Margaretha von Bahr
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Riki Sorsa (b. 1952 — d. 2016)
Professori [1] Margaretha von Bahr | |
|---|---|
 Margaretha von Bahr (shown here with Klaus Salin), in her 'signature role' in the ballet adaptation of Miss Julie[2] | |
| Born | Maria Elisabet Margaretha Wasenius 11 December 1921 |
| Died | 21 February 2016 (aged 94) Helsinki, Finland |
| Spouses | |
| Children | Robert von Bahr (b. 1943), Riki Sorsa (b. 1952 — d. 2016) |
Margaretha von Bahr (née Wasenius, from 1952 von Bahr-Sorsa; 11 December 1921 — 21 February 2016)[1] was a Finnish ballet dancer, choreographer and pedagog.[4] She has been described as a leading ballet star of the post-war era in Finland.[2]
Dance
Starting ballet lessons from the age of seven, Margaretha Wasenius went on to train at the Ballet of Finland (later to become the Finnish National Ballet) school from 1928,[3] and was eventually attached to the company's corps de ballet in 1938.[4][2]
She spent the war years in Sweden, studying and working at the Royal Dramatic Theatre in Stockholm.[3][5] Upon returning to Finland, she was in 1946 appointed principal dancer, which position she held until her retirement in 1964.[4][5]
During her time at the National Ballet, von Bahr danced nearly all the female lead roles in the company's repertoire.[6]
Von Bahr toured extensively in Europe and North America in the late 1950s and throughout the 1960s, both as a soloist and with the National Ballet company.[3]
Choreography
After retiring from her active dance career, von Bahr studied choreography, dance notation and pedagogy in Leningrad and London.[3] She subsequently set up her own ballet school, became active in various dance-related organisations, as well as working increasingly on choreography.[4][2][3]
Her notable choreographies for the Finnish National Ballet include:
- Kiusaukset (music by Einojuhani Rautavaara), premiered 1973[7]
- Scaramouche (music by Jean Sibelius), premiered 1974[7]
- Double Indeed (music by George de Godzinsky)[4]
She also choreographed for the Finnish TV and the Helsinki City Theatre, among others.[2]
In 1974, von Bahr won the choreography prize at the Varna International Ballet Competition.[4]
Awards and honours
In 1957, von Bahr was awarded the Pro Finlandia medal of the Order of the Lion of Finland.[4][3]
In 1979, she received the honorary title of Professori from President Urho Kekkonen.[4][6][5]
