August 20
Born Today:
Carla Fracci
Italian ballerina Carla Fracci (1936-2021) is known for her excellent interpretations of Romantic Era ballets, including Giselle and La Sylphide. During her long performing career (about 30 years), she danced with multiple major dance companies and partnered Erik Bruhn (1928-1986), Mikhail Baryshnikov (1948-), and Rudolf Nureyev (1938-1993). She appeared in the biopic Nijinsky (1980) as ballerina Tamara Karsavina and was the artistic director for several Italian ballet companies.
Also Born Today: Arts manager Sheldon Soffer (1927-2021) sponsored and mentored dance companies such as Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo, Pilobolus, Parsons Dance, MOMIX, Boston, Ballet, and many others.