Bronislava Nijinska

Bronislava Nijinska , 1891-1972, Russian ballet dancer and choreographer; sister of Vaslav Nijinsky . She studied at the Imperial Ballet School in St. Petersburg and then joined the Maryinsky Theatre. In 1909, she moved to Diaghilev 's Ballet Russe, where she danced in the entire repertory. Although she left the company to teach during World War I, she returned in 1921 as a choreographer. She later choreographed for numerous European and American companies. Her ballets Les Noces (1923) and Les Biches (1924) are frequently performed.

Bibliography: See her Early Memoirs (1981).

Nijinskaya, Bronislava [ Bronislava Nijinska] (b Minsk, 1891; d Los Angeles, 1972). Dancer and choreographer. Sister of Vaclav Nijinsky. Created roles in Diaghilev ballets (Carnaval, 1910 and Petrushka, 1911). Returned to Russ. 1914 but left 1921 to rejoin Diaghilev co. as dancer, prod., and choreographer. Created Renard (1922), Les Noces (1923), Les Biches, and Le train bleu (1924). Worked as choreog. for Paris Opéra, Teatro Colón in Buenos Aires, and with Ida Rubinstein co. (Le Baiser de la Fée, Boléro, 1928, La Valse, 1929). Later worked for Max Reinhardt in Berlin and opened ballet sch. in Los Angeles 1938. Guest choreog. for various cos. in 1940s. Prod. Les Biches (1964) and Les Noces (1966) for Royal Ballet at CG.