Photo: Jack de Nijs for Anefo · License: CC BY-SA 3.0 nl · Source: Wikimedia Commons
4 Signature Roles2 Principal Houses
Spotlight
Career Trajectory
Ulanova emerged from the Vaganova school in 1928 as a technically accomplished dancer, but her artistry deepened dramatically after joining the Bolshoi Ballet in 1944, where she became the definitive interpreter of the Soviet dramatic ballet repertoire. Her performances in *The Fountain of Bakhchisaray*, *Romeo and Juliet*, and *Swan Lake* transcended technical virtuosity to achieve profound emotional authenticity, making her the first Prima Ballerina Assoluta of the Soviet Union and a transformative figure in twentieth-century dance. Her Western tours in the 1950s established her as a global cultural icon whose influence on ballet's expressive possibilities remains undiminished.
Career Highlight
Named the first Prima Ballerina Assoluta of the Soviet Union; her 1956 London performances were hailed as 'the greatest triumph of any individual dancer since Anna Pavlova'; awarded the Lenin Prize (1957) and the Stalin Prize four times (1941, 1946, 1947, 1950)
At a Glance
- Voice
- Principal Dancer
- Nationality
- Russia
- Born
- 1910 · Saint Petersburg, Russia
- Active since
- 1957
Training & Education
Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet
Principal Houses
Engagements
Verified past & upcoming performances
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Career Arc
A chronological journey through key moments
1910Born in Saint Petersburg, Russia
1957Named the first Prima Ballerina Assoluta of the Soviet Union; her 1956 London performances were hailed as 'the greatest triumph of any individual dancer since Anna Pavlova'; awarded the Lenin Prize (1957) and the Stalin Prize four times (1941, 1946, 1947, 1950)
1998Died in Moscow, Russia
Available Performances
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