Vera Karalli (1888-1972)

Vera Karalli (1888-1972) joined the Bolshoi in 1906 and was appointed Ballerina in 1914. Vera danced with the Diaghilev Ballet in 1909 and again in 1919-20, performing mostly in Le Pavillion d'Armide, Thamar, and Prince Igor. She became one of Russia's first film stars. Karalli lived in Paris from 1938-1941 and then moved to Vienna where she remained until the end of her life.

(First published May 1995)

When I start teaching you like a dilettante, it will be time for you to find another teacher.