Alessandra Ferri

Italian ballet dancer from Milan. In 1992 she received from La Scala the title of Prima Ballerina Assoluta. Over her career, she was étoile of the Royal Ballet Theatre from 1983 to 1985, The American Ballet Theatre from 1985 to 2007, and La Scala di Milano from 1992 to 2007. Alessandra Ferri began to study at La Scala Ballet School and subsequently at the Royal Ballet Upper School in London. In 1980, after winning the Prix de Lausanne, she joined the Royal Ballet Company and became Prima Ballerina at the age of 19. In 1985, Mikhail Baryshnikov invited her to the American Ballet Theater where she stayed until 2007. She has worked with notable choreographers including Jirí Kylián, John Neumeier and Roland Petit. Her numerous awards include the Sir Lawrence Olivier Award, the Dance Magazine Award, the New York Times Dancer of the Year Award and the Benois de la Danse. In 2006 she was named Cavaliere della Repubblica by the President Carlo Azeglio Ciampi. She retired from the stage aged 44 in the summer of 2007 and came back seven years later in 2013.