Marcia Haydée (1937-). Brazilian-born ballerina, director and producer

Marcia Haydée is a Brazilian-born ballerina, choreographer and company director. Born in Rio de Janeiro in 1937, she studied in Brazil and at The Royal Ballet School, joining the Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas in Monaco in 1957. In 1961, Haydée joined the Stuttgart Ballet and in 1962 was named prima ballerina by John Cranko. Their relationship – her dancing, his choreography – was to become the foundation of Stuttgart Ballet’s international reputation, with works such as Cranko’s Romeo and Juliet, Onegin and The Taming of the Shrew among many others. She also worked closely with Kenneth MacMillan, on ballets such as Las Hermanas and, above all, Song of the Earth. Haydée was particularly noted for her partnership with the American-born dancer Richard Cragun. In 1976, she became director of the Stuttgart Ballet following the sudden death of Cranko in 1973 and remained until 1996. During her dancing career she performed as a guest artist for notable ballet companies throughout the world. From 1992 until 1996 she directed the Ballet de Santiago de Chile, and again from 2003 to 2004. Since retiring from dancing Haydée has pursued a career as a choreographer, teacher and coach, and also stages many ballets.