Acclaimed Russian ballet choreographer Yuri Grigorovich has passed away at the age of 98, a loss mourned by the global dance community. Recognized as one of the foremost choreographers of the 20th century, Grigorovich's tenure as artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet spanned from 1964 to 1995. His authoritative leadership style earned him a reputation as a dominant force in the world of ballet, reshaping the Soviet ballet landscape.
Born in 1927, just ten years after the Bolshevik Revolution, Grigorovich's creative journey was steeped in classical ballet traditions. He initially trained as a dancer, performing as a soloist with the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad before shifting his focus to choreography. His celebrated works, including "The Stone Flower," "Ivan the Terrible," and "Romeo and Juliet," are noted for their innovative portrayals of male dancers, requiring extraordinary strength and skill.
Grigorovich's departure from the Bolshoi in 1995 instigated an unprecedented dancer's strike during a performance when an abrupted cancelation announcement stunned the audience into silence. Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, a period of instability at the Bolshoi led him to establish a new ballet company in Krasnodar before returning as a choreographer in 2008.
Throughout his illustrious career, Grigorovich garnered numerous accolades, including the prestigious titles of People's Artist of the USSR and Hero of Socialist Labour. He was married to renowned ballerina Natalia Bessmertnova, who passed away in 2008. On the day of his death, one of his cherished collaborators, dancer Yuri Vladimirov, also passed away at the age of 83. Valery Gergiev, the head of the Bolshoi and Mariinsky theatres, praised Grigorovich as a "legendary figure" whose influence will resonate for generations to come.
