Soviet dancer and choreographer. He took evening classes at the Lennigrad Ballet School and danced with the Joseph Kschessinsky company from 1928-1929 before going back to LCS full-time. In 1930 he joined the Kirov Ballet (known as GATOB back then) where he remained until 1961, revered as a 'poet of dance'. His lyrical, Romantic style showcased in all the major classical roles in which his was usaully partnered with Ulanova or his second wife, Dudinskaya. He created roles in many ballets including 'The Fountain of Bakchisarai', 'Gayane' and 'Taras Bulba'. He choreographed the first Lennigrad production of Prokofiev's 'Cinderella' casting himself as the Prince and created several other ballets including: 'Path of Thunder' and 'Hamlet'. She also staged many classics such as 'Raymonda', 'Sleeping Beauty' and 'Swan Lake', all for the Kirov. He was artistic director of the Lennigrad Ballet School from 1938-1940 and 1972-1982 and also director of the Kirov from 1951-1956 and 1960-1970, leading the company on its first Western tours. Among his honours were People's Artist of the USSR and Honourary Award. He is buried in the Literatorskiye Mostki Cemetery next to Natalya Dudinskaya.
Soviet dancer and choreographer. He took evening classes at the Lennigrad Ballet School and danced with the Joseph Kschessinsky company from 1928-1929 before going back to LCS full-time. In 1930 he joined the Kirov Ballet (known as GATOB back then) where he remained until 1961, revered as a 'poet of dance'. His lyrical, Romantic style showcased in all the major classical roles in which his was usaully partnered with Ulanova or his second wife, Dudinskaya. He created roles in many ballets including 'The Fountain of Bakchisarai', 'Gayane' and 'Taras Bulba'. He choreographed the first Lennigrad production of Prokofiev's 'Cinderella' casting himself as the Prince and created several other ballets including: 'Path of Thunder' and 'Hamlet'. She also staged many classics such as 'Raymonda', 'Sleeping Beauty' and 'Swan Lake', all for the Kirov. He was artistic director of the Lennigrad Ballet School from 1938-1940 and 1972-1982 and also director of the Kirov from 1951-1956 and 1960-1970, leading the company on its first Western tours. Among his honours were People's Artist of the USSR and Honourary Award. He is buried in the Literatorskiye Mostki Cemetery next to Natalya Dudinskaya.
Bio by: Medora
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