MARIA TALLCHIEF TV Appearances

America's first Prima Ballerina Assoluta, Maria Tallchief, was a Native American (Osage Nation), and George Balanchine's 3rd wife. She was known internationally as one of the greatest ballerinas of her era, and was largely responsible for the success of the New York City Ballet during its formation (1948) and early years, through the mid 1960's. Her performances in ballets Balanchine made for her, such as, THE NUTCRACKER, FIREBIRD, SCOTCH SYMPHONY, ALLEGRO BRILLANTE, ORPHEUS, and others, put her, and the company, on the map. She danced with Rudolph Nureyev, Erik Bruhn, Royes Fernandez, Andre Eglevsky, Francisco Moncion, Nicholas Magallanes, Conrad Ludlow, and other notables, and appeared regularly on television. There is no overestimating her impact on ballet in America, and indeed, the world. These are all her appearances on the Bell Telephone Hour, and on TV in Montreal in the 1950's thru 1960's.