Else H%C3%B8jgaard

Else Hjgaard was a Danish ballerina and an actress of stage and screen. Noted for a fiery temperament and edgy intensity, Hjgaard premiered as a solo ballerina for George Balanchine in 1931 and was the primary dancer for Harald Lander until 1942. Hjgaard later went on to a long career as a dramatic actress, performing and teaching at the Royal Danish Theatre. She performed in radio and television, and played supporting roles in several films including the dark drama Caf Paradis . Hjgaard was awarded a knighthood in the Order of the Dannebrog in 1961 and promoted to Knight 1st Class in 1971.

Else Hjgaard was born onApril 1906 on Bornholm, Denmark, the daughter of a civil attorney. At the age of 12, Hjgaard became a student at the Royal Danish Theatre ballet school in Copenhagen and graduated in 1929. She debuted in the role of Amelie in the 1928 production of Drmmebilleder and was chosen to perform the solo of Terpsichore in George Balanchines 1931 staging of Apollon Musagete. Following that performance, Hjgaard was a solo ballerina for the Royal Danish Ballet until her retirement from ballet performance in 1942. She was the primary dancer for Harald Landers revival of the August Bournonville ballets. Known for a fiery temperament, she was noted for her highly dramatic and lyrical performances, lending a modern, antiromantic presentation to her roles.

Source: Wikipedia