Vera Zorina: Difference between revisions
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{{For|the 1949 film|Zorina (film)}} |
{{For|the 1949 film|Zorina (film)}} |
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{{Infobox person |
{{Infobox person |
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| name = Vera Zorina |
| name = Vera Zorina |
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| occupation = [[Ballerina]]<br>[[musical theatre]] actress<br>choreographer |
| occupation = [[Ballerina]]<br>[[musical theatre]] actress<br>choreographer |
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| spouse = [[George Balanchine]]<br><small>(1938-1946; divorced)</small><br>[[Goddard Lieberson]]<br><small>(1946-1977; his death); 2 children</small><br>Paul Wolfe<br><small>(1991-2003; her death)</small> |
| spouse = [[George Balanchine]]<br><small>(1938-1946; divorced)</small><br>[[Goddard Lieberson]]<br><small>(1946-1977; his death); 2 children</small><br>Paul Wolfe<br><small>(1991-2003; her death)</small> |
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| children = [[Peter Lieberson]]<br>Jonathan Lieberson<br>(1949-1989)<ref>http://www.nybooks.com/contributors/jonathan-lieberson/</ref> |
| children = [[Peter Lieberson]]<br>Jonathan Lieberson<br>(1949-1989)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nybooks.com/contributors/jonathan-lieberson/|title=Jonathan Lieberson|website=The New York Review of Books|accessdate=16 September 2017}}</ref> |
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| yearsactive = 1928-1982 |
| yearsactive = 1928-1982 |
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}} |
}} |
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==Background== |
==Background== |
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Vera Zorina was born '''Eva Brigitta Hartwig''' in [[Berlin, Germany]]. Her father, Fritz Hartwig, was a German [[Lapsed Catholic|lapsed Roman Catholic]], and her mother, Abigail Johanne Wimpelmann (known as Billie Hartwig), was Norwegian and [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]]. Both were professional singers. Young Eva was brought up in a small coastal town between [[Trondheim]] and [[Bergen, Norway|Bergen]], called [[Kristiansund|Kristiansund North]], where she debuted as a dancer at the Festiviteten, the oldest opera house in [[Norway]]. She received her education at the [[Lyceum#Germany|Lyceum]] for Girls in Berlin and was trained in dance by [[Olga Preobrajenska]] and [[Nicholas Legat]].<ref> |
Vera Zorina was born '''Eva Brigitta Hartwig''' in [[Berlin, Germany]]. Her father, Fritz Hartwig, was a German [[Lapsed Catholic|lapsed Roman Catholic]], and her mother, Abigail Johanne Wimpelmann (known as Billie Hartwig), was Norwegian and [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]]. Both were professional singers. Young Eva was brought up in a small coastal town between [[Trondheim]] and [[Bergen, Norway|Bergen]], called [[Kristiansund|Kristiansund North]], where she debuted as a dancer at the Festiviteten, the oldest opera house in [[Norway]]. She received her education at the [[Lyceum#Germany|Lyceum]] for Girls in Berlin and was trained in dance by [[Olga Preobrajenska]] and [[Nicholas Legat]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://beinecke.library.yale.edu/cvvpw/gallery/zorina1.html|title=Extravagant Crowd - Vera Zorina|website=beinecke.library.yale.edu|accessdate=16 September 2017}}</ref> |
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==Career== |
==Career== |
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At age 12, she was presented to [[Max Reinhardt]], who cast her in ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' (1929) and ''Tales of Hoffman'' (1931). A performance at London's [[Gaiety Theatre, London|Gaiety Theatre]] won her an invitation to join the [[Original Ballet Russe|Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo]] in 1933, at which time she adopted the stage name of Vera Zorina. The company only wanted Russian names and she was given a list of 20 and chose the last name because she could pronounce it. A few years later, she attained a lead role in the London production of ''[[On Your Toes]]'' (1937) and was seen by American film producer [[Samuel Goldwyn]], who signed her to a seven-year film contract. She appeared in seven [[Hollywood]] movies between 1938 and 1946.<ref> |
At age 12, she was presented to [[Max Reinhardt]], who cast her in ''A Midsummer Night's Dream'' (1929) and ''Tales of Hoffman'' (1931). A performance at London's [[Gaiety Theatre, London|Gaiety Theatre]] won her an invitation to join the [[Original Ballet Russe|Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo]] in 1933, at which time she adopted the stage name of Vera Zorina. The company only wanted Russian names and she was given a list of 20 and chose the last name because she could pronounce it. A few years later, she attained a lead role in the London production of ''[[On Your Toes]]'' (1937) and was seen by American film producer [[Samuel Goldwyn]], who signed her to a seven-year film contract. She appeared in seven [[Hollywood]] movies between 1938 and 1946.<ref>http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/vera-zorina-730208.html</ref> |
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[[File:Original 1938 playbill from "I Married an Angel" starring Vera Zorina. From the Vera Zorina Collection at Ailina Dance Archives.jpg|thumb|left|Original 1938 playbill from "I Married an Angel" starring Vera Zorina. From the Vera Zorina Collection at Ailina Dance Archives.]] |
[[File:Original 1938 playbill from "I Married an Angel" starring Vera Zorina. From the Vera Zorina Collection at Ailina Dance Archives.jpg|thumb|left|Original 1938 playbill from "I Married an Angel" starring Vera Zorina. From the Vera Zorina Collection at Ailina Dance Archives.]] |
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One of her major stage roles was in the 1938 Rodgers and Hart musical ''[[I Married an Angel]].'' As the title character, she played an exquisite angel who descended from heaven to marry a Hungarian banker played by [[Dennis King]], but whose complete lack of human guile presented him with a whole new set of problems. ([[Jeanette MacDonald]] had that role in the film version.) |
One of her major stage roles was in the 1938 Rodgers and Hart musical ''[[I Married an Angel]].'' As the title character, she played an exquisite angel who descended from heaven to marry a Hungarian banker played by [[Dennis King]], but whose complete lack of human guile presented him with a whole new set of problems. ([[Jeanette MacDonald]] had that role in the film version.) |
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In 1945 she had great success as Ariel in [[William Shakespeare]]s ''[[The Tempest]]'' at the Alvin Theatre (now named [[Neil Simon Theatre]]) on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]. Starting in 1948, Zorina appeared in [[Arthur Honegger]]'s ''[[Joan of Arc at the Stake]]'', playing the title role in the first American performance with the [[New York Philharmonic]] under [[Charles Münch]]. She subsequently commanded the role many times, notably in the recorded performance from the [[Royal Festival Hall]] in June 1966, with the [[London Symphony Orchestra]] under [[Seiji Ozawa]].<ref> |
In 1945 she had great success as Ariel in [[William Shakespeare]]s ''[[The Tempest]]'' at the Alvin Theatre (now named [[Neil Simon Theatre]]) on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]]. Starting in 1948, Zorina appeared in [[Arthur Honegger]]'s ''[[Joan of Arc at the Stake]]'', playing the title role in the first American performance with the [[New York Philharmonic]] under [[Charles Münch]]. She subsequently commanded the role many times, notably in the recorded performance from the [[Royal Festival Hall]] in June 1966, with the [[London Symphony Orchestra]] under [[Seiji Ozawa]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.streetswing.com/histmai2/d2zorna1.htm|title=Vera Zorina - Main Page|first=Sonny|last=Watson|website=Streetswing.com|accessdate=16 September 2017}}</ref> In 1968 she directed [[Cabaret (musical)|Cabaret]] at the [[Oslo Nye Teater]] to great acclaim. Her farewell performance was in [[Perséphone (Stravinsky)|Perséphone]] with [[New York City Ballet]] in 1982. |
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In the 1970s, Vera Zorina was appointed director of the [[Norwegian National Opera and Ballet]] (''Den Norske Opera & Ballet''), but withdrew before she officially settled in because of her husband's illness. Later, she was active with the [[Lincoln Center]] as an adviser and director and, for several seasons, directed operas at the [[Santa Fe Opera]] in [[New Mexico]]. In 1986, she completed her autobiography, ''Zorina.''<ref>''Zorina'' (1986). U.S./Canada publications in Collins Publishers, Toronto and Farrar Straus Giroux, New York City, respectively. [https://www.nytimes.com/1986/11/16/books/i-married-a-genius.html?&pagewanted=1 Reviewed, ''The New York Times''. November 16, 1986]</ref> |
In the 1970s, Vera Zorina was appointed director of the [[Norwegian National Opera and Ballet]] (''Den Norske Opera & Ballet''), but withdrew before she officially settled in because of her husband's illness. Later, she was active with the [[Lincoln Center]] as an adviser and director and, for several seasons, directed operas at the [[Santa Fe Opera]] in [[New Mexico]]. In 1986, she completed her autobiography, ''Zorina.''<ref>''Zorina'' (1986). U.S./Canada publications in Collins Publishers, Toronto and Farrar Straus Giroux, New York City, respectively. [https://www.nytimes.com/1986/11/16/books/i-married-a-genius.html?&pagewanted=1 Reviewed, ''The New York Times''. November 16, 1986]</ref> |
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Zorina was married to choreographer [[George Balanchine]], her first, his second, in 1938; the couple divorced in 1946. She danced in productions he choreographed for both stage and screen, including ''[[On Your Toes]],'' a Broadway hit later adapted for the screen by [[Lawrence Riley]]. |
Zorina was married to choreographer [[George Balanchine]], her first, his second, in 1938; the couple divorced in 1946. She danced in productions he choreographed for both stage and screen, including ''[[On Your Toes]],'' a Broadway hit later adapted for the screen by [[Lawrence Riley]]. |
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Her second husband was Columbia Records president [[Goddard Lieberson]], from 1946 until his death on May 29, 1977. They had two sons: [[Peter Lieberson]], a composer, and [[Jonathan Lieberson]]. Her final marriage was to harpsichordist Paul Wolfe, from 1991 until 2003, when she died of undisclosed causes at age 86.<ref> |
Her second husband was Columbia Records president [[Goddard Lieberson]], from 1946 until his death on May 29, 1977. They had two sons: [[Peter Lieberson]], a composer, and [[Jonathan Lieberson]]. Her final marriage was to harpsichordist Paul Wolfe, from 1991 until 2003, when she died of undisclosed causes at age 86.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lawzone.com/half-nor/zorina.htm|title=Vera Zorina|website=Lawzone.com|accessdate=16 September 2017}}</ref> |
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Zorina was the grandmother of sisters Elizabeth (Lizzie), Katherine, and Kristina Lieberson, who are now members of the band [[TEEN (band)|TEEN]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Mike Usinger|title=There's more to TEEN than it seems|url=http://www.straight.com/music/388351/theres-more-teen-it-seems|work=Straight.com|date=June 6, 2013|accessdate=2014-11-13}}</ref> |
Zorina was the grandmother of sisters Elizabeth (Lizzie), Katherine, and Kristina Lieberson, who are now members of the band [[TEEN (band)|TEEN]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Mike Usinger|title=There's more to TEEN than it seems|url=http://www.straight.com/music/388351/theres-more-teen-it-seems|work=Straight.com|date=June 6, 2013|accessdate=2014-11-13}}</ref> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{ |
{{Reflist}} |
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:8. http://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/2003/08/10/375576.html |
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:9. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Goldwyn_Follies |
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:10. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I_Was_an_Adventuress |
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:11. http://www.sceneweb.no/nb/production/23132/Cabaret-1968-11-8 |
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:12. https://www.ibdb.com/broadway-production/the-tempest-1668 |
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:13. http://www.dagbladet.no/kultur/2003/08/10/375576.html |
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==Further reading== |
==Further reading== |
Revision as of 15:37, 16 September 2017
Vera Zorina | |
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Born | Eva Brigitta Hartwig January 2, 1917 |
Died | April 9, 2003 Santa Fe, New Mexico, U.S. | (aged 86)
Occupation(s) | Ballerina musical theatre actress choreographer |
Years active | 1928-1982 |
Spouse(s) | George Balanchine (1938-1946; divorced) Goddard Lieberson (1946-1977; his death); 2 children Paul Wolfe (1991-2003; her death) |
Children | Peter Lieberson Jonathan Lieberson (1949-1989)[1] |
Vera Zorina (January 2, 1917 – April 9, 2003) was a Norwegian ballerina, theatre and film actress, and choreographer. Today she is chiefly remembered for her films choreographed by her then husband, George Balanchine. They include The Goldwyn Follies, I Was an Adventuress with Erich Von Stroheim and Peter Lorre, Louisiana Purchase with Bob Hope and dancing to "That Old Black Magic" in Paramount Pictures' Star Spangled Rhythm.
Background
Vera Zorina was born Eva Brigitta Hartwig in Berlin, Germany. Her father, Fritz Hartwig, was a German lapsed Roman Catholic, and her mother, Abigail Johanne Wimpelmann (known as Billie Hartwig), was Norwegian and Lutheran. Both were professional singers. Young Eva was brought up in a small coastal town between Trondheim and Bergen, called Kristiansund North, where she debuted as a dancer at the Festiviteten, the oldest opera house in Norway. She received her education at the Lyceum for Girls in Berlin and was trained in dance by Olga Preobrajenska and Nicholas Legat.[2]
Career
At age 12, she was presented to Max Reinhardt, who cast her in A Midsummer Night's Dream (1929) and Tales of Hoffman (1931). A performance at London's Gaiety Theatre won her an invitation to join the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo in 1933, at which time she adopted the stage name of Vera Zorina. The company only wanted Russian names and she was given a list of 20 and chose the last name because she could pronounce it. A few years later, she attained a lead role in the London production of On Your Toes (1937) and was seen by American film producer Samuel Goldwyn, who signed her to a seven-year film contract. She appeared in seven Hollywood movies between 1938 and 1946.[3]
When she lost the role of Maria in For Whom the Bell Tolls after only two weeks shooting, her film career came to a halt. The Hollywood axe fell on her when David O. Selznick, co-star Gary Cooper, director Sam Wood and Ernest Hemingway himself all preferred Ingrid Bergman.
One of her major stage roles was in the 1938 Rodgers and Hart musical I Married an Angel. As the title character, she played an exquisite angel who descended from heaven to marry a Hungarian banker played by Dennis King, but whose complete lack of human guile presented him with a whole new set of problems. (Jeanette MacDonald had that role in the film version.)
In 1945 she had great success as Ariel in William Shakespeares The Tempest at the Alvin Theatre (now named Neil Simon Theatre) on Broadway. Starting in 1948, Zorina appeared in Arthur Honegger's Joan of Arc at the Stake, playing the title role in the first American performance with the New York Philharmonic under Charles Münch. She subsequently commanded the role many times, notably in the recorded performance from the Royal Festival Hall in June 1966, with the London Symphony Orchestra under Seiji Ozawa.[4] In 1968 she directed Cabaret at the Oslo Nye Teater to great acclaim. Her farewell performance was in Perséphone with New York City Ballet in 1982.
In the 1970s, Vera Zorina was appointed director of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet (Den Norske Opera & Ballet), but withdrew before she officially settled in because of her husband's illness. Later, she was active with the Lincoln Center as an adviser and director and, for several seasons, directed operas at the Santa Fe Opera in New Mexico. In 1986, she completed her autobiography, Zorina.[5]
Personal life
Zorina was married to choreographer George Balanchine, her first, his second, in 1938; the couple divorced in 1946. She danced in productions he choreographed for both stage and screen, including On Your Toes, a Broadway hit later adapted for the screen by Lawrence Riley.
Her second husband was Columbia Records president Goddard Lieberson, from 1946 until his death on May 29, 1977. They had two sons: Peter Lieberson, a composer, and Jonathan Lieberson. Her final marriage was to harpsichordist Paul Wolfe, from 1991 until 2003, when she died of undisclosed causes at age 86.[6]
Zorina was the grandmother of sisters Elizabeth (Lizzie), Katherine, and Kristina Lieberson, who are now members of the band TEEN.[7]
Filmography
- Seine Freundin Annette (1930)
- The Goldwyn Follies (1938)
- On Your Toes (1939)
- I Was an Adventuress (1940)
- Louisiana Purchase (1941)
- Star Spangled Rhythm (1942)
- Follow the Boys (1944)
- Lover Come Back (1946)
References
- ^ "Jonathan Lieberson". The New York Review of Books. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ "Extravagant Crowd - Vera Zorina". beinecke.library.yale.edu. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/vera-zorina-730208.html
- ^ Watson, Sonny. "Vera Zorina - Main Page". Streetswing.com. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ Zorina (1986). U.S./Canada publications in Collins Publishers, Toronto and Farrar Straus Giroux, New York City, respectively. Reviewed, The New York Times. November 16, 1986
- ^ "Vera Zorina". Lawzone.com. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
- ^ Mike Usinger (June 6, 2013). "There's more to TEEN than it seems". Straight.com. Retrieved 2014-11-13.
Further reading
- Kisselgoff, Anna (April 12, 2003). "Obituary for Vera Zorina". The New York Times.
- Koegler, Horst (1982). The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Ballet. Oxford Paperback Reference.
External links
- Photographs and literature
- Vera Zorina images
- Collection Guide, Vera Zorina papers, 1910-2001 Houghton Library, Harvard University
- Vera Zorina at the Internet Broadway Database
- Vera Zorina at IMDb
- Vera Zorina at Find a Grave
- Vera Zorina memorabilia collection.
- 1917 births
- 2003 deaths
- Norwegian ballerinas
- Norwegian choreographers
- Norwegian emigrants to the United States
- Norwegian film actresses
- Norwegian people of German descent
- German ballerinas
- German women choreographers
- German emigrants to the United States
- German film actresses
- German people of Norwegian descent
- American ballerinas
- American choreographers
- American film actresses
- People from Kristiansund
- Actors from Santa Fe, New Mexico