This dancer is described as the late Prima Ballerina Assoluta of the Royal Ballet. Who is she?

• A. Margot Fonteyn
• B. Dame Margot Fonteyn
• C. Anna Pavlova
• D. Tamara Rojo

Answer: (B)

The idea behind the title Prima Ballerina Assoluta is a dancer who represents the very pinnacle of a company’s artistry. For the Royal Ballet, the dancer most famously associated with that status is Margot Fonteyn. Because she has passed away, the respectful, formal reference is Dame Margot Fonteyn. Her career defined a generation of ballet in Britain and remains the benchmark for this prestigious designation. The other names are notable in different contexts: Anna Pavlova was a legendary figure from an earlier era and another country, while Tamara Rojo is linked to a later period and a different company.