by Lilliana Miller | Oct 9, 2025 | Career, TBT
Vera Zorina (1917–2003) is more widely recognized for her career in Hollywood movies and musical theater than on the ballet stage. In 1938, she made her film debut in The Goldwyn Follies, dancing its “Water Nymph Ballet” to choreography by her future first husband,...
by Julia Rosica | Aug 26, 2020 | TBT
Among her storied gifts, Maya Plisetskaya, former prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Ballet, was renowned for her ability to imbue classical choreography with rich layers of meaning. In this 1963 clip of Aurora’s Act I variation from The Sleeping Beauty,...
by Julia Rosica | Apr 29, 2020 | TBT
In this 2006 clip of Myrtha’s entrance in Giselle, former Paris Opéra Ballet étoile Marie-Agnès Gillot gives an other-worldly performance that is chilling, ethereal and technically sublime. Her footwork throughout the solo is mesmerizing, and it receives full...
by Julia Rosica | Nov 15, 2017 | Profiles, TBT
https://youtube.com/watch?v=NUug8wDChYs At just 16 years old, the Bolshoi Ballet’s Maria Alexandrova already had the makings of a great artist. In this variation from Coppélia, she portrays the carefree Swanilda with blithe, youthful ease....
by Julia Rosica | Oct 18, 2017 | Profiles, TBT
When Maya Plisetskaya first toured abroad with the Bolshoi Ballet, she stunned the world. Her dramatic and technical abilities were far beyond what anyone outside the Soviet Union had seen before. She quickly became an icon, symbolizing Russian ballet. Plisetskaya was...
by Julia Rosica | Sep 20, 2017 | Profiles, TBT
The tambourine variation from La Esmeralda is a competition favorite, but the full pas de deux isn’t seen as often. That’s a shame, because it contains some of the most technically challenging classical choreography to be found. In this video, Yuan Yuan...
by Julia Rosica | Aug 16, 2017 | Profiles, TBT
Sir Frederick Ashton first choreographed the Voices of Spring pas de deux on Royal Ballet stars Merle Park and Wayne Eagling in 1977 for a ball scene in Johann Strauss II’s operetta Die Fledermaus. The lively duet is a favorite in galas and mixed bills these...
by Caroline Hamilton | Aug 9, 2017 | Profiles
Over the years, many companies have premiered works or made their U.S. debut at the Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, and some of the world’s most famous ballet dancers have performed there. This week I will give some more insights from the Pillow’s...