# Tamara Karsavina

> Russian ballet dancer

**Wikidata**: [Q231316](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q231316)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamara_Karsavina)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/tamara-karsavina

## Summary
Tamara Karsavina was a renowned Russian ballet dancer, choreographer, and autobiographer, celebrated for her contributions to classical ballet during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. She was a principal dancer with the Imperial Russian Ballet and later the Ballets Russes, leaving a lasting legacy in the world of dance.

## Biography
- **Born:** March 10, 1885 (or February 25, 1885, depending on the calendar system)
- **Nationality:** Russian (Russian Empire)
- **Education:** Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet (founded in 1738)
- **Known for:** Her roles as a prima ballerina, choreographer, and influential figure in ballet history
- **Employer(s):** Imperial Russian Ballet, Ballets Russes
- **Field(s):** Ballet, choreography, music education

## Contributions
Tamara Karsavina made significant contributions to ballet as a performer and choreographer. She was a principal dancer with the Imperial Russian Ballet and later joined the Ballets Russes, where she performed in iconic productions such as *The Firebird* and *Petrushka*. Her autobiography provides valuable insights into the world of ballet during her era. She also contributed to music education, furthering the art form's development.

## FAQs
**What was Tamara Karsavina's most famous role?**
Tamara Karsavina is best known for her performances in *The Firebird* and *Petrushka* with the Ballets Russes, which showcased her technical skill and expressive artistry.

**Where did Tamara Karsavina study ballet?**
She trained at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in Saint Petersburg, one of the most prestigious ballet schools in the world.

**What other roles did Tamara Karsavina have besides dancing?**
In addition to being a dancer, she was a choreographer, autobiographer, and music educator, contributing to ballet in multiple capacities.

**When did Tamara Karsavina pass away?**
She died on May 26, 1978, leaving behind a legacy that continues to influence ballet.

## Why They Matter
Tamara Karsavina was a pivotal figure in the transition of ballet from the Imperial Russian tradition to the modern era. Her performances with the Ballets Russes helped popularize ballet internationally, and her teachings influenced generations of dancers. Her autobiography remains a key historical document for understanding the evolution of ballet in the early 20th century.

## Notable For
- Being a principal dancer with the Imperial Russian Ballet and Ballets Russes
- Performing in landmark productions like *The Firebird* and *Petrushka*
- Writing an autobiography that documents her life and the ballet world of her time
- Contributing to music education and choreography
- Receiving recognition in multiple cultural and academic databases (e.g., Library of Congress, Bibliothèque nationale de France)

## Body
### Early Life and Education
Tamara Platonovna Karsavina was born on March 10, 1885 (or February 25, 1885, depending on the calendar system) in the Russian Empire. She trained at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in Saint Petersburg, an institution founded in 1738 that remains one of the most prestigious ballet schools globally.

### Career as a Dancer
Karsavina became a principal dancer with the Imperial Russian Ballet, where she gained fame for her technical precision and expressive performances. She later joined the Ballets Russes, a revolutionary ballet company founded by Sergei Diaghilev. With the Ballets Russes, she performed in groundbreaking productions such as *The Firebird* (1910) and *Petrushka* (1911), which were choreographed by Michel Fokine and featured music by Igor Stravinsky. These performances cemented her reputation as one of the greatest ballerinas of her time.

### Choreography and Teaching
Beyond her performances, Karsavina contributed to ballet as a choreographer and educator. She worked on creating new choreographies and was involved in music education, helping to shape the next generation of dancers.

### Autobiography and Legacy
Karsavina wrote an autobiography that provides a firsthand account of her life and the ballet world during the early 20th century. This work is a valuable resource for historians and ballet enthusiasts, offering insights into the artistic and cultural milieu of the time.

### Recognition and Influence
Her contributions to ballet have been widely recognized. She is listed in numerous cultural and academic databases, including the Library of Congress (ID: n79122073), Bibliothèque nationale de France (ID: 143685376), and the German National Library (GND ID: 143685376). Her influence extends to modern ballet, where her techniques and performances continue to inspire dancers and choreographers.

### Later Life and Death
Tamara Karsavina passed away on May 26, 1978. Her legacy endures through her performances, writings, and the countless dancers she influenced throughout her career.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
3. Archivio Storico Ricordi
4. BnF authorities
5. The Peerage
6. datos.bne.es
7. International Standard Name Identifier
8. MusicBrainz
9. CiNii Research
10. Great Russian Encyclopedia
11. Writers of St. Petersburg. XX century
12. Encyclopædia Britannica Online
13. SNAC
14. Find a Grave
15. filmportal.de
16. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
17. Munzinger Personen
18. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
19. Virtual International Authority File
20. [BnF authorities](http://data.bnf.fr/ark:/12148/cb12241588g)
21. BBC Things
22. performing-arts.ch
23. Media Library for Dance and Theatre