Kirsova, Hélène (1910-1962)

Also known as
Bellew, HélèneFischer, HélèneHansen, Ellen Elisabeth Kirsten WittrupWittrup, Ellen (1910-1962)
Fischer, Hélène (1910-1962)
Kirsova, Helene (1910-1962)
Kirsova, Hélène (1910-1962)
Field of activity
ballet dancer; choreographer; dance teacher
Libraries Australia
http://nla.gov.au/anbd.aut-an35873922
NLA Persistent Identifier
http://nla.gov.au/nla.party-578082

Biographies

KIRSOVA, HELENE (1910-1962), prima ballerina and choreographer, was born on 18 June 1910 in Copenhagen and named Ellen Elisabeth Kirsten Wittrup, youngest child of the large family of Sophus Christian Ferdinand Hansen, directeur, and his wife Ingeborg, née Wittrup. Using her mother's maiden name, Ellen attended the ballet schools of Emilie Walbom and Jenny Møller in Copenhagen. At 18 she began tuition in Paris under Olga Preobrajenska, Léo Staats and, particularly, Lubov Egorova. In 1929 Wittrup joined Le Ballet Franco Russe and toured South America. She then danced with Madame Ida Rubenstein in Paris and in July 1931 at Covent Garden, London.

View the full record at Australian Dictionary of Biography

Born in Copenhagen as Ellen Wittrup Hansen, Helene Kirsova came to Australia in 1936 as a leading dancer with the Monte Carlo Russian Ballet. Kirsova's initial dance training was in Paris with Leo Staats and with former Russian ballerina Lubov Egorova. After touring with various companies in South America and dancing in Paris and London Kirsova became a founding member of the Ballets Russes de Monte Carlo in 1932. In Australia her dancing with the Monte Carlo Russian Ballet was praised by critics as 'sparkling' and 'bewitching' and she was acclaimed for her portrayal of the Ballerina in Petrouchka and Columbine in Le Carnaval.

Kirsova returned to England in 1937 at the end of the Monte Carlo Russian Ballet tour. She sailed with her colleagues on the S.S. Strathnaver on 19 July 1937. She returned to Australia early in 1938, however, and married the Danish Vice-Consul in Sydney, Erik Fischer. By 1940 she had established a ballet school in Sydney and by 1941 the Kirsova Ballet. Her Kirsova Ballet was the first professional ballet company in Australia. She employed several dancers who had stayed in Australia following one or other of the Ballets Russes tours to Australia, including Tamara Tchinarova and Polish dancers Raisse Kouznetsova, Valery Shaievsky and Edward Sobishevsy. She also gave work to some young Australian dancers who would later have significant careers in Australia including Rachel Cameron, Strelsa Heckelman, Paul Hammond and Peggy Sager.

Kirsova was an important patron of Australian artists, composers and set designers. She commissioned designs for her original ballets from artists such as Loudon Sainthill, Amie Kingston, Alice Danciger and Wolfgang Cardamatis. After the demise of the Kirsova Ballet in 1944 Kirsova kept her school running for a few more years before retiring to Europe in the late 1940s. For more about Kirsova's life, especially her activities in Australia, see 'A dancer's dream' National Library of Australia News, August 2000

Footage of Kirsova dancing with the Monte Carlo Russian Ballet in Le Beau Danube, filmed by Ewan Murray-Will, is available online at the australianscreen site 'Monte Carlo Russian Ballet. Original Ballet Russe Clip 1: Hélène Kirsova on stage'. Footage of her 1938 wedding is available at 'Murray-Will, Ewan: Ballets Russes, Hélène Kirsova's Wedding: Home Movie'

Related people and organisations

Resources for Hélène Kirsova

Selected resources (1)

Resources by Hélène Kirsova (7)

  1. Helene Kirsova in "The revolution of the umbrellas", choreographed by Helene Kirsova, Brisbane, 1944 / The Telegraph (Brisbane)
    Kirsova, Hélène, 1910-1962
    [ Photograph : 1944 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    Helene Kirsova in "The revolution of the umbrellas", choreographed by Helene Kirsova, Brisbane, 1944 / The Telegraph (Brisbane)
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 12.386)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 12.386)

  2. Peggy Sager (left) and Helene Kirsova in "The revolution of the umbrellas", choreographed by Helene Kirsova, Brisbane, 1944 / The Telegraph (Brisbane)
    Kirsova, Hélène, 1910-1962
    [ Photograph : 1944 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    Peggy Sager (left) and Helene Kirsova in "The revolution of the umbrellas", choreographed by Helene Kirsova, Brisbane, 1944 / The Telegraph (Brisbane)
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 11.454)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 11.454)

  3. Australian ballet / Hélène Kirsova ; drawings by Trevor Clare
    Kirsova, Hélène, 1910-1962
    [ Book : 1944 ]
    At 12 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6.693)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6.693)

  4. Australian ballet / Kirsova ; drawings by Trevor Clare
    Kirsova, Hélène, 1910-1962
    [ Book : 1944-1980 ]
    At 5 libraries
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.385)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.385)

  5. Für einen Tag / Helene Fischer
    Kirsova, Hélène, 1910-1962
    [ Sound : 2011 ]
    Languages: German
    At Coburg Library
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.633)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 3.633)

  6. Zaubermond
    Kirsova, Hélène, 1910-1962
    [ Sound : 2008 ]
    Languages: German
    At Brisbane City Cou
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 2.929)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 2.929)

  7. Skiing : east and west / photographed by Helene Fischer
    Kirsova, Hélène, 1910-1962
    [ Book : 1946 ]
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 2.738)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 2.738)

Resources about Hélène Kirsova (21)

  1. Helene Kirsova in "The revolution of the umbrellas", choreographed by Helene Kirsova, Brisbane, 1944 / The Telegraph (Brisbane)
    Kirsova, Hélène, 1910-1962
    [ Photograph : 1944 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    Helene Kirsova in "The revolution of the umbrellas", choreographed by Helene Kirsova, Brisbane, 1944 / The Telegraph (Brisbane)
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 12.348)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 12.348)

  2. Peggy Sager (left) and Helene Kirsova in "The revolution of the umbrellas", choreographed by Helene Kirsova, Brisbane, 1944 / The Telegraph (Brisbane)
    Kirsova, Hélène, 1910-1962
    [ Photograph : 1944 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    Peggy Sager (left) and Helene Kirsova in "The revolution of the umbrellas", choreographed by Helene Kirsova, Brisbane, 1944 / The Telegraph (Brisbane)
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 11.352)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 11.352)

  3. Portrait of Helene Kirsova in Petrushka, 1936-1937 / Max Dupain
    Dupain, Max, 1911-1992
    [ Photograph : 1938 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    Portrait of Helene Kirsova in Petrushka, 1936-1937 / Max Dupain
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6.826)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6.826)

  4. Portrait of Helene Kirsova, [1936-1937] Max Dupain
    Dupain, Max, 1911-1992
    [ Photograph : 1936-1937 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    Portrait of Helene Kirsova, [1936-1937] Max Dupain
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6.81)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6.81)

  5. Hélène Kirsova and E.J. Tait / Russell Roberts Ltd
    Russell Roberts Pty. Ltd
    [ Photograph : 1940 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    Hélène Kirsova and E.J. Tait / Russell Roberts Ltd
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6.039)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6.039)

  6. [Portrait of Hélène Kirsova in costume for 'Le Beau Danube', 1937] H. Tornquist
    Tornquist, H. (Herbert)
    [ Photograph : 1936-1937 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    [Portrait of Hélène Kirsova in costume for 'Le Beau Danube', 1937] H. Tornquist
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6.02)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6.02)

  7. Hélène Kirsova as the Ballerina in Petrouchka, Monte Carlo Russian Ballet, 1937
    [ Photograph : 1937 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    Hélène Kirsova as the Ballerina in Petrouchka, Monte Carlo Russian Ballet,  1937
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6.008)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 6.008)

  8. [Full length portrait of Hélène Kirsova in costume for 'Le Beau Danube', 1937] H. Tornquist
    Tornquist, H. (Herbert)
    [ Photograph : 1936-1937 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    [Full length portrait of Hélène Kirsova in costume for 'Le Beau Danube', 1937] H. Tornquist
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.998)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.998)

  9. Portrait of Hélène Kirsova in Swan lake, Monte Carlo Russian Ballet, 1937 / Tornquist Studio
    Tornquist Studio
    [ Photograph : 1937 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    Portrait  of Hélène Kirsova in Swan lake, Monte Carlo Russian Ballet, 1937 / Tornquist Studio
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.997)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.997)

  10. Hélène Kirsova as the Firebird, in The Firebird, Monte Carlo Russian Ballet, ca. 1936
    [ Photograph : 1936 ]
    Languages: No linguistic content
    View online
    At National Library
    Hélène Kirsova as the Firebird, in The Firebird, Monte Carlo Russian Ballet, ca. 1936
    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.959)

    This resource is very relevant to your query (score: 5.959)

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  1. Faust (1941 - )
    Faust (1941 - )
    Created by NLAdance, 8 items.

    Helene Kirsova's Faust, a ballet in three acts choreographed for her Kirsova Ballet company, premiered in October 1941. Set to a score by Henry Krips, with decor and costumes by Loudon S...

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.002)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.002)

  2. L'amour sorcier (Australian context)
    L'amour sorcier (Australian context)
    Created by NLAdance, 6 items.

    Leon Woizikowsky's L'amour sorcier was performed in Australia by the Monte Carlo Russian Ballet, opening at His Majesty's theatre Melbou...

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.002)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.002)

  3. The Revolution of the Umbrellas (1943 - )
    The Revolution of the Umbrellas (1943 - )
    Created by NLAdance, 8 items.

    Helene Kirsova's three-act ballet The Revolution of the Umbrellas premiered at the Sydney Conservatorium on 9 February 1943, as part of the 'Kirsova Ballet Season in aid of the Legacy War ...

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.001)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.001)

  1. Kirsova Ballet (1941-1944)
    ... the choreography for the Kirsova Ballet was by its founder, Helene Kirsova ...
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.012)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.012)

  2. Sainthill, Loudon (1919-1969)
    ... received a series of commissions from Helene Kirsova to create costumes ...
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.001)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.001)

  3. Gillen, Annette (1931-)
    ... English critic Arnold Haskell who toured with the Ballets Russes, and to Helene ...
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0)

  1. Website: Australia dancing
    www.australiadancing.org
    Matching pages:
    View 316 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.243)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.243)

  2. Website: National Library of Australia news
    www.nla.gov.au
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    View 24 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.026)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.026)

  3. Website: Ballets Russes in Australia : our cultural revolution
    www.nla.gov.au
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    View 98 matching archived pages
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.026)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 0.026)

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  1. Helene Kirsova in "The revolution o...
    Kirsova, Hélè...
    [ Photograph : 1944 ]
    Helene Kirsova in "The revolution of the umbrellas", choreographed by Helene Kirsova, Brisbane, 1944 / The Telegraph (Brisbane)
  2. Peggy Sager (left) and Helene Kirso...
    Kirsova, Hélè...
    [ Photograph : 1944 ]
    Peggy Sager (left) and Helene Kirsova in "The revolution of the umbrellas", choreographed by Helene Kirsova, Brisbane, 1944 / The Telegraph (Brisbane)
  3. Portrait of Helene Kirsova in Petru...
    Dupain, Max, 19...
    [ Photograph : 1938 ]
    Portrait of Helene Kirsova in Petrushka, 1936-1937 / Max Dupain
  4. Portrait of Helene Kirsova, [1936-1...
    Dupain, Max, 19...
    [ Photograph : 1936-1937 ]
    Portrait of Helene Kirsova, [1936-1937] Max Dupain
  5. [Portrait of Hélène Kirsova in co...
    Tornquist, H. (...
    [ Photograph : 1936-1937 ]
    [Portrait of Hélène Kirsova in costume for 'Le Beau Danube', 1937] H. Tornquist
  6. [Full length portrait of Hélène K...
    Tornquist, H. (...
    [ Photograph : 1936-1937 ]
    [Full length portrait of Hélène Kirsova in costume for 'Le Beau Danube', 1937] H. Tornquist
  1. Papers of Helene Kirsova
    Kirsova, Hélène, 1911-1962
    [ Published : 1900 ]
    Possibly online
    At Nat Gall Aus Res
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.725)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.725)

  2. [Kirsova Ballet : theatre programmes, ephemera held at the National Library of Australia]
    Kirsova, Helene
    [ Published : 1941-1944 ]
    Possibly online
    At National Library
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.413)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.413)

  3. Papers
    Kirsova, Helene, 1911-1962
    [ Unpublished : 1935-1946 ]
    At Nat Gall Aus Res
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.129)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.129)

  1. Kirsova Australian Ballet / [by Hélène Kirsova] ; drawings by Trevor Clare
    Kirsova, Hélène, 1911-1962
    [ Book : 1982 ]
    At 3 libraries
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.524)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.524)

  2. Australian ballet / Drawings by Trevor Clard
    Kirsova, Helene
    [ Book : 1944-1981 ]
    At 2 libraries
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.18)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.18)

  3. Kirsova Ballet archive : index / National Gallery of Australia Research Library
    National Gallery of Australia. Research Library
    [ Book : 2004 ]
    At Nat Gall Aus Res
    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.144)

    This resource may be of limited relevance to your query (score: 0.144)

  4. The Russians are coming! : the development of classical ballet in Australia / David Hough
    Hough, David, 1940-
    [ Book : 2001 ]
    At WA State Library
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.034)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.034)

  1. Peggy Sager interviewed by Michelle Potter
    Sager, Peggy, 1924-2002
    [ Sound : 1994 ]
    View online
    At National Library
    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.033)

    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.033)

  2. Paul Hammond interviewed by Mark Gordon in the Esso Performing Arts collection
    Hammond, Paul, 1922-2010
    [ Sound : 1989 ]
    At National Library
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  3. Dr. Faustus [Henry Krips]
    Krips, Henry, 1912-1987
    [ Printed music : 1941 ]
    Possibly online
    At National Library
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    This resource may only be vaguely related to your query: matching terms may only have been found in the full text contents of the resource (score: 0.002)

  4. Faust / Henry Krips
    Krips, Henry, 1912-1987
    [ Printed music : 1941 ]
    View online
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    Faust / Henry Krips
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  1. HELENE KIRSOVA Will Watch Dancers
    The Argus (Melbourne, Vic. : 1848 - 1957) Wednesday 21 September 1938 p 13 Article Illustrated
    ... HELENE KIRSOVA Will Watch Dancers When the Covent Garden Russian Ballet company opens its season ... severe critic in the audience. Her name HELENE KIRSOVA is Mme. Fischer, wife of the Danish Consul in Sydney, but she is better known to Austra- lians and to the world as Helene Kirsova, leading ballerina ... 169 words
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 2.105)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 2.105)

  2. HELENE KIRSOVA TO DANCE
    The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Tuesday 31 August 1943 p 7 Article
    ... HELENE KIRSOVA TO DANCE j Helene Kirsova will dance in her new ballet, "Capriccio," during the ... Russe de Monte Carlo. Since forming her Australian ballet in Sydney two years ago, Kirsova has devoted ... company that Kirsova decided to ease the strain on the others by dancing a spectacular role, which has an ... 258 words
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 2.102)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 2.102)

  3. A BALLERINA'S ROMANCE. Mlle. Helene Kirsova Interviewed.
    The West Australian (Perth, WA : 1879 - 1954) Wednesday 12 January 1938 p 4 Article
    ... A BALLERINA'S ROMANCE. Mlle. Helene Kirsova Interviewed. ABOUT 15 months ago Mile. Helene Kirsova, ... Obviously delighted to be returning to Australia under such happy circumstances, Mile. Kirsova displayed a ... Kirsova-whose real name is Mile. Elizabeth Kirsten Ellen Wittrup Hansen-eaid that she had met her ... 813 words
    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.796)

    This resource is likely to be relevant to your query (score: 1.796)

  1. A dancer's dream: Helene Kirsova and the development of Australian dance
    Potter, Michelle
    National Library of Australia News
    [ Article : 2000 ]
    View online
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    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.257)

  2. "A strong personality and a gift for leadership": Helene Kirsova in Australia
    Potter, Michelle
    Dance Research
    [ Article : 1995 ]
    View online
    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.223)

    This resource may have relevance to your query (score: 0.223)

  3. The De Basil Ballet and Australia
    Walker, Kathrine Sorley
    Hemisphere
    [ Article : 1983 ]
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  4. Media Release: City of Sydney
    MediaNet Press Release Wire
    [ Article : 2011 ]
    View online (conditions apply)
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