Margot Fonteyn:
1956 Fonteyn in 'Birthday Offering'.
Gala programme: www.flickr.com/photos/w77t/31616208571/in/photostream
Frederick Ashton created Birthday Offering to celebrate The Royal Ballet’s 25th anniversary - they were about to receive a royal charter and change their name from Sadler's Wells Ballet to The Royal Ballet.
The world première took place at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden on 5th May 1956 and seven ballerinas take solo roles as well as being paired with solo male dancers - Margot Fonteyn was paired with Michael Somes.
That evening Birthday Offering was sandwiched between 'The Rake's Progress' and 'Façade' - both starring Robert Helpmann.
Born [Margaret Evelyn Hookham] on 18th May 1919 in Reigate, England and died on 21st Feb 1991 in Panama City, Panama.
Her debut was with the Vic-Wells Ballet in 1934 and initially danced under the name of Peggy Hookham then Margot Fontes, then Margot Fonteyn.
In the 1930s she and Robert Helpmann formed a very successful dance partnership and they dance together for 25 years.
Fonteyn was awarded a DBE in 1956.
Appointed prima ballerina assoluta of the Royal Ballet in 1979, as a gift for her 60th Birthday. The title was sanctioned by Queen Elizabeth II as patron of the company.
As a dancer she made her last appearance in Nureyev's 1979 summer season, and in Feb 1986 she appeared on stage for the last time as 'The Queen' in "The Sleeping Beauty".
Margot Fonteyn:
1956 Fonteyn in 'Birthday Offering'.
Gala programme: www.flickr.com/photos/w77t/31616208571/in/photostream
Frederick Ashton created Birthday Offering to celebrate The Royal Ballet’s 25th anniversary - they were about to receive a royal charter and change their name from Sadler's Wells Ballet to The Royal Ballet.
The world première took place at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden on 5th May 1956 and seven ballerinas take solo roles as well as being paired with solo male dancers - Margot Fonteyn was paired with Michael Somes.
That evening Birthday Offering was sandwiched between 'The Rake's Progress' and 'Façade' - both starring Robert Helpmann.
Born [Margaret Evelyn Hookham] on 18th May 1919 in Reigate, England and died on 21st Feb 1991 in Panama City, Panama.
Her debut was with the Vic-Wells Ballet in 1934 and initially danced under the name of Peggy Hookham then Margot Fontes, then Margot Fonteyn.
In the 1930s she and Robert Helpmann formed a very successful dance partnership and they dance together for 25 years.
Fonteyn was awarded a DBE in 1956.
Appointed prima ballerina assoluta of the Royal Ballet in 1979, as a gift for her 60th Birthday. The title was sanctioned by Queen Elizabeth II as patron of the company.
As a dancer she made her last appearance in Nureyev's 1979 summer season, and in Feb 1986 she appeared on stage for the last time as 'The Queen' in "The Sleeping Beauty".