Mar ‧ ko ‧ va, Dame A ‧ li ‧ ci ‧ a /mɑːˈkəʊvə $ mɑːr-, əˈliːsiə/ BrE AmE
(1910–2004) a British ↑ ballet dancer who performed all over the world and is known especially for her performances in the ballet Giselle . She danced with Diaghilev's ↑ ballet company from 1925 to 1929, started the London Festival Ballet in 1950, and was ↑ director of the New York Metropolitan Opera Ballet from 1963 to 1969.