshnikov in 1986
|
|
| Born | 6 May 1963 Milan, Italy
|
| Years active | 1980–2007, 2013- |
| Former groups | Royal Ballet American Ballet Theatre La Scala Theatre Ballet |
Alessandra Ferri (born May 6, 1963) is a world-famous Italian ballet dancer, known as a prima ballerina. This is a special title for a leading female dancer in a ballet company.
She has performed with some of the best ballet companies in the world, including the Royal Ballet in London, the American Ballet Theatre in New York, and the La Scala Theatre Ballet in her home country of Italy. After a short retirement, she returned to the stage in 2013 and continues to perform today. Some people even call her a prima ballerina assoluta, the highest honor a ballerina can receive.
Contents
A Dancer's Journey
Alessandra Ferri was born in Milan, Italy. She knew she wanted to be a dancer from a young age. She started her training at the famous La Scala Theatre Ballet School.
Later, she moved to London to study at the Royal Ballet School. In 1980, she competed in a major international ballet competition called the Prix de Lausanne. She won a scholarship that allowed her to finish her studies at the school.
The Royal Ballet in London
In 1980, Ferri joined the Royal Ballet company. She quickly became a star. In 1982, she was nominated for a big award, the Laurence Olivier Award, for her first major role in a ballet called Mayerling.
The very next year, she won the Olivier Award for her amazing performance in Valley of Shadows. Because of her incredible talent, she was promoted to Principal Dancer in 1983. This is the highest rank a dancer can achieve in a company.
American Ballet Theatre
In 1985, the famous dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov asked Ferri to join the American Ballet Theatre as a Principal Dancer. She accepted his offer because she wanted a new challenge and a more intense training schedule. She danced with the company for over 20 years.
For her final performance with the company in 2007, she danced the role of Juliet in Romeo and Juliet.
La Scala Theatre Ballet
Starting in 1992, Ferri also became a regular guest star at the La Scala Theatre Ballet in Milan. The company honored her with the title of Prima Ballerina Assoluta, recognizing her as one of the greatest dancers of her generation.
Return to the Stage
After retiring in 2007, Ferri couldn't stay away from dancing for long. She made a comeback in 2013. Since then, she has starred in many new and exciting productions.
She has performed in ballets like Woolf Works with the Royal Ballet and appeared at the famous Royal Opera House in London. She continues to inspire audiences around the world with her powerful performances.
Famous Roles and Performances
Throughout her career, many famous choreographers (people who create the dance moves for ballets) have created roles especially for her. This is a huge honor for a dancer.
Some of her most famous roles were in ballets created by Sir Kenneth MacMillan, Roland Petit, and John Neumeier. She is known for her ability to tell a story through her dancing.
As a guest artist, Ferri has danced with many of the world's top ballet companies, including:
- The Paris Opera Ballet
- The Kirov Ballet in Russia
- The National Ballet of Canada
- The Hamburg Ballet in Germany
She has also danced with many legendary male partners, such as Rudolf Nureyev and Mikhail Baryshnikov.
Awards and Honors
Alessandra Ferri has won many awards for her dancing. Here are a few of her major achievements:
- 1983: Won the Laurence Olivier Award for her performance in a new dance production.
- 1992: Named Prima Ballerina Assoluta by La Scala Theatre Ballet.
- 2000: Received the Prix Benois de la Danse, which is like the Oscars for dance.
- 2004: Was made a Knight of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, a special honor from her home country.
- 2016: Won another Olivier Award for her outstanding achievement in dance.
Personal Life
Ferri has two daughters, Matilde and Emma. When she gave her farewell performance in 2007, her daughters joined her on stage for the final curtain call. Their father is the Italian photographer Fabrizio Ferri.
See also
In Spanish: Alessandra Ferri para niños
