Markova, << mahr KOH vuh, >> Alicia (1910-2004), is considered the first great English ballerina. At 14, she joined Sergei Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes and became a soloist. After the company disbanded in 1929, she danced with Ballet Rambert (now the Rambert Dance Company) and with the Sadler’s Wells Ballet (now the Royal Ballet). With these companies, she performed all the principal ballerina roles in the first English productions of the classics. In 1935, she formed the Markova-Dolin Ballet with English dancer Anton Dolin. Her greatest role was the title character in Giselle. Markova described her experiences in the role in Giselle and I (1960). She also wrote a memoir, Markova Remembers (1986).
Markova was born in London on Dec. 1, 1910. Her real name was Lillian Alicia Marks. She retired as a dancer in 1963 and then served as director of the Metropolitan Opera Ballet in New York City until 1969. She remained active as a coach, teacher, and lecturer. Queen Elizabeth II made Markova a Dame Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 1963, and she became known as Dame Alicia Markova. Markova died on Dec. 2, 2004.
