NYCB Vol. 17. No. 3 - Prodigal Son - Felia Doubrovska

From Balanchine's Ballerinas: Conversations with the Muses by Robert Tracy

Robert Tracy: Prodigal Son must have been strange for you to learn. The role of the Siren is very far from the classical parts you were trained for.

Doubrovska: Yes, it was difficult. But Diaghilev and Balanchine tell me to go home and think about my part. About the pas de deux with Lifar. And I think about a snake, which is not human, but which hypnotizes and be-witches. I used my eyes, and the movement comes from my stomach. I had to perform without any feeling I approach it like a snake, without any added chi-chi.

RT: Serge Lifar was Diaghilev's principal dancer when you were with the company, and he partnered you frequently. What did Balanchine make of Lifar?

D: Balanchine was hired to create for Lifar. Diaghilev think man is ballet. So Balanchine present Lifar on a gold plate. He could create for both men and women. I think Balanchine liked to use Lifar as my partner because of our contrasts--I am so tall and Lifar was not very big.

Photos by Roger Viollet and Sasha, 1929