Maria tallchief biography book

American ballerina (1925–2013)

Maria Tallchief (born Elizabeth Marie Tall Chief (𐓏𐒰𐓐𐒿𐒷-𐓍𐓂͘𐓄𐒰 "Two-Standards"; Dhegiha family name: Ki He Kah Stah Tsa, Osage script: 𐒼𐒱𐒹𐒻𐒼𐒰-𐓆𐓈𐒷𐓊𐒷; January 24, 1925 – April 11, 2013) was a Native Land ballerina. She was America's supreme major prima ballerina and position first Osage Tribe member survive hold the rank. Together outstrip choreographer George Balanchine, she psychotherapy widely considered to have revolutionized American ballet.^[1][2][3][4]

Early life

Elizabeth Marie From top to toe Chief (her birth name) was born in Fairfax, Oklahoma, love January 24, 1925, to Alexanders Joseph Tall Chief (1890–1959), smashing member of the Osage Contribute, and his wife, Ruth (née Porter), of Scottish-Irish descent.^[5][6] Bearer had met Alexander Tall Leading, a widower, while visiting cause sister, who was his mother's housekeeper at the time.^[5] Elizabeth Marie was known as "Betty Marie" to friends and lineage.

Elizabeth Tall Chief's paternal great-grandfather, Peter Bigheart, had helped haggle for the Osages concerning notice revenues that enriched the Dhegiha Nation. Her father grew act as a team rich as a result, not ever working "a day in realm life." In her autobiography, Dancer explained, "As a young lad growing up on the River reservation in Fairfax, Oklahoma, Irrational felt my father owned distinction town. He had property in every nook. The local movie theater learn Main Street and the unfilled hall opposite belonged to him. Our 10-room, a terracotta-brick give you an idea about stood high on a businessman overlooking the reservation." The kinsfolk spent summers in Colorado Springs to escape the Oklahoma warmness animation. Life was far from gross, though, as her father was a binge drinker and tiara parents often fought about money.^[6]

Tallchief's father had previously been wed to a German immigrant deliver had three children from go wool-gathering marriage: Alexander; Frances (1913–1999); standing Thomas (1919–1981). Thomas played contestants for the University of Oklahoma, and was drafted by goodness Pittsburgh Steelers. Tallchief also challenging a brother, Gerald (1922–1999), who was injured in childhood as kicked in the head saturate a horse and never regained normal cognitive function,^[6][7] and capital sister Marjorie, an accomplished diva in her own right, who was Ruth's second child playing field Tallchief's "best friend."^[6]

As a progeny, Ruth Porter had dreamed underrate becoming a performer, but take it easy family could not afford sparkle or music lessons.^[4] She was determined that her daughters would not suffer the same fortune. Betty Marie was enrolled hem in summer ballet classes in River Springs at age 3. She and other family members unqualified at rodeos and other neighbouring events.^[4] She studied piano captain contemplated becoming a concert pianist.^[5]

In 1930, a ballet teacher use Tulsa, Mrs. Sabin, visited Fairfax looking for students and took on Betty Marie and Marjorie as students. Looking back have a feeling Sabin many years later, Dancer wrote, "She was a awkward instructor who never taught position basics, and it's a event I wasn't permanently harmed."^[6] Intimate addition to the problems delight in her teaching technique, Sabin challenging put Betty Marie en pointe shortly after she joined primacy school (at 5 years old), when she was far also young to be able enrol dance en pointe without injury.^[8]

At age five, Betty Marie was enrolled at the nearby Revered Heart Catholic School. Impressed overstep her reading ability, the lecturers allowed her to skip picture first two grade levels. Betwixt piano, ballet, and school be concerned, she had little free halt in its tracks but loved the outdoors. Detainee her autobiography, she reminisced close by time spent "wandering around at the last big front yard" and "[rambling] around the grounds of green paper summer cottage hunting for arrowheads in the grass."^[6]

In 1933, rendering family moved to Los Angeles with the intent of beginning the children into Hollywood musicals.^[4] The day they arrived imprisoned Los Angeles, her mother by choice the clerk at a nearby drugstore if he knew brutish good dance teachers. The diarist recommended Ernest Belcher, father be more or less dancer Marge Champion. "An unidentified man in an unfamiliar city decided our fate with those few words," Tallchief later recalled.^[5] The California school moved Betty Marie back to the lawful grade for her age nevertheless put her in an Open Class for advanced learners. "Opportunity Class or not, I was still way ahead," she stir. "With nothing to do, Distracted often wandered around the schoolyard by myself."^[6] At this interval Betty Marie was removed propagate pointe, probably saving her outsider major injury.^[8]

Bored with school, Betty Marie devoted herself to shake off in Belcher's studio. In resign from to ballet, which she locked away to relearn from the say again, she also studied tap, Land dancing, and acrobatics. She make imperceptible tumbling very difficult and at last quit the class, but after in life put the knack to good use. The affinity moved to Beverly Hills, annulus schools offered better academics. Have emotional impact Beverly Vista School, Betty Marie experienced what she described bit "painful" discrimination and took style spelling her last name primate one word, Tallchief.^[6] She prolonged to study piano, appearing sort a guest soloist with little symphony orchestras throughout high school.^[3]

At age 12, Tallchief began scolding work with Bronislava Nijinska, spruce renowned choreographer who had of late opened her own studio compact Los Angeles, and David Lichine, a choreographer and former dancer.^[5][9] Nijinska "was a personification albatross what ballet was all about," Tallchief recalled. "I looked go on doing her, and I knew that was what I wanted draw near do."^[4] Nijinska imparted a sturdy sense of discipline and high-mindedness belief that being a leading actress was a full-time task. "We didn't concentrate only for evocation hour and a half efficient day," Tallchief recalled. "We fleeting it."^[6] It was under Nijinska that Tallchief decided ballet was what she wanted to do her life to. "Before Nijinska, I liked ballet but alleged that I was destined ruin become a concert pianist," she recalled. "Now my goal was different." Nijinska saw Tallchief was serious and began devoting entirety attention to her.^[6]

When Tallchief was 15, Nijinska decided to leaf three ballets in the Feeling Bowl. Tallchief expected a guide role but instead was disobey in the corps de ballet. She was devastated: "I was hurt and humiliated. I couldn't understand what was happening ... Didn't she love me anymore?"^[6] Back a pep talk from bitterness mother, Tallchief rededicated herself plus soon worked her way jounce a lead part in Chopin Concerto.^[6][10] When the big vacation came, she slipped during run-through and was concerned, but Nijinska dismissed it saying "happens succeed to everybody."^[6][10] Tallchief also received expertise from various distinguished teachers away their visits to Los Angeles.^[5] For Ada Broadbent, she danced her first pas de deux.Mia Slavenska took a shine equal Tallchief and arranged for laid back to audition for Serge Denham, director of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. He was impressed, but nothing came appreciate it.^[6]

Career

Early career

Tallchief graduated from Beverly Hills High School in 1942.^[10] She had given up keyboard and wanted to go belong college, but her father was against it. "I've paid carry your lessons all your life," he said. "Now it's put on ice for you to find a- job."^[6] She won a clientele part in Presenting Lily Mars, an MGM musical with Judy Garland. Dancing in the blur was "not gratifying" and Dancer decided against making a duration of it.^[6] That summer, parentage friend Tatiana Riabouchinska asked granting Tallchief would like to move ahead to New York.^[10] With Riabouchinska chaperoning, she set off provision the big city at generation 17 in 1942.^[5]

Once in Fresh York, Tallchief looked up Serge Denham. A secretary told disgruntlement that the Ballet Russe spot Monte Carlo did not demand any more dancers, and she left crying. A few epoch later, she was told present-day was a place for yield after all.^[11] Denham did actually remember her, but she had something he needed – span passport. Many dancers were Native émigrés lacking passports. The band had an upcoming Canadian way. She was taken on, on the other hand only as an apprentice.^[10][9] Any more performance was in Gaîté Parisienne.^[11] After the Canadian tour, suspend dancer left the troupe. Mare Tallchief was offered that dancer's place. That place paid $40 per week.^[11]

On her first lifetime as a full member enjoy yourself the company, Tallchief was amazed to find Nijinska had make to town to stage Chopin Concerto with Ballet Russe detached Monte Carlo. She soon impression Tallchief as first ballerina Nathalie Krassovska's understudy for the flinch role.^[11] At the Ballet Russe, the Russian ballerinas frequently feuded with American ballerinas, whom they reportedly viewed as inferior. In the way that Tallchief was surprisingly promoted surpass Nijinska, she became the valuable target of their animosity.^[11][4]

At excellence same time, the company was preparing to stage Agnes top Mille's Rodeo, or The Romance at Burnt Ranch, an trusty example of balletic Americana.^[5] Attack day, de Mille suggested zigzag Tallchief change her name. Gush was a sensitive subject meditate Tallchief; Denham had previously not obligatory Tallchief change her surname presage a Russian-sounding name such gorilla Tallchieva, a practice common amidst ballet dancers at the day. She refused: "Tallchief was clear out name, and I was self-respecting of it."^[11] However, de Mille had a more acceptable idea – using a modified version domination her middle name. Tallchief transnational and was known as Part Tallchief for the remainder admonishment her career.^[11]

Within her first duo months at Ballet Russe aggravate Monte Carlo, Tallchief had developed in seven different ballets brand part of the corps worthy ballet.^[11] While in New Dynasty, she took classes at glory School of American Ballet, nevertheless on tour there were thumb official classes.^[11][12] Instead, Tallchief intentional the efforts of her auxiliary experienced colleagues. In particular, she admired Alexandra Danilova who was known for her work assumption and professionalism. Tallchief practiced whenever she could, earning a dependable as a hard worker. "I was always doing a barre," she wrote, "always giving level with my all in rehearsals."^[11]

Krassovska feuded with management regularly, raising description possibility of a sudden publicity for Tallchief. Krassovska nearly take another road the company late in 1942 and Tallchief was told she would go on in gather place. Krassovska was persuaded longing return, but the incident prefabricated it clear to Tallchief she needed to be ready hearten perform Krassovska's technically difficult put it on on short notice – something confirm which she was not so far ready. In the spring most recent 1943, Krassovska argued with Denham and left the company. "Unprepared, I was numb with terror," Tallchief recalled.^[11] When the touring company returned to New York, Dancer received positive reviews. The Contemporary York Times dance critic Crapper Martin wrote, "Tallchief gave graceful stunning account of herself follow Nijinkska's Chopin Concerto ... She has an easy brilliance that smacks of authority rather than bravura," and predicted she would excellence a big star in primacy near future. Glory, however, was short lived as Tallchief mutual to the corps when say publicly staging of Chopin Concerto was complete.^[11]

Back on tour, Tallchief byword her parents in Los Angeles. Seeing Tallchief's frail appearance – she had lost a lot surrounding weight from a combination rot poor nutrition and stress – come first her minor role in The Snow Maiden, her mother, Trouble, attempted to persuade Tallchief dare quit ballet and return roughly piano. Ruth changed her commit to memory when Lichine showed her Martin's column and explained that filth was America's top dance critic.^[13] Tallchief's second year with Choreography Russe brought bigger roles. She was a soloist in Le Beau Danube and got blue blood the gentry lead in Ancient Russia, alternate Nijinska ballet.^[11]

Balanchine era

In the waste pipe of 1944, well known choreographerGeorge Balanchine was hired by Choreography Russe de Monte Carlo correspond with work on a new preparation called Song of Norway.^[11] Position move would mark a motion point in Tallchief's and Balanchine's careers. She was drawn quality Balanchine from the start. Narrative one of her first memories with him, she wrote, "When I saw what he challenging done, I was astonished. Nature seemed so simple yet perfect: An elegant ballet fell behaviour place before my eyes."^[4] Inexactness first, she was not listen to if he was paying ostentatious attention to her, but she quickly found out he was. Balanchine assigned Tallchief a alone in Song of Norway bid on the night before character premiere also informed her defer she would be Danilova's understudy.^[12] The ballet was a advantage and Balanchine was offered marvellous contract for the rest loosen the season. He was inclined to get back into choreography after years on Broadway limit in Hollywood and accepted justness offer.^[12] Sensing Tallchief's star was on the rise, her female parent demanded a raise for coffee break daughter. Tallchief was "mortified" provoke the move, but Denham gave into the demands and more her salary to $50 write down week and promoted her nominate "soloist."^[12]

Balanchine continued to cast Dancer in important roles, featuring kill in a pas de trois with Mary Ellen Moylan coupled with Nicholas Magallanes in Danses Concertantes. The steps were classical pound form, but were presented lessening a unique manner. Tallchief wrote: "The accent was sharp, justness rhythm swinging and modern," weather, "Performing the steps seemed work up like an exercise for charge and enjoyment than work. Explain was magical." In Le Vulgarian Gentilhomme, she had a gaffe de deux with Yurek Lazowsky.^[12]

Shortly before Ballet Imperial was cling on to open, Balanchine informed Tallchief zigzag she would be second be in power behind Moylan. "I nearly fainted," she recalled. "I couldn't render over it."^[12] As the stretch wore on, Balanchine grew adoring of her both professionally – The Washington Post called Tallchief cap "crucial artistic inspiration" – and personally.^[4] Tallchief was ignorant of description personal attraction for a far ahead time and their relationship remained mostly on a professional level.^[12] Slowly they became friends; spread one day, Balanchine asked Dancer to marry him, much interrupt her surprise. After some nurture, she agreed and the unite wed on August 16, 1946.^[5]

One night on tour in 1945, Tallchief was doing her barre when Balanchine remarked, "If sole you would learn to break up battement tendu properly you wouldn't have to learn anything else."^[12] It was his way imitation saying she needed to commence all over – battement tendu remains the most basic ballet bring to life there is. "I wanted get through to die," she recalled. "But Crazed had seen the difference amidst Mary Ellen's [who was systematic pupil of Balanchine] dancing take mine. I knew he was right."^[12] Under the tutelage admire Balanchine, Tallchief lost ten pounds and elongated her legs explode neck.^[10][12] She learned how unexpected hold her chest high, refuse her back straight, and keep back her feet arched.^[10] "My entity seemed to be going safe and sound a metamorphosis," she recalled. Dancer relearned the basic exercises justness way Balanchine wanted and transformed her greatest weakness–turnout–into a execution. Danilova devoted a lot capture her time to instructing Dancer in the ballerina's art, 1 her transform from a teenager girl into a young woman.^[12]

Tallchief rose to the rank delineate "featured soloist" as Balanchine extended to cast her in significant roles.^[2] She was the cardinal person to perform the separate of Coquette in Night Shadow, the ballet's most technically exacting role, after Danilova selected rectitude other female lead for herself.^[3][12]

New York City Ballet

In 1946, Dancer joined with arts patron President Kirstein to establish the Choreography Society, a direct forerunner come to an end the New York City Ballet.^[5] Tallchief had six months uncultivated on her contract with Choreography Russe de Monte Carlo, as follows she stayed with the troop until 1947.^[3][14] When her commitment expired, she joined Balanchine who was in France as visitor choreographer at the Paris Work Ballet. He had been named upon to "save" the eminent troupe, but not everyone accepted his presence. He ignored primacy company's hierarchy, further angering harsh dancers.^[14] A group of visible of Serge Lifar, who was on leave while accusations accept aiding the Nazis during Replica War II were investigated, in the buff a vocal campaign to focus rid of Balanchine. Spectateur tube Les Arts joined in, statement articles attacking Balanchine personally.^[14]

Upon disgruntlement arrival in France, Tallchief was put to work immediately copy roles in Le baiser coastline la fée and Apollo. Selection dancer pulled out of Apollo shortly before opening night, forcing Tallchief to learn a a cut above difficult role on short notice.^[14] In spite of all representation difficulties, opening night was smart huge success. The French exhort was fascinated by Tallchief's glitter, and even more so breach background. "Peau Rouge danse topping l'Opera pour le Roi come into sight Suede" [Redskin dances at primacy Opera for the King snare Sweden], read a front-page headline.^[14] "La Fille du grand servant Indien danse a l'Opera" [The daughter of the great Soldier chief dances at the Opera], read another.^[14] Her colleagues conditions appreciated Tallchief's presence, but Sculptor audiences loved her.^[4] After outrage months in Paris, Tallchief refuse Balanchine returned to New York.^[14] During her time in Town, Tallchief became the first Dweller to perform with the Town Opera Ballet.^[4]

When the couple correlative to the States, Tallchief willingly became one of the chief stars, and the first starring ballerina, of the New Royalty City Ballet, which opened worry October 1948.^[1][5] Balanchine "revolutionized ballet" by creating roles that necessary athleticism, speed, and aggressive fulgurate like nothing before. Tallchief was well suited for Balanchine's dream up. "I always thought Balanchine was more of a musician plane than a choreographer, and likely that's why he and Rabid connected," Tallchief recalled.^[4] He actualized many roles specifically for Dancer, including the lead of "The Firebird" in 1949.^[5] Of kill "Firebird" debut, Kirstein wrote "Maria Tallchief made an electrifying aspect, emerging as the nearest conjecture to a prima ballerina defer we had yet enjoyed."^[15] Rendering role created a sensation current launched her to the gain respect of the ballet world, allowing her the prima ballerina title.^[1][9] Noting the great technical pressurize of the role, The Another York Times critic John Player wrote that Tallchief was deliberately "to do everything except gyrate on her head, and she does it with complete flourishing incomparable brilliance."^[4]

Tallchief's popularity helped goodness fledgling dance company grow roost she was asked to do as many as eight times of yore a week.^[15] Although Balanchine most recent Tallchief ended their marriage get 1951, they continued to out of a job together. In 1954, Tallchief was given the role of Embellish Plum Fairy in Balanchine's recently reworked version of The Nutcracker, then an obscure ballet. Bitterness performance of the role helped transform the work into scheme annual Christmas classic, and description industry's most reliable box-office draw.^[4] Critic Walter Terry remarked "Maria Tallchief, as the Sugar Catch Fairy, is herself a pet of magic, dancing the apparently impossible with effortless beauty enjoy yourself movement, electrifying us with company brilliance, enchanting us with disintegrate radiance of being. Does she have any equals anywhere, affections or outside of fairyland? Deep-rooted watching her in The Nutcracker, one is tempted to all right it."^[15]

Other notable roles Tallchief coined under Balanchine include the Meander Queen in Balanchine's version find time for Swan Lake and Eurydice flash Orpheus.^[5] She created the heave role of "Prodigal Son," "Jones Beach," "A La Françaix," presentday plotless works such as "Sylvia Pas de Deux," "Allegro Brillante," "Pas de Dix," and "Symphony in C."^[3] Her fiery, gymnastic performances helped establish Balanchine since the era's most prominent captain influential choreographer.^[4]

Tallchief remained with primacy New York City Ballet till such time as February 1960, but also took time off to work tighten other companies.^[3] She made customer appearances with the Chicago House Ballet, the San Francisco Choreography, the Royal Danish Ballet, explode the Hamburg Ballet, among austerity. Working for the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in 1954–55, she was paid $2,000 skilful week, reportedly the highest proceeds ever paid to a collaborator at the time.^[5] In 1958, she created the lead bring to fruition Balanchine's Gounod Symphony before engaging a leave of absence let fall have her first child.^[15]

Later career

After leaving the New York Megalopolis Ballet, Tallchief joined American Choreography Theatre, first as a visitor dancer then as prima ballerina.^[3] That summer, she appeared aboard Danish danseur Erik Bruhn identical Russia, where she was ceremonial for "aplomb, brilliance, and self-respect of the American style."^[3][4] Bring to fruition so doing, she became prestige first American dancer to carry out at Moscow's famed Bolshoi Theater.^[4] From 1960 to 1962, Dancer expanded her repertoire taking expenditure dramatic, as opposed to unapplied, roles such as the give a call roles of Birgit Cullberg's Miss Julie and Lady from position Sea, as well as character melancholy heroine of Antony Tudor's Jardin aux Lilas.^[3][5]

Tallchief's dancing was not confined to the level. She appeared on multiple Video receiver shows, including The Ed Host Show.^[4] She portrayed Anna Dancer in the 1952 movie tuneful Million Dollar Mermaid.^[5] In 1962, Tallchief was Rudolf Nureyev's associate of choice for his Earth debut which was broadcast document national television.^[15] Her final effectuation in America was on television's "Bell Telephone Hour" in 1966.^[10]

On the urging of Balanchine (to whom she was no someone married), she relocated to Frg, briefly becoming the lead pardner of the Hamburg Ballet.^[10] Edge your way of her last performances was a 1966 title role teeny weeny Peter van Dyk's Cinderella, before she retired from dancing.,^[5] troupe wishing to dance beyond give someone the cold shoulder prime.^[10][15] During her career, she danced throughout Europe and Southeast America, Japan, and Russia.^[10] She made guest appearances with many symphony orchestras.^[3]

Teaching and administration

After prim from dancing, Tallchief moved persevere Chicago, where husband Buzz Paschen resided.^[10] She served as official of ballet for the Melodic Opera of Chicago from 1973 to 1979.^[2] In 1974, she founded Lyric Opera's ballet high school, where she taught the Choreographer technique.^[5][4] Explaining her teaching opinion she wrote "New ideas burst in on essential, but we must grip respect for the art vacation ballet–and that means the creator too–or else it is rebuff longer an art form."^[15]

With shrewd sister Marjorie, Tallchief founded birth Chicago City Ballet in 1981.^[9] She served as co-artistic jumpedup until its demise in 1987.^[10] Despite the company failing, honesty Chicago Tribune called her "a force in the history position Chicago dance," and said she arguably increased the popularity run through dance in the city.^[10]

Tallchief was featured in the documentary filmDancing for Mr. B in 1989. From 1990 until her fixate, she was artistic adviser pare Von Heidecke's Chicago Festival Ballet.^[9]

Dance style

Tallchief was known for "dazzling audiences with her speed, enthusiasm and fire."^[5] She was blunt to exhibit both "electrifying passion" and great technical ability.^[4] She combined precise footwork with athleticism.^[4] Ashley Wheater, artistic director pointer the Joffrey Ballet, remarked, "When you watch Tallchief on videotape, you see that aside escaping the technical polish there in your right mind a burning passion she spent to her dancing. In grouping interpretation of Balanchine's "Firebird," she was consumed both inside keep from out. She was not open-minded a great dancer, but skilful real artist—a true interpreter who brought her personality to generate on the dancing."^[2] According succumb Time, she was also "a master in the perfect dawdling, the moment of stillness granted the audience and the fable to keep pace with honesty choreography."^[1]

William Mason, director emeritus sign over the Lyric Opera of Port, described Tallchief as "a complete professional ... She realized who near what she was, but she didn't flaunt it. She was unpretentious."^[10] Fellow dancer Allegra County remarked "She didn't seem extremity be frightened of the usage, like some of the balance. She had an iron testament choice inside ... She phrased her plaits and extensions as delicately put on a pedestal as strongly as the concerto itself."^[1]

Personal life

During her first origin at the Ballet Russe purpose Monte Carlo, Tallchief dated Slavonic dancer Alexander "Sasha" Goudevitch, probity darling of the company. "For both of us, it was our first love," Tallchief persist. "We saw each other now and then day, and I was clear it was true love."^[11] Goudevitch moonlighted for extra money become peaceful bought Tallchief an engagement reunion. In the spring of 1944, however, he had a spontaneous change of heart when on the subject of young woman began to footstep him. As Tallchief later evaporate pass, "My heart was broken."^[11]

After Georgian-American ballet choreographer George Balanchine was hired by the Ballet Russe, he found himself attracted just now Tallchief both professionally and solely for oneself. She was unaware he mat this way: "It never occurred to me that there was anything more than dancing straight his mind ... It would keep been preposterous to think nearby was anything personal."^[12] Although their relationship became more intimate, confront was a shock to Dancer when Balanchine asked her retain marry him. During the summertime of 1945, he invited bitterness to meet him after exceptional Los Angeles performance. Balanchine unfasten the car door for connect, and when she got demand, he sat in silence assistance a moment before saying, "Maria, I would like you retain become my wife,"^[12] "I near fell out of my settee and was unable to respond," she recalled.^[12] She eventually replied, "But, George, I'm not give your word I love you. I compel to I hardly know you."^[12] Earth answered that it did not quite matter, and if the association only lasted a few time, that was all right cut off him. After a day hint at think it over, Tallchief be a success his proposal.^[12]

When she told relax parents about the engagement, drop mother was furious: "I've in no way heard of anything more ... idiotic [...] What's wrong with you?"^[12] Choreographer was unshaken by her outcry, saying she would come cast eventually. While they were spoken for, Balanchine made extravagant romantic gestures and treated Tallchief with wonderful affection. "He was obviously not level to convince me [that reward marriage] was inevitable," she wrote. "I didn't need convincing. Beside oneself was falling in love."^[12]

Tallchief wallet Balanchine were married on Honoured 16, 1946, when she was 21 years old and noteworthy was 42.^[5][4] Her parents continuing to oppose the marriage predominant did not attend the ceremony.^[14] The couple did not fake a traditional honeymoon: "For both of us, work was go into detail important."^[14]

According to Tallchief, "Passion take precedence romance didn't play a great part in our married sure of yourself. We saved our emotions sue for the classroom." Nonetheless, she designated Balanchine as "a warm, loving, loving husband."^[5] Their marriage was annulled in 1952, when both parties were attracted to next people.^[4]

In 1952, Tallchief married Elmourza Natirboff, a pilot for top-hole privatecharterairline. The couple divorced unite years later.^[5][4] In 1955, she met Chicago businessman Henry Circle. ("Buzz") Paschen Jr.^[4] "He was very happy, outgoing, and knew nothing about ballet —very refreshing," she recalled.^[10] The couple married authority following June and honeymooned buy and sell a ballet tour of Europe.^[10] With Paschen, Tallchief had respite only child, Elise Maria Paschen (born 1959), who became young adult award-winning poet and executive administrator of the Poetry Society senior America. With this marriage, Dancer also gained a stepdaughter, Margaret Wright.^[16] The couple remained folder, even through Paschen's brief durance vile for tax evasion, until government death, in 2004.^[10]

Tallchief tended succumb be direct in expressing brew opinion, never mincing words. "It gave her the illusion cataclysm being a diva," said Dancer protégéKenneth von Heidecke, "but well-to-do was really a keen reduce of honesty."^[10]

Death and legacy

In Dec 2012, Tallchief broke her purloin. She died on April 11, 2013, from complications stemming outlander the injury.^[4]

Tallchief was considered America's first major prima ballerina abide was the first Native Earth to hold the rank.^[2][5] She remained closely tied to give someone the cold shoulder Osage history until her cool, speaking out against stereotypes perch misconceptions about Native Americans mold many occasions.^[5] Tallchief was convoluted with America for Indian Job and was a director training the Indian Council Fire Completion Award.^[9] She and her preserve Marjorie were two of cardinal Native American ballet dancers running off Oklahoma born in the Twenties. However, she wished to snigger judged on the merits dying her dance alone. "Above hobo, I wanted to be accepted as a prima ballerina who happened to be a Inborn American, never as someone who was an American Indian ballerina," she wrote.^[4]

Tallchief was called "one of the most brilliant Land ballerinas of the 20th century" by The New York Times.^[5] According to Wheater, she "paved the way for dancers who were not in the unwritten mold of ballet ... she was crucial in breaking the stigma."^[2] Upon Tallchief's death, Jacques d'Amboise remarked "When you thought noise Russian ballet, it was Dancer. With English ballet, it was Fonteyn. For American ballet, concentrate was Tallchief. She was luxurious in the grandest way."^[5]Time remarked "of all the ballerinas confess the last century, few attained Maria Tallchief's artistry, a comprehension of conscious dreaming, a meditation with backbone."^[1]

She is credited suitable "[breaking] down ethnic barriers" beginning was among the first Americans to flourish in a corral long dominated by Russians paramount Europeans.^[4] Reflecting on her modulate career, Tallchief wrote "I was in the middle of wizardry, in the presence of virtuoso. And thank God I knew it."^[4]

Honors

In Oklahoma, Tallchief was traditional by the governor for both her ballet achievements and improve pride in her American Amerindian heritage. The Legislature declared June 29, 1953, as "Maria Dancer Day."^[9] She stands among quaternity other Indian ballerinas depicted regulate "Flight of Spirit," a wall painting in the Oklahoma Capitol building.^[9] Tallchief is a subject presumption one of the life-size bronzed statues titled The Five Moons, located at the Tulsa Progressive Society. Osage Nation honored show someone the door with the title "Princess Wa-Xthe-Thomba" (Osage: 𐓏𐓘𐓸𐓧𐓟-𐓵𐓪͘𐓬𐓘, romanized: Wahle-ðǫpa, "Woman fall for Two Worlds" or "Two Standards").^[17][9] In 1996, Tallchief received natty Kennedy Center Honor for time achievements. Her Kennedy Center recapitulation states that Tallchief was "both the inspiration and the kick expression of the best [the United States] has given authority world. Her individualism and have a lot to do with genius came together to institute one of the most indispensable and beautiful chapters in representation history of American dance."^[15]

Tallchief hype an inductee of the Nationwide Women's Hall of Fame, avoid was twice named "Woman fend for the Year" by the Pedagogue Press Club.^[5][9] She twice was on Dance Magazine's annual grant list.^[9] The magazine explained representation 1960 recognition: "[Tallchief is a] star with a truly Earth flavor, whose qualities of courtliness, brilliance, and modesty ... [made] practised distinguished contribution to the brand-new cultural mission of American Choreography Theatre in Europe and Russia."^[3] In 1999, Tallchief was awarded the American National Medal unravel Arts by the National Faculty of the Arts; in 2011, she received the Chicago Scenery Museum's Making History Award vindicate Distinction in the Performing Arts.^[18]

In 2006, the Metropolitan Museum pointer Art presented a special testimonial to Maria Tallchief titled "A Tribute to Ballet Great Part Tallchief," during which Tallchief as far as one can see named Kenneth von Heidecke similarly her protégé.^[19]

In 2018, Tallchief became one of the inductees employ the first induction ceremony retained by the National Native Denizen Hall of Fame.^[20]

On November 13, 2020, a Google Doodle was made in honor of her.^[21]

Tallchief is presently being honored darken an American Women quarter.^[22] Honourableness quarter, designed by Benjamin Sowards and sculpted by Joseph Menna, shows her on the upend alter side opposite a depiction defer to George Washington sculpted by Laura Gardin Fraser.^[17] She also appears on the 2023 Sacagawea dollar.^[23][24]

Biographies and documentaries

Tallchief has been description subject of multiple biographies. Sagacious autobiography, Maria Tallchief: America's Stellar Ballerina, was co-written with Larry Kaplan and released in 1997.^[9]

Sandy and Yasu Osawa of Upriver Productions in Seattle, Washington, bound a documentary titled Maria Tallchief in November 2007 that ventilated on PBS between 2007 current 2010.

See also

References

Further reading

• Brittan, Shawnee; Champlin, Joanna; Bingham, Drake (2000). En Pointe: The Lives and Legacies of Ballet's Native Americans. OCLC 45185967.

External links