Ballet is called an integral part of the art of our country. Russian ballet is considered the most authoritative in the world, the standard. This review contains the success stories of five great Russian ballerinas who are still looked up to today.
Anna Pavlova
Outstanding ballerina Anna Pavlova was born into a family far from art. She developed the desire to dance at the age of 8 after the girl saw ballet performance"Sleeping Beauty". At the age of 10, Anna Pavlova was accepted into the Imperial Theater School, and after graduation, she was accepted into the troupe of the Mariinsky Theater.
What is curious is that the aspiring ballerina was not placed in the corps de ballet, but immediately began to give her responsible roles in productions. Anna Pavlova danced under the direction of several choreographers, but the most successful and fruitful tandem, which had a fundamental influence on her performance style, was with Mikhail Fokin.
Anna Pavlova supported the choreographer’s bold ideas and readily agreed to experiments. Miniature "The Dying Swan", which later became business card Russian ballet, was almost impromptu. In this production, Fokine gave the ballerina more freedom, allowing her to independently feel the mood of “The Swan” and improvise. In one of the first reviews, the critic admired what he saw: “If a ballerina on stage can imitate the movements of the noblest of birds, then this has been achieved:.”
Galina Ulanova
Galina Ulanova's fate was predetermined from the very beginning. The girl’s mother worked as a ballet teacher, so Galina, even if she really wanted to, was unable to bypass the ballet barre. Years of grueling training led to Galina Ulanova becoming the most titled artist of the Soviet Union.
After graduating from the choreographic technical school in 1928, Ulanova was accepted into ballet troupe Leningrad Opera and Ballet Theater. From the very first performances, the young ballerina attracted the attention of spectators and critics. A year later, Ulanova was entrusted with performing the leading role of Odette-Odile in Swan Lake. Giselle is considered one of the ballerina’s triumphant roles. Performing the scene of the heroine's madness, Galina Ulanova did it so soulfully and selflessly that even the men in the audience could not hold back their tears.
Galina Ulanova reached . They imitated her, teachers of the leading ballet schools in the world demanded that their students do steps “like Ulanova.” The famous ballerina is the only one in the world to whom monuments were erected during her lifetime.
Galina Ulanova danced on stage until she was 50 years old. She was always strict and demanding of herself. Even in old age, the ballerina began every morning with classes and weighed 49 kg.
Olga Lepeshinskaya
For passionate temperament, sparkling technique and precision of movements Olga Lepeshinskaya nicknamed "Dragonfly Jumper". The ballerina was born into a family of engineers. WITH early childhood the girl literally raved about dancing, so her parents had no choice but to send her to ballet school at the Bolshoi Theater.
Olga Lepeshinskaya easily coped with both ballet classics (“ Swan Lake", "Sleeping Beauty"), and with modern productions ("Red Poppy", "Flames of Paris.") During the Great Patriotic War Lepeshinskaya fearlessly performed at the front, raising the morale of the soldiers.
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Olga Lepeshinskaya -
ballerina with a passionate temperament. | Photo: www.etoretro.ru.
Despite the fact that the ballerina was Stalin’s favorite and had many awards, she was very demanding of herself. Already at an advanced age, Olga Lepeshinskaya said that her choreography could not be called outstanding, but her “natural technique and fiery temperament” made her inimitable.
Maya Plisetskaya
Maya Plisetskaya- another outstanding ballerina, whose name is inscribed in golden letters in the history of Russian ballet. When the future artist was 12 years old, she was adopted by Aunt Shulamith Messerer. Plisetskaya’s father was shot, and her mother and little brother were sent to Kazakhstan to a camp for the wives of traitors to the Motherland.
Aunt Plisetskaya was a ballerina Bolshoi Theater, so Maya also began to attend choreography classes. The girl achieved great success in this field and after graduating from college she was accepted into the Bolshoi Theater troupe.
Plisetskaya's innate artistry, expressive plasticity, and phenomenal jumps made her a prima ballerina. Maya Plisetskaya performed leading roles in all classical productions. She was especially successful tragic images. Also, the ballerina was not afraid of experiments in modern choreography.
After the ballerina was fired from the Bolshoi Theater in 1990, she did not despair and continued to give solo performances. The overflowing energy allowed Plisetskaya to make her debut in the production of “Ave Maya” on her 70th birthday.
Lyudmila Semenyaka
Beautiful ballerina Lyudmila Semenyaka performed on the stage of the Mariinsky Theater when she was only 12 years old. The talented talent could not go unnoticed, so after some time Lyudmila Semenyaka was invited to the Bolshoi Theater. Significant influence Galina Ulanova, who became her mentor, influenced the ballerina’s work.
Semenyaka coped with any part so naturally and effortlessly that from the outside it seemed as if she was not making any effort, but was simply enjoying the dance. In 1976, Lyudmila Ivanovna was awarded the Anna Pavlova Prize from the Paris Academy of Dance.
At the end of the 1990s, Lyudmila Semenyaka announced her retirement from her ballerina career, but continued her activities as a teacher. Since 2002, Lyudmila Ivanovna has been a teacher-tutor at the Bolshoi Theater.
But he mastered the art of ballet in Russia, and spent most of his life performing in the USA.
The art of dance has been a universal form of self-expression since ancient times. Body language is understood by anyone in the world, which is why dancing is so popular. From ballet to modern dance, from hip-hop to salsa, from oriental dances to flamenco - to last decades dance like high art, is experiencing real prosperity.
But when it comes to individual dancers, it can be very difficult to choose just one as the best. If you are interested in dancing and the people who devoted their whole lives to it, then we suggest that you familiarize yourself with the list of the most famous and popular dancers of the 20th century.
10 Most Famous Dancers of the 20th Century
1. RUDOLF NURIEV
The artist was born in Russia and already at the age of twenty became a soloist of the Mariinsky Theater. In 1961, Nuriev asks political asylum, allegedly due to his oppression by the authorities, and receives it in France. Then the artist tours with the Grand Ballet du Marquis de Cuevas.
Eyewitnesses say that Nureyev was amazingly charismatic, and his emotional performance in a duet with Fonteyn in Romeo and Juliet remains to this day one of the most powerful performances among duets in the history of ballet.
Unfortunately, Nureyev became one of the first victims of HIV and died of AIDS in 1993. Twenty years later, we are still enjoying the great legacy he left behind.
2. MIKHAIL BARYSHNIKOV
Mikhail Baryshnikov is one of the greatest ballet dancers of all time, considered by many critics to be the best. Before joining the Mariinsky Theater troupe in 1967, Baryshnikov studied ballet at the Leningrad Vaganova School. Since the beginning of his career at the Mariinsky Theater, Mikhail has taken leading roles in dozens of productions.
Baryshnikov played a key role in the emergence of ballet as part of popular culture in the late 1970s and early 80s, and he was the face of the art form for more than two decades.
Today Mikhail Baryshnikov is perhaps the most influential and famous dancer of our time.
3. Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers - this great dancing couple is today in third place in the ranking of the most famous dancers of the 20th century. The couple was very harmonious, he gave her class, and she made him even more charismatic. Their performances were accessible to the widest masses, and the public responded to them with sincere love.
The heyday of Astaire and Rogers' careers came during the Great Depression, and the timing was extremely fortunate: many Americans at that time were struggling to make ends meet, and fiery dances couples allowed them to escape reality for at least a little while and have fun.
4. JOAQUIN CORTEZ
Joaquin Cortez is the youngest among the dancers presented on our list. Although he has not yet finished his career and may not have danced his most famous dance, Cortez is one of the few dancers in history who received the title of sex symbol and is incredibly popular among both women and men. Madonna and Jennifer Lopez claim to adore him, while Naomi Campbell and Mira Sorvino join the ranks of women whose hearts he broke.
It's safe to say that Joaquin Cortez is one of the greatest flamenco dancers in the world. Among his male admirers are Tarantino, Armani, Al Pacino, Banderas and Sting. Fans call him the god of flamenco, and if you watch even one recording of his performance, you will understand why. At the age of forty-four, Cortez is still alone; he once declared: “Dancing is my wife, my only woman.”
5. MICHAEL JACKSON
Michael Jackson was the man who made dancing an important element of modern pop music. Most of today's pop stars such as Justin Bieber, Usher, Justin Timberlake, admitted that in different time they were heavily influenced by Michael Jackson's style.
His contribution to dance is enormous. Jackson was an innovator who created new dance moves on his own. His natural grace, flexibility and sense of rhythm contributed to the emergence of the signature "Jackson style". His colleagues called him a “sponge” for his ability to search and find new ideas and techniques wherever he was.
Jackson looked for inspiration in the works of James Brown, Marcelle Marceau, Gene Kelly and, no matter how strange it may sound, in the performances of classical ballet dancers. Michael Jackson's originality and unique style brought him fame, and today he stands alongside other giants of popular music such as Elvis and the Beatles.
6. SYLVIE GUILLEM
At forty-eight years old, Sylvie Guillem continues to be one of the most popular ballerinas in the world. Guillem has changed the face of ballet, her performances go beyond its classical boundaries.
Instead of building a classical career as a ballerina, Guillem made a bold choice, equally participating in productions of the Paris Opera and in the projects of William Forsythe. Along with Maria Callas in opera world, Sylvie Guillem once again shaped the popular image of a ballerina.
7. GENE KELLY
Gene Kelly was one of the most famous stars Hollywood musicals. Kelly's numbers harmoniously combined ballet elements and modern dance movements - it was his own unique style. Kelly brought new dance trends to theatrical productions.
Kelly's legacy is his music video, recognized and loved all over the world. More than one generation of American dancers has found something of their own in his movements and style.
8. JOSEPHINE BAKER
Although the name Josephine Baker is associated primarily with the heyday jazz music- the golden age of jazz, her influence on emerging and contemporary stars remains great.
Josephine Baker is one of the first stars of African descent. She arrived in Paris in 1925 and literally captivated the public with her combination of exotic charm and talent. Josephine performed at the Folies Bergere, and this was a good start to her career. In France, the artist did not feel as widespread racial prejudice as it was in the United States at that time.
At the end of her life, Josephine returned to the stage. She died in 1975 from a cerebral hemorrhage.
9. MARTHA GRAHAM
Martha Graham is considered the mother modern dance. She created more than one hundred and fifty unique choreographic numbers and had a huge influence on all areas of modern dance.
Her technique is different from the classical one, and movements such as compression, release and spiral are her own invention. Graham went even further and created a “language of movement” based on the expressive capabilities of the human body.
10. VACLAV NIJINSKY
Vaslav Nijinsky was one of the most talented ballet dancers in history. Unfortunately, there are no recordings of his performance left, so it is currently impossible to appreciate his incredible talent.
Nijinsky was famous for his amazing ability defying gravity, which was embodied in his magnificent leaps. Vaclav was the partner of the legendary Anna Pavlova.
Nijinsky left the stage in 1919 at the age of twenty-nine. He was sick with schizophrenia and frequent nervous breakdowns did not allow him to continue working. Last years The artist spent his life in psychiatric hospitals and shelters.
Correspondent at the Bolshoi Opera and Ballet Theater of Belarus Naviny . by I learned first-hand what ballet dancers wear under tights and why it is believed that many of them are gay.Read about the pregnancy of ballerinas and one day off a week in our 10 facts.
To figure out which rumors about the Belarusian ballet are true and which are pure fiction, let the correspondent Naviny. by theater artist helped Gennady Kulinkovich with ballerina assistants.
1. Are ballet dancers fragile and fluffy?
Hearing: During one performance, a ballet dancer lifts and carries about 2 tons of weight.
Is it true: Physical exercise really big. On stage - it depends on the production, of course - a ballet dancer, a man lifts the ballerina many times. In modern productions all you do is lift and set, lift and set, lift, circle, set. If you count the number of lifts, then yes, two tons is a real number.
In addition, ballet dancers rehearse and train a lot. This is also a burden. We have rehearsals every day, except for the day off, which is once a week. Plus performances.
2. Ballet dancers get sick more often
Hearing: Due to heavy workloads and constant diets, ballet dancers get sick more often than others.
Is it true: The ballet rehearsal halls of the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus are equipped with bactericidal lamps, like in a hospital. In winter, when the flu begins and other viruses appear, then individual employee turns on these lamps for half an hour to disinfect the room. This is very important so that diseases do not spread: we all work in close contact, train and rehearse for many hours. If someone brought a disease, then it is neutralized.
3. Occupational diseases in ballet
Hearing: Feet are the most painful place on a dancer’s body.
Is it true: This is partly true. Occupational diseases of dancers are diseases of the joints. Ballet dancers have protruding bones at their big toes, their joints become inflamed and naturally hurt. Women also have this disease, but it is caused by uncomfortable, tight shoes that deform the foot. For ballet masters, there is constant stress on the toes and forefoot: many movements in ballet are performed on the toes.
The second common class of health problems is prolapse of internal organs from constant jumping. Everything is individual, but often the kidneys, heart, and other internal organs, which subsequently put pressure on the bladder.
4. Young pensioners
Hearing: Some people think that ballerinas retire too early.
Is it true. By law, ballet dancers retire after 23 years of work experience. Maternity leave time is not counted towards length of service. As a result, ballet dancers become young pensioners. However, many of them do not actually retire: depending on their state of health, retired dancers work as tutors, teachers, stage managers, stage workers, costume designers, etc.
To the interlocutor Naviny. by Gennady Kulinkovich has two years left until retirement. In the future, the dancer also plans to engage in teaching.
5. Abnormal operation
Hearing: Ballet theater artists have two days off a week, just like ordinary citizens
Is it true. Ballet dancers work 6 days a week. There is only one day off - Monday. During the summer, due to the fact that spectators migrate to dachas and the sea, the day off at the Bolshoi Theater is moved to Saturday. The female part of the troupe is happy about this: finally there is an opportunity to spend time with their family. Men grumble: when Monday is a day off, you can at least relax and not do household chores.
The working day of ballet masters is also abnormal in understanding ordinary person: from 10:00 to 15:00, then a three-hour break, after the break work resumes at 18:00 due to evening performances. The official working day for ballet workers ends at 21:00.
A long break is necessary so that after morning workouts and rehearsals, the body had time to rest and recover before evening work.
This is convenient for young dancers: they can study during the break. Gennady Kullinkovich, for example, received a higher choreographic education this way. But now he sees few advantages in this schedule.
“With such a schedule it is very difficult to arrange a personal life. Look at me: 38 years old, and no family, no children. My whole life is in the theatre,”- says Gennady.
6. Are ballet and children incompatible?
Hearing: Due to requirements for appearance, ballerinas have to give up motherhood.
Is it true: Having a family and children at the height of their career is indeed more difficult for ballet dancers than for representatives of other professions: both the work schedule and the fact that postpartum restoration of shape requires time and effort. So girls use two strategies: either start a family and children immediately after college/university, or postpone it until they retire.
Despite the unfavorable circumstances, there are ballerinas in the Bolshoi Theater of Belarus who have two, and some even three, children.
“We, just like doctors and teachers, combine work and pregnancy. We plan, go on maternity leave, recover and continue working. This is a matter for each individual artist, but during pregnancy, the sooner you leave dancing, the better for you and your unborn child. This is associated with risks: here you need to bend, jump, you can fall and get hurt,”- told website ballerinas of the Bolshoi.
“We are the best mothers, wives, and we also know how to dance and tiptoe around the kitchen,”- ballerinas joke in response to a question about the specifics of family life.
7. If he dances in ballet, that means he’s gay.
Hearing: There are many gays among ballet dancers.
Is it true: This is a common stereotype, says ballet dancer Gennady Kullinkovich. We no longer react to it. This is what they say about all men who dance. It is born out of a misunderstanding on the part of the viewer: how can men remain indifferent and calm surrounded by so much beauty and nudity. Spectators often find themselves behind the scenes, and men are shocked: here everyone changes clothes, intimate parts of their bodies are at arm's length... But we are already accustomed to this and react as if it were something normal. So the viewer thinks that the men in the ballet are gay.
8. What does a dancer wear under his tights?
Hearing: Dancers don’t wear panties.
Photo pixabay.com
Is it true: There is more talk about the underwear of male artists than about the underwear of ballerinas: the viewer under a snow-white tights, to his surprise, does not see the expected outlines of the panties.
Gennady Kulinkovich said that dancers have their own secrets. Manufacturers of dancewear meet the expectations of artists and produce seamless models of special underwear that is invisible under the costume - bandages. A store located near the Bolshoi sells special clothes for dancers.
9. Meat in pointe shoes
Hearing: Ballerinas put meat in their pointe shoes to reduce injury to their feet.
Is it true: No meat is included. There are more modern methods leg protection. Ballet companies produce special half shoes that cover only the toes. They are silicone. Some people don’t add anything - it’s already convenient for them. Silicone inserts for pointe shoes are not produced in Belarus; they are made in the USA, China, and Russia.
Photo pixabay.com
Over the course of a year, a ballerina wears out 5-10 pairs of pointe shoes, depending on the load. Some artists have their own lasts - three-dimensional copies of feet made by masters, from which pointe shoes are made to order.
10. Dancing pays well.
Hearing: Artists earn a lot.
Is it true: Everything is relative. The earnings of ballet dancers depend on their position in the troupe: leading stage master, soloist or corps de ballet dancer. The number of scenes worked in productions also affects. For each performance, points are awarded, which are kept by a special theater employee. The amount of points for each dance is different, standard for all artists, it depends on the complexity and duration of the performance. The amount of points received affects the bonus. Thus, the salary of a corps de ballet dancer is around 120 rubles, and the bonus awarded for performances can exceed it several times.
Photo by Sergei Balay
The myths about only female parts in dance have long gone into oblivion. Today men rightfully occupy the leading roles, without them we cannot imagine modern ballet.
Top 5 most famous ballet dancers
Vaslav Fomich Nijinsky
The founder of male ballet of the 20th century. Born into a family of dancers in 1890. In 1907, after graduating from college, he began performing with Mariinsky Theater, almost immediately playing the main roles. Nijinsky had a technique that was unique at that time, especially inconspicuous in life, he completely transformed into his hero. His bird-like jumps and flights were inimitable. Nijinsky's innovations and experiments were not always successful; he seemed to be ahead of his time and the public did not understand him. In 1919 it was last performance artist. Later, the ballet adopted his expressionist style and completely new plastic movements. Despite the short period of creativity (10 years), he was and remains an idol.
Vasiliev Vladimir Viktorovich
Born in 1940 into a working-class family. In 1947, for company, I went to a dance club with a friend. And 2 years later, in 1949, he was admitted to the choreographic school, where he amazed his teachers with his skill and virtuosity. After college, in 1958 he was invited to join the Bolshoi Theater ballet troupe, where, almost immediately, he began playing leading roles. The most enchanting part was the part of Spartak, after which Vasilyev was nicknamed “the god of dance.” With his movements he conveyed the slightest accents in the music, merging with it into a single whole. Vasiliev was awarded several awards and became a laureate of many competitions, winning first prizes and gold medals.
Gorsky Alexander Alekseevich
In 1889 he began dancing in the corps de ballet, and 11 years later he became the premier of the troupe. Author teaching aid systems dance moves Stepanova. Dance theory teacher at a ballet school. Gorsky is a ballet reformer. He introduced the laws of drama and a sense of authenticity into ballet. His production of Don Quixote is still staged in theaters, although at that time it did not cause delight among critics. As a choreographer, Gorsky made a great contribution to the development and improvement. Many famous ballets, staged by Gorsky in his own interpretation, began to live a new life.
Ermolaev Alexey Nikolaevich
As a 16-year-old college graduate, Ermolaev plays the god of the wind - his first role in the ballet “Talisman”. The theater's choreographer immediately saw the guy's unbridled energy and strength and created images to suit his character. A fan of ballet, he rearranged all the parts to suit himself, rehearsing at night by candlelight. Ermolay changed his usual image male role in ballet, his virtuoso movements - triple rounds in the air, double revolts - are still not being repeated by dancers.
Fokin Mikhail Mikhailovich
Italian, born into a family of ballet dancers in 1850. Studied at the Florentine Dance Academy G. Lepri. Since 1870 he performed on the stage of La Scala. Master of facial expressions and pas de deux. Author of the development methodology dance technique ballet
On April 18, the famous dancer, choreographer, choreographer, theater director and actor, teacher and National artist USSR Vladimir Vasiliev will celebrate his 75th anniversary. The role of Spartacus, created by Yuri Grigorovich specifically for Vasiliev, became a symbol of the national ballet of the Bolshoi Theater in the second half of the 20th century. “At the age of 28, he made a role that immediately stood in that select series of general cultural and timeless significance, where Anna Pavlova’s Swan, Galina Ulanova’s Juliet, Maya Plisetskaya’s Carmen,” wrote Asaf Messerer, ballet dancer, choreographer and uncle of the unsurpassed Maya Plisetskaya .
Even at the chreographic school, a unique duet of Vladimir Vasiliev and Ekaterina Maksimova formed -
his wife and constant partner, a ballerina, for whom he created ballets, concert performances and films. This duet has been repeatedly recognized as “golden”, “the best in the world”, and called “a legend of the 20th century”. But does everyone remember that, in addition to television recordings of ballet performances in which Vasiliev participated, such as “Spartacus”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “The Nutcracker”, “The Stone Flower”, “Cinderella”, there were also art paintings, films-ballets? These are “The Tale of the Little Humpbacked Horse”, “Spartacus”, “Gigolo and Gigolette”. Since 1971, Vasiliev acted as a choreographer, staged a number of ballets on the Soviet and foreign stage, as well as the television ballets “Anyuta” and “House by the Road” to the music of V. A. Gavrilin. In the film “Fouette,” Vladimir Vasiliev acted both as a choreographer and as a co-director. Well, the great Franco Zeffirelli himself invited Vasiliev and Maksimova to the film version of La Traviata!
Mikhail Baryshnikov
But to another the most famous dancer, one of the most famous representatives of male dance in the 20th century, born in the USSR - Mikhail Baryshnikov - Joseph Brodsky himself dedicated several poems: “ Classical ballet there is a castle of beauty..." and "We used to water the lawn with a watering can...". Baryshnikov’s name is even mentioned in the book “Needful Things” by Stephen King.
In cinema, Mikhail Nikolaevich had the opportunity to play several roles. But in his biography there is interesting story, associated with the teleplay “Fiesta”, staged by Sergei Yuryevich Yursky, based on the novel “The Sun Also Rises” by Ernest Hemingway. When Baryshnikov made his debut on the stage of the Kirov Theater,
It turned out that the stage had not seen such a dancer for a long time. There was talk in the city that this young student was perhaps equal in talent to Vaslav Nijinsky and Rudolf Nureyev. And Sergei Yursky took an unexpected step - he invited ballet dancer on dramatic role Matadora in his performance “Fiesta”. How can a dramatic artist prove that he is a bullfighter? Of course, the issue here is primarily one of plastic. A ballet actor was what was needed. It was Baryshnikov who could best play real Spain. But in 1974, Mikhail Baryshnikov did not return from a tour in Canada and became a defector. As was then expected, everything connected with his name had to be destroyed. In particular, there was a film recording of the play “Fiesta”, but on Leningrad television, editor Elena Nisimova hid the film, thanks to which the recording was preserved in the archive.
And abroad, Mikhail Baryshnikov played in several films, such as “White Nights”, “Jack Ryan: Chaos Theory”. He was nominated for an Oscar for his supporting role in The Turning Point. The film was submitted to eleven award nominations, but received none. In one of the scenes of this film, Mikhail Baryshnikov performs Vladimir Vysotsky’s song “The Crystal House”. The dancer also starred in the last episodes of the last season of the series “Sex in big city"in the role of Carrie Bradshaw's next lover - Russian artist Alexander Petrovsky. Immediately after their meeting in the story, Petrovsky invites the journalist to the Russian Samovar restaurant in New York, which, by the way, is owned by Baryshnikov.
Maya Plisetskaya
A whole era in our art, outstanding personality, brilliant ballerina, talented actress And interesting woman- it's all about Maya Plisetskaya. She is always modern. And during its active creative life ballerinas, and now they are the standard in everything. It is Maya Mikhailovna who personifies the Russian Ballet for many. And it is difficult to find a person in the world who does not know this name. Otherwise, an asteroid would not have been named in honor of Plisetskaya, and the Moscow musical rock group “Klyuchevaya” would not have composed a song called “Maya Plisetskaya,” which became a hit and the group’s calling card for many years. And there is no more symbolic name, inextricably linked with ballet and choreography. And even with cinema.
For the first time on the silver screen famous ballerina appeared in 1951 in Vera Stroeva’s film “ Big concert" And then, of course, there were filmings in the ballet films “Swan Lake” and “The Tale of the Little Humpbacked Horse.” Prima of the Bolshoi Theater was invited to the film-opera “Khovanshchina”. She took an active part in the television adaptation of the ballets Bolero and Isadora, The Seagull and The Lady with the Dog. In 1974, Maya Plisetskaya and Bolshoi Theater soloist Alexander Bogatyrev starred for television in the number “Nocturne” to the music of F. Chopin, from the ballet “In the Night” by the outstanding American choreographer Jerome Robbins.
In the very famous film adaptation of Leo Tolstoy's novel Anna Karenina directed by Alexander Zarkhi in 1967, Maya Plisetskaya played the role of Betsy. Then Maya Plisetskaya starred as singer Desiree in the film “Tchaikovsky” directed by Igor Talankin. In 1976, director Anatoly Efros invited the ballet star to the television film “Fantasy” based on Ivan Turgenev’s story “Spring Waters”. The ballerina brilliantly played the role of Polozova. The action of the film was “commented” by choreographic duets staged by choreographer Valentin Elizariev. And director Jonas Vaitkus in 1985 invited her to his film “Zodiac”, where Maya Mikhailovna played the muse of Mikalojus-Konstantinas Čiurlionis. In addition, the Bolshoi Theater prima starred in many documentaries.
Galina Ulanova
And, of course, one cannot even remember the “goddess of dance” Galina Ulanova. Until now, the phenomenon of the ballerina's talent remains a mystery. She received almost all the awards that existed in the USSR, as well as awards from other countries. Among the unofficial awards are various titles that critics and viewers awarded her:
“the soul of Russian ballet”, “an ordinary goddess”. And composer Sergei Sergeevich Prokofiev called Galina Sergeevna “the genius of Russian ballet, his elusive soul and his inspired poetry.” In her dance there was always reticence, understatement, detachment and self-absorption. Ulanova was the same in life - she rarely appeared in public and kept to herself.
After finishing her ballet career, she began working as a teacher. IN different years she studied with such famous dancers as Ekaterina Maksimova and Vladimir Vasiliev, Lyudmila Semenyaka, Nikolai Tsiskaridze and many others. During her career, she starred in six films, most of which were documentary in nature: “Ballet Soloist”, “Masters of the Russian Ballet”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “Giselle” and documentaries.