Russian Ballet History

I am a retired dancer and former Director of Dance at the Metropolitan Opera. I danced with the Borovansky Ballet in 1957-59. Margot Fonteyn was a guest artist with company at the time. When returned home to US I auditoned and joined the American BAllet Theatre.   Following my marriage and birth of a daughter I later joined the Metropolitan Opera, hired by Dame Alicia Markova.

I was trained by David Lichine and Tatiana Riabouchinska and had many occasions to meet some former dancers of The Ballet Russes. I learned the dance of the Top from Tamara Toumanova and all the dances in Graduation Ball.   I was often a guest in the LIchine's home with other dancers and today still have contact with their daughter Tania Lichine Crawford.   A great time and great memories of a very different time in dance.

Diana Levy