Christensen (Lew) and Caccialanza (Gisella) Papers, 1903-1988

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Summary

Title:
Lew Christensen and Gisella Caccialanza Papers
Dates:
1903-1988
Creators:
Christensen, Lew, 1909-1984 Caccialanza, Gisella, 1914-
Abstract:
Extent:
19 Boxes
Language:
Preferred citation:

Lew Christensen and Gisella Caccialanza Papers. Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library

Background

Scope and content:

This is the personal collection of Lew Christensen and Gisella Caccialanza. It includes correspondence, libretti, clippings, photographs, negatives, programs, brochures, flyers, souvenir books, scrapbooks, audiotapes, and transcripts. Also included in the collection are two pairs of dance slippers. The collection includes materials (mostly photographs) about Lew Christensen's early vaudeville days and Gisella Caccialanza's time as a student at La Scala in Milan, Italy. Also included is material (mostly photographs) about their association with the St. Louis Municipal Opera, the American Ballet, the Ballet Caravan, and the San Francisco Ballet.

Biographical / historical:

Lew Christensen was born in Brigham City, Utah on May 9, 1909. Introduced to dance at a very young age, Lew studied dance with his uncle Peter Christensen, Stefano Mascagno, and L. Albertieri. While he was still in his teens, Christensen launched his professional dance career on the vaudeville circuit with his brother Willam, and later Harold (1927-1935). In 1934, while performing in the production The Great Waltz in New York, Lew began taking class at Lincoln Kirstein and George Balanchine's newly established School of American Ballet. In 1935, Lew joined the Metropolitan Opera's American Ballet where George Balanchine was ballet master. In his two years with American Ballet, Lew was hailed as America's first native premier danseur for his performance in George Balanchine's Orpheus and Eurydice (1936) and Apollon Musegéte (1937). He was also a founding company member of Ballet Caravan (1936-1940), a touring company founded by Lincoln Kirstein. For Ballet Caravan, Christensen choreographed his popular ballet, Filling Station (1938), Charade (1939) and Pastorela (1941). These ballets and Jinx (1942), choreographed for Eugene Loring's Dance Players (1941-1942), established Christensen as one of the nation's leading choreographers. Lew's works were also featured heavily in the company South American Tour in 1941. Lew's dance career was interrupted by World War II when he was drafted to serve in the United States Army. Upon his return to the United States, he became ballet master for Ballet Society (1946), formed by Balanchine and Kirstein. Ballet Society became known as New York City Ballet in 1948. During this period, Christensen danced lead roles in many of Balanchine's works. Lew was named associate director of San Francisco Ballet in 1949, a job he continued through 1950. In 1951, Lew became co-director of San Francisco Ballet with brother Willam, and became director shortly thereafter when Willam returned to Salt Lake City to establish a ballet program at the University of Utah. For San Francisco Ballet, Lew choreographed numerous ballets. As an artistic director, Christensen provided San Francisco Ballet with an impressive Balanchine repertory, its first television broadcasts, full-length productions of Nutcracker and his story ballet Beauty and the Beast (1968), as well as its first national and international exposure including tours to the Far East (1957), New York City (1965) and Edinburgh (1981). His works have been presented by numerous dance companies in the United States and abroad. During the 50th Anniversary Gala on January 29, 1983, Christensen was awarded the first Lew Christensen Medal for his extraordinary service to the San Francisco Ballet Association, starting a tradition which continues to present day. In April 1984, the Christensen brothers received the Capezio Dance Award at a special ceremony in New York City. Other honors include: an appointment as a charter commissioner of the California Arts Council (1964); the Dance Magazine Award (1973); the bronze medal for choreography at the First International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi (1979); and an honorary doctorate of fine arts degree from John F. Kennedy University in Orinda, California (1982). Lew suddenly died in his home on October 9, 1984.

Acquisition information:
The collection was donated by Gisella Caccialanza in 1984.

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Finding aid created by Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library staff.
Date Prepared:
1903-1988
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using Record Express for OAC5 on July 14, 2025, 2:54 p.m.

Access and use

Restrictions:

Entire collection is open for research use.

Terms of access:

Publication rights varies with materials.

Preferred citation:

Lew Christensen and Gisella Caccialanza Papers. Museum of Performance and Design, Performing Arts Library

Location of this collection:
2200 Jerrold Avenue
Suite T
San Francisco, CA 94124, US
Contact:
4157413531
info@mpdsf.org
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