Antonietta Dell ` Era ( 16 February 1861 Milan 22 June 1945 Berlin ) was an Italian `` prima ballerina '' best known for originating the role of the Sugar Plum Fairy in Tchaikovsky 's ballet , `` The Nutcracker '' ( 1892 ) .
Antonietta Dell ` Era ( 16 February 1861 Milan -- 22 June 1945 Berlin ) was an Italian `` prima ballerina '' in Berlin , best remembered for creating the Sugar Plum Fairy in `` The Nutcracker '' ( 1892 ) .