It is hard to imagine a future without Madam

Sir Anthony Dowell

He described her as "one of the 20th century's greatest and most influential figures in the world of the arts".

Legacy

Dame Ninette established classical ballet in Britain, and left a lasting legacy of schooling and new choreography far beyond the companies and school she created.

A small, formidable woman, she was known throughout the ballet world as Madam.

She was generous, self-effacing and sometimes her honesty could be mistaken for rudeness

David Bintley, Birmingham Royal Ballet

Ian Albery, chief executive of Sadler's Wells, said her death meant the end of an era.

She said: "She loved the Wells as her spiritual home. She will be missed by us all.

"Dame Ninette was patron for the Appeal Fund for the rebuilding of Sadler's Wells Theatre and played a pivotal role in the fortunes of Sadler's Wells since 1931."

Carole McPhee, executive director of the English National Ballet, paid tribute to Dame Ninette's "vision, creativity and hard work".

She said: "We were very sad to hear of the death of Dame Ninette de Valois. She was the principal architect of British ballet."

David Bintley, director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, said he had learned most things from her.

'Greatness'

"She invented ballet in Britain. There was nothing here before her.

"It is a mark of her greatness to see what she achieved as a teacher, a dancer, a choreographer, a writer and a poet."

Madam is irreplaceable

Gailene Stock, Royal Ballet School

Sir Anthony added: "Through her achievements she will remain a source of inspiration and encouragement as she has been throughout her life to so many of us as dancer, choreographer, director, teacher and mentor."

He said: "It is hard to imagine a future without Madam. The Royal Ballet is part of her legacy, created through her energy, determination and imagination, which we shall continue to cherish in the years to come."

'Generous'

"She was formidable," said Mr Bintley, "but I was lucky enough to see the other side of her.

"She was generous, self-effacing and sometimes her honesty could be mistaken for rudeness.

"But she always spoke the truth."

He added: "She retired almost 40 years ago but continues to have an enormous influence.

"She taught what she knew to her generation, the following generation and to my generation."

Gailene Stock, director of the Royal Ballet School, which Dame Ninette founded, said simply "Madam is irreplaceable".

She said: "It is impossible to express the gratitude and love that the staff and students, both past and present feel for Dame Ninette."

She added: "Her heritage will live on through the Royal companies, the school, students and teachers who cherish the links that they experienced through the golden de Valois years."