Hanka, Erika (1905–1958)

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Hanka, Erika (1905–1958)

Austrian ballet dancer and choreographer. Born May 18, 1905, in Vinkovci, Croatia; died May 16, 1958, in Vienna, Austria; trained at Wigman school in Dresden.

Performed as member of Jooss Ballet in Germany (1935–38) where she danced in major roles in The Green Table, A Ball in Old Vienna, and Pavanne, among others; appeared at opera houses throughout Germany, including Cologne, Essen, Marburg, and Dusseldorf; staged Joan von Zarissa at Vienna Staatsoper (1941); served as ballet mistress there (1941–58), choreographing and staging numerous works. Choreography includes Festa Romantica (1945), Hoellische G'Schichte (1949), Homeric Sympbony (1950), The Moor of Venice (1955), Hotel Sacher (1957) and Medusa (1958).