Fracci, Carla (1936–)

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Fracci, Carla (1936–)

Italian ballerina. Born Aug 20, 1936, in Milan, Italy.

Began studying at La Scala Ballet School under Vera Volkova and others (1946); graduated into the company (1954); promoted soloist (1956) and principal (1958); the 1st Italian ballerina of the 20th century to win international acclaim, created Juliet in Cranko's Romeo and Juliet (1958) and Elvira in Massine's Don Giovanni (1959); appeared with London Festival Ballet (1959, 1962), Royal Ballet (1963), Stuttgart Ballet (1965) and Royal Swedish Ballet (1969); became principal guest artist at American Ballet Theatre (1967); had greatest success with Giselle, which was filmed with Erik Bruhn (1969); other great roles included Sylphide and Swanilda; was director of ballet in Naples (1990–91) and in Verona (1995–97); became director of Balletto dell'Opera di Roma.