Carla Fracci facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Carla Fracci
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Fracci in 2011
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Carolina Fracci
20 August 1936 Milan, Italy
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| Died | 27 May 2021 (aged 84) Milan, Italy
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| Spouse(s) |
Beppe Menegatti
(m. 1964) |
| Children | 1 |
Carolina "Carla" Fracci (born August 20, 1936 – died May 27, 2021) was a very famous Italian ballet dancer, actress, and ballet director. Many people thought she was one of the greatest ballerinas of the 20th century. She was a leading dancer at the La Scala Theatre Ballet in Milan.
Later, she worked with many international dance companies. These included the Royal Ballet in London and the American Ballet Theatre. Carla Fracci was especially known for her amazing performances in classic ballets. Some of these were La Sylphide, Giselle, Swan Lake, and Romeo and Juliet. She also performed in other ballets and even acted in films. She danced with famous partners like Erik Bruhn, Rudolf Nureyev, and Mikhail Baryshnikov. Later in her life, she became a director for several ballet companies in Italy.
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Carla Fracci's Early Life
Carla Fracci was born Carolina Fracci on August 20, 1936, in Milan, Italy. Her father was a tram driver, and her mother worked in a factory. During World War II, she lived with her relatives in the countryside.
In 1946, her mother took her and her sister to an entrance exam for the La Scala Theatre Ballet School. Carla thought the exam went very badly for her. Even though her body was not thought to be perfect for ballet, she was pretty enough to be one of the 35 students accepted.
At first, she found ballet school "a crashing bore and a terrible chore." But her mind changed when she got a small role in The Sleeping Beauty. She performed with the famous dancer Margot Fonteyn. After that, Carla started working very hard to become a great dancer. She finished her training in 1955. She was one of only six students chosen to perform in a special farewell show for graduates.
Becoming a Star Ballerina
After graduating, Carla Fracci joined the La Scala Theatre Ballet. The very next year, she was promoted to a soloist. Her big break came in 1958 when she stepped in for another dancer in the ballet Cinderella. This led to her becoming a principal dancer, which is a top role. The next year, she danced the main role in Giselle with the London Festival Ballet.
In 1963, she left La Scala because she felt she wasn't paid enough or given enough chances to dance. She decided to work as a freelance dancer instead. This meant she could dance with many different companies around the world.
Carla Fracci danced with many famous partners. Some of these included Mikhail Baryshnikov, Erik Bruhn, and Rudolf Nureyev. She performed with leading ballet companies all over the world. These included the Royal Ballet in London, the Stuttgart Ballet, and the American Ballet Theatre.
Directing Ballet Companies
Starting in the late 1980s, Carla Fracci began to direct major ballet companies in Italy. Her first directing job was with the ballet company of the Teatro San Carlo in Naples. From 1996 to 1997, she directed the Verona Arena ballet.
From 2000 to 2010, she directed the Teatro dell'Opera di Roma ballet in Rome. There, she made sure the company performed both classic ballets and newer works. She also worked hard to bring ballet to more people. She organized open-air performances in places like Paestum and even in public squares and schools.
From 2009 to 2014, she was also chosen as the Culture Assessor for the Metropolitan City of Florence. This meant she helped manage cultural activities in Florence.
Awards and Recognition
Carla Fracci received many important awards from the Italian Government. She was honored in 1983, 2000, and 2003 for her amazing achievements in ballet.
In 2004, she became a FAO Goodwill Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). This is a part of the United Nations that works to fight hunger around the world.
Carla Fracci also wrote a book about her life called Steps after Steps, which was published in 2013. She also appeared in a documentary film in 2014.
Her Later Life
In 1964, Carla Fracci married a theatre director named Beppe Menegatti. They had one son, Francesco. After she stopped dancing, they lived near Florence.
Carla Fracci passed away on May 27, 2021, in Milan, at the age of 84.
Film and TV Roles
Carla Fracci also appeared in some films and TV shows.
- In 1980, she acted in the film Nijinsky.
- In 1981, she starred in The Lady of the Camellias, which won her an award.
- She also had a main role in the TV miniseries The Life of Verdi in 1982.
- In 2021, a TV film called Carla was made about her life.
See also
In Spanish: Carla Fracci para niños
