Portapovitch, Anna Knapton (1890–1974)

views updated

Portapovitch, Anna Knapton (1890–1974)

Russian ballet dancer and teacher. Name variations: Anna Povitch. Born Anna Knapton, Jan 16, 1890; died Dec 11, 1974, in West Roxbury, MA; m. Stanislaw Portapovitch (1895–1964, Polish ballet dancer whose name was originally Potopowicz, then changed to Povitch).

Trained at the Imperial Ballet in St. Petersburg; performed with Anna Pavlova's company; with husband, appeared in featured roles in the Fokine repertory of Diaghilev Ballet Russe (1914–20); moved to New York City with husband (1919), where they opened a dance studio; taught there for many years.