Born: 1927 (Bloemfontein, South Africa)
Died: 2008
Biography:
Nadia Nerina (21 October 1927 6 October 2008) was a South African dancer who was one of the most gifted, versatile, and inspiring ballerinas of The Royal Ballet during the 1950s and 1960s. She was known for her technical virtuosity, lightness afoot, effortless-seeming jumps, and joyful charm onstage, especially in comedic roles.
Early life and training
Born as Nadine Judd in Bloemfontein, the provincial capital of the Orange Free State (now Free State Province) in central South Africa, she was a descendant of British settlers who had immigrated to the diamond-rich area in search of a new life. Her parents, who were in the English-speaking minority of the city, where Afrikaans was the official language, encouraged her childhood interest in theater. Her first stage appearance was at the age of 8 or 9, when she appeared as Cio-Cio San’s child in a local production of Madama Butterfly.
Her serious study of dance did not come until after her parents moved the family to Durban, the major city in the coastal province of Natal (now KwaZulu-Natal). There she studied drama with Elizabeth Sneddon at Natal University, ballet with Eileen Keegan, a gifted teacher who had danced with Anna Pavlova’s company, and stagecraft and mime with Dorothea McNair. Keegan is credited with laying the foundations of Nerina’s strong classical ballet technique.
After Judd’s mother died, while she was in her early teens, her teachers advised her father to send their talented pupil to England for further instruction. In 1945, not long after World War II had ended in Europe, Mr. Judd arranged passage for his daughter on a ship sailing from Cape Town to Southampton. She was 17 or 18 at the time. Once settled in London, with aspirations to join Ballet Rambert, she sought out and took classes with Marie Rambert, who befriended her and encouraged her. She then went on to the Sadler’s Wells Ballet School, under the direction of Ninette de Valois, and to the studio of Elsa Brunelleschi, where she studied Spanish dancing.
While still a student at Sadler’s Wells, she appeared as a nursemaid to the baby Princess Aurora in the famous production of The Sleeping Beauty mounted for the reopening of the Royal Opera House on 20 February 1946. The following summer, intent on improving her classical technique, she went to Paris with her friend Elaine Fifield, to study with Olga Preobrajenska, a former star of the Russian Imperial Ballet in Saint Petersburg.
Professional career
Upon returning to England in the autumn, Judd danced briefly with the Sadler’s Wells Opera Ballet, which soon was reformed and renamed the Sadler’s Wells Theatre Ballet. There, under the guidance of ballet mistress Peggy van Praagh, she worked with renowned choreographers such as Frederick Ashton and Robert Helpmann. It was Ashton who gave her the stage name Nadia Nerina. She quickly rose through the ranks of the company, earning leading roles and critical acclaim for her technical brilliance and expressive performances.
In 1950, she was promoted to principal dancer, becoming the youngest principal in the history of the Sadler’s Wells Ballet, which later became The Royal Ballet. Nerina’s talent and versatility allowed her to dance a wide range of roles, from classical to contemporary, and she excelled in both. She became known for her performances in Swan Lake, Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty, and The Nutcracker, among others. Nerina was particularly admired for her comedic timing and charm, and she brought a sense of joyful exuberance to her comedic roles, winning over audiences with her playful and effervescent performances.
Throughout her career, Nerina collaborated with many prominent choreographers, including Kenneth MacMillan, John Cranko, and Roland Petit, among others. Her collaborations with Ashton were particularly memorable, and she was often chosen to debut his new works. Nerina’s technical virtuosity, grace, and artistry made her a favorite of audiences and critics alike. She was known for her flawless technique, effortless jumps, and beautiful lines, which made her performances a delight to watch.
After an illustrious performing career, Nerina retired from The Royal Ballet in 1966. However, she continued to make guest appearances and taught masterclasses around the world. She also appeared in television productions and served as a judge for ballet competitions. Nerina’s impact on the world of ballet was far-reaching, and her artistry inspired generations of dancers.
Nadia Nerina passed away on October 6, 2008, leaving behind a lasting legacy as one of the greatest ballerinas of her time. Her technical brilliance, versatility, and joyful charm continue to inspire and influence dancers to this day. She played a vital role in advancing the art of ballet and made significant contributions to women’s history in the arts.
Awards:
– Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 1961 for her services to ballet
– Frederick Ashton Award for her outstanding achievements in ballet in 1966
– Royal Academy of Dance Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award in recognition of her contribution to dancing and dancers in 2000
– Cape Times Hall of Fame Award for her extraordinary contributions to ballet in 2001