PREVIEW

Renowned Russian Ballet Choreographer Yuri Grigorovich Dies at 98. Yuri Grigorovich, one of the 20th century’s greatest ballet choreographers, has passed away at the age of 98. Grigorovich was the artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet from 1964 to 1995, where he transformed Soviet ballet with his revolutionary productions. His iconic works such as Stone Flower, Ivan the Terrible, and Romeo and Juliet reshaped the landscape of Soviet ballet. Known for revitalizing male ballet, Grigorovich created roles that required exceptional strength and artistry, elevating the male dancer’s role. Born in 1927, Grigorovich's ballet career was deeply rooted in the classical traditions, with his uncle, Georgy Rozai, studying under Vaslav Nijinsky. After his departure from the Bolshoi in 1995 following disputes, the theatre witnessed its first-ever dancers’ strike, marking a historic moment. Following the fall of the Soviet Union, Grigorovich founded a new ballet company in Krasnodar before returning to the Bolshoi in 2008 as a choreographer. Throughout his career, Grigorovich received numerous honors, including the titles People’s Artist of the USSR and Hero of Socialist Labour. His passing coincides with the death of his celebrated collaborator, dancer Yuri Vladimirov, aged 83, marking a poignant moment in ballet history.
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