Russian dancer and teacher born in Smolensk. She studied with E. Gerdt and Vaganova at the Leningrad Ballet School and graduated in 1937 into the Kirov Ballet where she danced until 1963. Her technique was characterized by her huge jumps, lyrical fluency and a classical purity of style. Combined with the boldness of her dramatic interpretations, these qualities made her one of the company's most popular ballerinas. 'She is a tragic and inspired ballerina. You can always recognise her by the perfection of the sketch, by the emotion and by the self-abandon' Ulanova wrote of her. She performed the standard principal roles and was especially famed for her portrayal of Nikiya in 'La Bayadere' and created the role of Aegina in 'Spartacus' in 1956 and Zarema in 'Fountain of Bakchisarai'. For a time she was married to choreographer Yuri Grigorovich. She performed in several ballet films and TV shows and was artistic director of the Kuibyshev Ballet from 1970-1973 and ballet mistress of the Kirov from 1977-1979. She was made People's Artist of the Russian Federation in 1957. Died peacefully at her home in St Petersburg.
Russian dancer and teacher born in Smolensk. She studied with E. Gerdt and Vaganova at the Leningrad Ballet School and graduated in 1937 into the Kirov Ballet where she danced until 1963. Her technique was characterized by her huge jumps, lyrical fluency and a classical purity of style. Combined with the boldness of her dramatic interpretations, these qualities made her one of the company's most popular ballerinas. 'She is a tragic and inspired ballerina. You can always recognise her by the perfection of the sketch, by the emotion and by the self-abandon' Ulanova wrote of her. She performed the standard principal roles and was especially famed for her portrayal of Nikiya in 'La Bayadere' and created the role of Aegina in 'Spartacus' in 1956 and Zarema in 'Fountain of Bakchisarai'. For a time she was married to choreographer Yuri Grigorovich. She performed in several ballet films and TV shows and was artistic director of the Kuibyshev Ballet from 1970-1973 and ballet mistress of the Kirov from 1977-1979. She was made People's Artist of the Russian Federation in 1957. Died peacefully at her home in St Petersburg.
Bio by: Medora
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