Who was Yuri Grigorovich?
Renowned ballet choreographer Yuri Grigorovich has passed away at the age of 98. He was celebrated around the world for his lasting impact on classical ballet. He was known for shaping Soviet and Russian ballet for over 50 years.
What was he known for?
- From 1964 to 1995, he led the Bolshoi Ballet as its artistic director, shaping the company’s artistic vision for over three decades
- Grigorovich was known for creating iconic productions such as The Stone Flower, Ivan the Terrible, and Romeo and Juliet.
- He gave male dancers powerful roles, which made ballet even more exciting and strong.
- He brought new energy to classic Russian ballet.
His early life
- Born in 1927, just 10 years after the Russian Revolution.
- He trained in Leningrad and became a soloist with the Kirov Ballet.
- Grigorovich's uncle was a student of Vaslav Nijinsky, the legendary ballet dancer known for revolutionizing modern ballet.
Why did he leave the Bolshoi?
Grigorovich stepped down from the Bolshoi Ballet in 1995 after disputes over dancer contracts. His departure led to the first strike in the theater’s 200-year history. The conflict was so intense that a dancer had to inform the audience that the performance was canceled.
What did he do after?
Following the fall of the Soviet Union, Grigorovich relocated to Krasnodar, where he founded a new ballet company. In 2008, he made a return to the Bolshoi, taking on the role of choreographer and ballet master.
Awards and honors
He won top awards in both the Soviet Union and Russia, including:
- People’s Artist of the USSR
- Hero of Socialist Labour
Personal life
Grigorovich was married to renowned ballerina Natalia Bessmertnova, who passed away in 2008.
A sad coincidence
Grigorovich passed away on the same day as his longtime collaborator, dancer Yuri Vladimirov, who was 83 years old.
What others say
Valery Gergiev, head of the Bolshoi and Mariinsky theatres, said Grigorovich was a legend who will be remembered for many years to come.
Source: bbc
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