Renowned Russian ballet master Yuri Grigorovich, celebrated as one of the most influential choreographers of the 20th century, has passed away at the age of 98. The Bolshoi Theatre, where he served as artistic director for over three decades, confirmed his death on Monday.
Grigorovich, who led the Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow from 1964 to 1995, was behind some of its most iconic productions including Spartacus, Ivan the Terrible, and Romeo and Juliet. His work shaped the Bolshoi’s global reputation for excellence in ballet and helped elevate Soviet ballet onto the world stage.
Valery Gergiev, director of both the Bolshoi and Mariinsky theatres, described Grigorovich as “a legendary figure who will continue to command respect and admiration for decades to come.”
In a heartfelt statement, the Bolshoi Theatre said it would “faithfully cherish his memory and protect his priceless legacy.”
Born in 1927, Grigorovich began his artistic journey as a soloist with the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) before turning to choreography. His bold and dramatic storytelling style became a hallmark of Soviet-era ballet and garnered him numerous accolades including the titles of People’s Artist of the USSR and Hero of Socialist Labour—two of the highest honors awarded in the Soviet Union.
Grigorovich’s tenure at the Bolshoi was marked by international acclaim, but also by challenges, particularly after the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991. As the company grappled with financial instability and internal disputes, Grigorovich eventually resigned in 1995 following a bitter conflict over performers’ contracts. His resignation sparked the first-ever dancers’ strike in the Bolshoi’s storied history.
Despite the setback, Grigorovich remained active in the ballet world, founding a new company in Krasnodar. In 2008, he returned to the Bolshoi to resume work as a choreographer and ballet master, further cementing his legacy.
In 2017, the Bolshoi honoured his 90th birthday with two months of special performances, celebrating a career that left an indelible mark on the world of ballet.
By a poignant coincidence, news of Grigorovich’s death came on the same day as the passing of one of his most beloved dancers, Yuri Vladimirov, who died at the age of 83.
Sources By Agencies
