Balanchine Foundation Interview: Maria Tallchief PAS DE DIX

Ballet: "Pas de Dix"
Coach: Maria Tallchief
Interviewer: Jordan Levin
Taped: 1999 Miami Beach

[@Nancy-fm1ie]

Maria Tallchief was America's FIRST prima ballerina, and an Osage Indian. I worked for her at her home in Chicago for a day as she developed the Chicago Lyric Opera Ballet concept. She was tiny, energetic, beautiful w long raven black hair. I discovered years later that she was an exquisite dancer, the best of the best. The Osage Nation was forced to move several times, then the oil strikes on their purchased land making them the world's richest people group, and then the murders of innocents, called the Reign of Terror. Maria Tallchief was the living legacy of God's love for the Osage Nation. She was born during the Reign of Terror. She is God's triumph. The phoenix who rose from the ashes. This is how I personally characterize The Firebird in retrospect, choreographed by Balanchine for his bride Maria Tallchief. The Reign of Terror is the focus of Martin Scorsese's upcoming film in 2022, Killers of the Flower Moon. Meanwhile see if your library will purchase the great documentary about her and the Osage Nation. Called "Maria Tallchief'' and made by Sandy Osawa, a Seattle Native American. The Reign of Terror history is given in this film. It was one of the FBI's first major cases. A more kid-friendly film starring Jimmy Stewart included the Reign of Terror. Film is "The FBI Story" from 1959. I also own the 1930 film "Cimarron" about the Oklahoma oil rush which includes a bit about the Osage Indians. Based on Edna Ferber's book, it's generally available in libraries. Also see the Google Doodle on Maria Tallchief. Of the many books about her, I love her autobiography as a children's book, with its watercolor illustrations.

[@roadrunner381]

You certainly know your history of Maria, and the Osages, I'm from Fairfax Oklahoma, and an Osage ,the house that her father owned sits on the hill, and was going to waste, somebody has started to do repairs on it lately, and the little movie theater, Tallchief theater still stands downtown, but hasn't been in operation since the late 60s, this a little town of 1500 people, once a busy place, when the oil money was better, there's a nice big sign as you come in town, stating home of Maria Tallchief, the Osages are very proud Maria!🌍🌛🌞

[@Ishisah]

What I like about her, is she wasn't a victim. She was a dancer, who earned her place.

[@highpsi11]

It's interesting that she appears to have no bitterness about him, despite their divorce. Her respect and appreciation for him is full of warmth and sincerity.

[@Beane_the_RD]

I’m not sure that it matters but, Maria was able to get an Annulment with the Catholic Church because Balanchine did not want her to have any children. I’m glad that she was able to see past any interpersonal strife and speak about her working with him from a technical and choreographic perspective!

[@pineemanuelson5936]

Except Balanchine made ALL the women lose weight--including Maria Tallchief. There is such a problem with anorexia & drug addiction among ballerinas due to that.

[@Robinwhiteart]

I saw her when I was young. She danced with Andre Eglevsky with the New York City Ballet. I was a young serious ballet student. I still remember her.

[@brendaannedufaur6244]

Can you describe her dancing?

[@Nancy-fm1ie]

@@brendaannedufaur6244 Here is a short clip of her exquisite dancing for The Firebird. She literally glides en pointe by tiny steps. Her arms flutter gracefully. Watch "Maria Tallchief in George Balanchine's Firebird" on KZbin

[@cynthiawhiteeagle8546]

Great ballerina & fascinating lady!

[@SnippetsBB]

So glad to know about her from today's Google animation.

[@geot4647]

Never heard of her before, either. It's good that she escaped Antifa's wrath for catering to white culture.

[@noblesetsentimentales]

@@geot4647 I hope by "white culture" you're not referring to ballet.

[@geot4647]

@@noblesetsentimentales Indians and ballet just don't seem like a clean "non-Colonial" fit, but the non-woke don't care!

[@brendaannedufaur6244]

Tallchief is a wonderful speaker about Balanchine. She gave N.Y.C.B. its first big success as the Firebird..There is a film clip of it. She's wonderful.

[@kitsidale]

So elegant and graceful

[@jamesgordon8799]

Wow, just loved to listen to such great artists insights.

[@lindaharrison3240]

The simplest epaulment from her and it's beautiful.

[@warflowersociety]

Maria will be issued by the U.S. mint for 2023. A few days ago, her statute/sculpture in Tulsa Oklahoma was found and had been chopped up for scrap by a thief(thieves). Not only a pioneer woman of ballet in the United States but a symbol of Native Americans. Yet, our country behaves in such a way that dishonors women and Native American women & states racism doesn't exist against either in this country. So little has changed and saddening.

[@Nancy-fm1ie]

@Warflower Society, the destroyed statue is of her sister, Marjorie Tallchief. The sculptor believes he may be able to repair it.

[@ChiasmMarksTheSpot]

Yes the sculptor said it will look as if nothing had happened to it once the restoration is finished