Arova, Sonia (1927–2001)
Arova, Sonia (1927–2001)
Bulgarian-born ballet dancer. Name variations: Sonia Sutowski. Born Sonia Errio, June 20, 1927, in Sofia, Bulgaria; died Feb 11, 2001, in San Diego, California; trained at the Sofia Opera Ballet; m. Thor Sutowski (dancer and choreographer), 1965; children: Ariane Sutowski.
Performed with, and created roles in, numerous companies throughout Europe, including a role in Design with Strings for the Metropolitan Ballet (1948), "Odette" in Swan Lake for Ballet Rambert, and more; relocated to US (c. 1955) and performed with Ballet Theater in such pieces as Design with Strings and Pas de Quatre (both 1955); joined Ruth Page Ballet, later renamed Ruth Page's Chicago Opera Ballet, in Illinois (c. 1955), where she performed throughout most of her career; danced the "Don Quixote" pas de deux with Rudolf Nureyev at Brooklyn Academy of Music for his NY debut (1962); danced with National Ballet in Washington in pieces by her husband, including Bachianas Brasileiras; served as director of the Norwegian National Ballet (1966–70) and of the San Diego Ballet and Ballet Alabama; was also an early partner of Erik Bruhn.