If there is one person who defined Russian dance and classical ballet in the 20th century, it is Yuri Grigorovich. Born in 1927 in Leningrad, ten years after the October Revolution and just three years after Lenin’s death, this relentless dancer and choreographer was the descendant of Russian Admiral Alfred Rozay and the nephew of Mariinsky dancer Georgy Rozai. He studied ballet and graduated in 1946 from the Leningrad Ballet School, having been mentored alongside the legendary Alexander Pushkin. He began as a soloist at the Kirov Theatre (later renamed Mariinsky), where he presented his first choreographies: ‘The Stone Flower’ and ‘The Tale of Love.’ He retired from the stage in 1962.
Although his early major productions established him as a fresh and dynamic presence at Kirov, they also brought him into conflict with artistic director Konstantin Sergeyev. At the age of 37, he moved to Moscow, where his dominance in choreography lasted for three decades. He created iconic works such as ‘Spartacus’ (1968), ‘Ivan the Terrible’ (1975), ‘Angara’ (1976), ‘Romeo and Juliet’ (1979), and ‘The Golden Age’ (1982). He also reinterpreted classics like ‘The Sleeping Beauty’ (1963), ‘The Nutcracker’ (1966), ‘Swan Lake’ (1969 – later revised), ‘La Bayadère’ (1991), and ‘Don Quixote’ (1994).
Grigorovich managed to maintain his independence in an entirely controlled cultural landscape. He never joined the Communist Party and often clashed with authorities, such as when changes were imposed on the finale of ‘Swan Lake.’ His relationship with strict Culture Minister Ekaterina Furtseva was strained; she forced him to alter the ending of ‘Swan Lake’ in 1969 to depict a union between Odette and Siegfried, despite the music leading to a tragic climax. It wasn’t until 2001 that he restored the work to its original form.
His original creations are a unique legacy. His authority as an artistic director was decisive and controversial. Critics claim he promoted his second wife, Natalia Bessmertnova, over others like the brilliant Maya Plisetskaya. However, no one can deny that many top Soviet-era dancers passed through his hands, including Irek Mukhamedov, who won the International Ballet Competition in Moscow, joined the Bolshoi, and memorably portrayed roles in ‘Spartacus’ and ‘Ivan the Terrible.’