2 3 Throwback Thursday and Galina Ulanova | Ballet Webb

Thursday, August 6, 2015

Throwback Thursday and Galina Ulanova


Throwback Thursday and Galina Ulanova

Galina Ulanova was born in St. Petersburg, Russia, the day after Christmas in 1909. The daughter of two dancers, Sergey Ulanov and Marie Romanova, Galina grew up to become the first Prima Ballerina Assoluta of the Soviet Union.

She received her training at the Leningrad State School of Choreography, studying under the famous Agrippina Vaganova. Upon graduation in 1928, she joined the Kirov Theater, and rapidly became known for her dramatic abilities in ballets such as Giselle and Romeo and Juliet.

Galina was transferred to the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow in 1944 where she achieved great success during their tours. She made her American debut in 1959, and also danced in films – serving to increase a worldwide interest in ballet.

Galina Ulanova was known as a great lyrical, dramatic dancer in the tradition of Anna Pavlova. She recieived many awards such as the Anna Pavlova Prize of the Paris Academy of Dancing in 1958; and  the Oscar Parcelli Prize “Life for the Sake of Dancing” in 1988. A statue of Ulanova by sculptor e.A. Yanson-Manizer can be seen in Stockholm; and a bronze bust of her by sculptor M.K. Anikushin is in St. Petersburg.

Galina retired from the stage in 1960, and began coaching young dancers such as the ballerina Yekaterina Maksimova.  She also served as ballet mistress of the Bolshoi Theatre.

Galina Ulanova died on March 21, 1998


From the Big Blue Book of Ballet Secrets:

Dance History Factoid #80:  
Galina Ulanova was a Russian ballerina renowned for her dramatic ability.

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