Legacy of Russian Ballet: Choreographer Yuri Grigorovich Passes Away at 98

Fri Jul 18 2025 12:43:32 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)
Legacy of Russian Ballet: Choreographer Yuri Grigorovich Passes Away at 98

Celebrated figure in ballet, Grigorovich's revolutionary work transformed the genre.


Grigorovich's influence as a choreographer redefined Soviet ballet, creating a legacy of strength, artistry, and profound emotional depth.

Yuri Grigorovich, renowned Russian choreographer and artistic director of the Bolshoi Ballet for over three decades, has passed away at the age of 98. Hailing from an era shaped by transformative Soviet history, Grigorovich is hailed as one of the key figures in 20th-century ballet. His tenure at the Bolshoi, which lasted from 1964 to 1995, was marked by a firm leadership style and innovative choreography that changed the landscape of Russian ballet.

Among his hallmark pieces are "Ivan the Terrible," "Romeo and Juliet," and "The Stone Flower," all known for their intricate storytelling and redefined male roles in ballet, characterized by strength and technical demands. Grigorovich was deeply influenced by the classical ballet traditions, shaped by his upbringing and early training as a soloist at the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad, where he also explored choreography.

His departure from the Bolshoi in 1995 instigated a significant event in ballet history, with the first dancers’ strike in the theater’s long existence, highlighting tensions over performance contracts. Grigorovich's work on "The Stone Flower," complemented by folkloric themes and music by Sergei Prokofiev, remains one of his most celebrated contributions.

Following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, challenges at the Bolshoi necessitated a new venture, and he went on to establish a ballet company in Krasnodar. After a period of absence, he returned to the Bolshoi in 2008, continuing to influence the art form as a choreographer and ballet master until recent times.

His formidable talent earned him prestigious accolades, including the title of People's Artist of the USSR and Hero of Socialist Labour. The ballet world mourns as Grigorovich passed away on the same day as celebrated dancer Yuri Vladimirov, reflecting the end of an era. Valery Gergiev from the Bolshoi remarked on Grigorovich's legendary status, promising his legacy will endure in the hearts of admirers for years to come.

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