Nicholas Magallanes

Nicholas Magallanes (1922–1977) was a first-generation principal dancer with the New York City Ballet. Along with Jerome Robbins, Francisco Moncion and Maria Tallchief, Magallanes was among the core group of dancers with which George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein formed the New York City Ballet (formerly Ballet Society) in 1948. Magallanes created the title rôle in Balanchine's "Orpheus" to music by Stravinsky, the ballet that marked the debut of the new company. Magallanes was born in Camargo, Mexico. He began his ballet studies at Balanchine's School of American Ballet in 1938. Prior to the formation of City Ballet, Magallanes danced with Ballet Caravan and the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo. More highly regarded for his partnering...