Prima ballerina assoluta

An honorary Italian title meaning absolute first ballerina, awarded to very rare legendary dancers, traditionally by the imperial theatres of Russia. Conferred for the first time on Pierina Legnani by ballet master Marius Petipa in 1894, it distinguishes an artist at the summit of her art. This supreme accolade lends immense prestige to the performers of the ballets proposed to palace guests, marking a dancer as truly exceptional.