Nadia
Nerina

Jury member of Benois de la Danse

Nadia Nerina was born in Capetown, in South Africa. Nerina is her mother's name originated from the name of pink flowers growing at the of the montains. She was trained in Cheketty's traditions which were taught by two remarkable tutors in Durban, Ailin Kigan and Dorothy MeMeyer; they, in their turn, studied in London and were trained by Margareth Graske, a pupil of Cheketty. Kigan danced in Dandre's Company —he was Anna Pavlova's husband in her latest years. Olga Spesivtseva was a Star of the Company and Michail Fokin conducted rehearsals.

After the war Nerina moved to London. She attended Mary Ramber's short courses before joining the junior group of “Sadlers Wells“ Ballet where she performed a part of a circus dancer in „Mardi Crasse” by John Crank. At once she attracted the attention of the audience, and Mr. Haskel compared her with young Lidia Lopukhova. In a year she joined Royal Opera Company Covent Garden.

In 1952 she got a title of ballerina when she was 25(“SadLers Wells“ Company was later renamed as “Royal Ballet“).

Nerina captivated the audience by her perfect technique, her light and unbelievably high leaps, range of her dance made a special impression in classic parts. Soon she acquired international recognition, particularly, by performing parts ofSvanilda in “Coppelia“, Odetta-Odillia in „Swan Lake”, Princess Aurora in „Sleeping Beauty” and Giselle. Among the most successful parts of the ballerina was a part of Lisa in „Vain Precaution” by Frederik Ashton, which became one of the most successful performances of Royal Ballet.

In 1960 Nadia Nerina was warmly received in Moscow and St. Petersburg. In the Bolshoi Theatre she danced in “Swan Lake” with Nikolai Fadeechev, and in Mariinski — “Giselle“ with Konstantin Sergeev.

She is also well known thanks to TV programmes, „Giselle” with Nikolai Fadeechev broadcast by BBC remained in memory of the audience. She married Charles Gordon, banker and writer; they live in London and Cote d' Azur in the South of France.

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