Yuri Nikolayevich Grigorovich

The ballet world mourns Yuri Nikolayevich Grigorovich, the most important Russian ballet choreographer.

Born on 2 January 1927 in Leningrad, he trained at the Leningrad Choreographic School. He began his career as a dancer with the Kirov Ballet before devoting himself to choreography. He will be remembered above all for his long and influential work as chief choreographer of the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow.

Choreographic masterpieces: his dramatic, large-scale ballets, including “Spartacus” and “The Stone Flower”. He reinterpreted classical works such as “Swan Lake” and “The Nutcracker”. His choreographies, often drawing on classical Russian themes and literature, were distinguished by strong narratives and intense emotion.

As chief choreographer of the Bolshoi Ballet he shaped the image and repertoire of the Moscow company. His work, his influence and his masterly preservation of classical ballet will endure.

ÖTR / ADC
Österreichischer Tanzrat · Austrian Dance Council