Born: 1885 (Saint Petersburg, Russia)
Died: 1978 (London, United Kingdom)
Biography:
Tamara Platonovna Karsavina (Russian: Тамара Платоновна Карсавина; 9 March 1885 – 26 May 1978) was a Russian prima ballerina, renowned for her beauty, who was a principal artist of the Imperial Russian Ballet and later of the Ballets Russes of Sergei Diaghilev. After settling in Britain at Hampstead in London, she began teaching ballet professionally and became recognized as one of the founders of modern British ballet. She assisted in the establishment of The Royal Ballet and was a founder member of the Royal Academy of Dance, which is now the world’s largest dance-teaching organization.
Family and Early Life:
Tamara Karsavina was born in Saint Petersburg, the daughter of Platon Konstantinovich Karsavin and his wife, Anna Iosifovna (née Khomyakova). Her father, Platon Karsavin, was a principal dancer and mime with the Imperial Ballet and also taught as an instructor at the Imperial Ballet School (Vaganova Ballet Academy). He had notable students, including Michel Fokine, who would become Tamara’s future dancing partner and paramour. Tamara’s older brother, Lev Platonovich Karsavin, became a religious philosopher and medieval historian. Her niece, Marianna Karsavina, married Ukrainian author and artistic patron Pyotr Suvchinsky. Through her mother, Tamara was distantly related to Aleksey Khomyakov, a religious poet and co-founder of the Slavophile movement.
Tamara’s father had once been the favorite pupil of Marius Petipa, a renowned teacher and choreographer. However, their relationship deteriorated in later years, with Tamara suspecting that Petipa was behind the political intrigue that resulted in her father being forced into early retirement. Despite the setback, Platon continued to teach at the Imperial Ballet School and retained some private pupils, but he was disillusioned by the experience. Tamara later recalled that the blow to her parents’ pride was more significant than the financial considerations. They lived from hand to mouth, never looking ahead, spending more when there was something to spend, and somehow fitting in when there wasn’t. Platon had expected to be kept for the second service, like other artists of his standing, and he was deeply saddened by his departure from the stage.
Education:
Due to her father’s bitter experiences, Platon initially refused to allow Tamara to study ballet. However, her mother, Anna, interceded on her behalf. Anna had a dream of making Tamara a dancer and believed it to be a beautiful career for a woman. She noticed Tamara’s love for dressing up and spending time in front of the mirror, and she felt that Tamara had a natural flair for the stage. Without seeking Platon’s permission, Anna arranged for Tamara to begin taking ballet lessons with a family friend, Vera Joukova. It was only months later that Tamara’s father discovered that she had already started dancing lessons.
Tamara’s father eventually came to terms with her decision to pursue ballet and supported her passion. At the age of 10, Tamara was accepted into the Imperial Ballet School, where she received formal training in classical ballet. She worked tirelessly to perfect her techniques and quickly rose through the ranks, gaining recognition for her exceptional talent, grace, and expressive performances.
Career:
Upon completing her training, Tamara Karsavina joined the Imperial Ballet as a soloist in 1902. She quickly became one of the company’s leading dancers, captivating audiences with her ethereal beauty and exquisite technique. Her interpretations of classical ballet roles, such as Odette/Odile in Swan Lake and the title character in Giselle, earned her critical acclaim and worldwide fame.
In 1909, Sergei Diaghilev invited Tamara to join the newly formed Ballets Russes, a groundbreaking dance company that would revolutionize the world of ballet. She became one of the company’s principal artists and worked closely with choreographers such as Michel Fokine and Vaslav Nijinsky. Tamara’s performances in ballets like The Firebird, Petrushka, and Scheherazade were revolutionary, blending traditional ballet technique with innovative choreography and storytelling.
Tamara Karsavina toured extensively with the Ballets Russes, captivating audiences in Europe and America. She was praised for her exceptional artistry, technical precision, and emotional depth. Tamara’s collaborations with choreographer George Balanchine, who would later establish the New York City Ballet, were particularly influential and helped shape the future of ballet.
After the Ballets Russes disbanded in 1929, Tamara settled in Hampstead, London, and embarked on a new phase of her career as a ballet teacher and choreographer. She became a sought-after teacher, sharing her knowledge and expertise with dancers from around the world. Tamara played a vital role in the establishment of The Royal Ballet in London and the development of the British ballet scene, which was relatively nascent at the time.
In recognition of her contributions to the world of dance, Tamara Karsavina was appointed a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE) in 1950. She received numerous awards and accolades throughout her career, honoring her artistic achievements and enduring legacy.
Tamara Karsavina continued to teach and inspire generations of dancers until her death on May 26, 1978, in London. Her passion for ballet, dedication to the art form, and pioneering spirit continue to resonate, making her a true icon of the dance world.
Awards:
– Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire (DBE), 1950.