Anna Pavlova - ’The Dragonfly’

This is film of Anna Pavlova dancing ’The Dragonfly’, a ballet she choreographed herself and which was premiered in early 1915. The music used for the ballet was the ’Schön Rosmarin’ of Fritz Kreisler. The footage comes from an old Russian documentary on the legendary ballerina. What is particularly expressive for me is the way the legendary Russian ballerina flickers her hands to powerfully create the impression of the dragonfly - I guess we are always looking for such little tell-tale signs of the genius people talk about when referring to this unique ballerina. Enjoy!