Yuri Grigorovic: Bolshoi’s « King » died
One of the most emblematic figures of modern classic ballet and the man who had linked his name to the famous Bolshoi ballet, passed away. As it became known, Yuri Grigorovic left his last breath at the age of 98.
Born in Leningrad (today’s St. Petersburg) in 1927, he saw his choreographies travel around the world, winning both himself and his work millions of fans. He is considered the man who in his style shaped the Russian ballet and one of the greatest dance teachers.
Who was Yuri Grigorovic
Yuri Grigorovic graduated from the Leningrad School of Leningrad in 1946 and will be the first dancer in the famous Ballet Kirov for the next 18 years. At the same time he showed his potential as a choreographer, through productions such as The Stone Flower the Legend of Love.
In his 39 years he will come the big step in his career, where he will transform him into a legend of modern classic dance: he will take over the position of artistic director in the famous Bolshoi ballet and conquer the world.
Mostislav Rostropovic, George Balansin and Yuri Grigorovic in New York in 1972 (Source: Wikimedia Commons)
The Nutcracker, Spartacus, Ivan the Terrible. Roman and Juliet are some of the productions of Bolsheviors who will be named after his name and leave their mark. Like, of course, the « Grigorovic version » of the famous work, the Swan Lake, with the legendary choreographer giving a happy end to the show.
He will remain in this position until 1995, before making the decision to leave and work with various other well -known Russian ballets – before he founded his own.
At the same time, Yuri Grigorovic was a member of the jury in various international classical ballet competitions, and has been honored with dozens of awards for his work.
