Ballerina. Born to Max and Tamara (Andreieff) Hartmann, she became prima ballerina of the Metropolitan Opera for eight seasons, and, after a long career as a dancer, became a distinguished teacher and choreographer. Born Yvette von Hartmann to Russian emigre parents, she studied as a child with several of the Russian dancers then in Paris. In 1931, she made her professional debut with Ida Rubenstein's experimental troupe, later appearing for Miss Rubenstein in "Amphion". From 1939 to 1941, she was a soloist with the Original Ballet Russe, touring extensively in "Graduation Ball", "The Sleeping Beauty", "Aurora's Wedding", and "Les Sylphides". The company moved to New York due to WWII, and Miss Svetlova was guest artist with the American Ballet Theater in 1943. From 1943 until 1950, she was lead ballerina with the Metropolitan Opera, then held the same position in the New York City Opera in 1950 and 1951. She also had her own touring concert group from 1944 until 1969. Miss Svetlova was professor and chairwoman of the Indiana University ballet department from 1969 to 1992, ran the Svetlova Dance Center in Dorset, Vermont, from 1965 until 1995, and did choreography for regional opera companies from the 1960s thru the 1980s. In 1968, she helped Igor Stravinsky stage "Histoire du Soldat" in Seattle. She died after being in failing health since a stroke several years ago.
Ballerina. Born to Max and Tamara (Andreieff) Hartmann, she became prima ballerina of the Metropolitan Opera for eight seasons, and, after a long career as a dancer, became a distinguished teacher and choreographer. Born Yvette von Hartmann to Russian emigre parents, she studied as a child with several of the Russian dancers then in Paris. In 1931, she made her professional debut with Ida Rubenstein's experimental troupe, later appearing for Miss Rubenstein in "Amphion". From 1939 to 1941, she was a soloist with the Original Ballet Russe, touring extensively in "Graduation Ball", "The Sleeping Beauty", "Aurora's Wedding", and "Les Sylphides". The company moved to New York due to WWII, and Miss Svetlova was guest artist with the American Ballet Theater in 1943. From 1943 until 1950, she was lead ballerina with the Metropolitan Opera, then held the same position in the New York City Opera in 1950 and 1951. She also had her own touring concert group from 1944 until 1969. Miss Svetlova was professor and chairwoman of the Indiana University ballet department from 1969 to 1992, ran the Svetlova Dance Center in Dorset, Vermont, from 1965 until 1995, and did choreography for regional opera companies from the 1960s thru the 1980s. In 1968, she helped Igor Stravinsky stage "Histoire du Soldat" in Seattle. She died after being in failing health since a stroke several years ago.
Bio by: Bob Hufford
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