Watch as Diana Vishneva Prepares for Her Final Performance With American Ballet Theatre

June 22, 2017

Last fall, Diana Vishneva shocked her NYC following when she announced that she would give her final performance with American Ballet Theatre on June 23, 2017. The Russian-born dancer has been part of ABT since performing in Romeo and Juliet as a guest artist in 2003, and has held the title of principal dancer with the company since 2005 in addition to her principal role with the Mariinksy Ballet. Throughout her time with ABT, which she spoke about in the below video for The New Yorker, Vishneva has danced as a guest artist with Bolshoi Ballet, Paris Opera Ballet and Berlin State Ballet.

As she prepares for her last show, dancing the role of Tatiana in Onegin with her longtime partner Marcelo Gomes, Vishneva spoke with The New York Times about her post-ABT plans. “My generation has already left, and at some point, you understand that this might be the time where you have to start a new page of your life,” Vishneva told The New York Times. “I love it here, but it’s time-consuming and energy-drawing, so I decided at this point, when time is not waiting, I’d rather spend it on new projects.”

Though she’ll be leaving ABT, 40-year-old Vishneva’s “new projects” mean she’ll still be part of the dance world. Not only does she plan to continue dancing with the Mariinsky Ballet, Vishneva will also open her own studio this August in St. Petersburg, where The New York Times reports she’ll offer classical ballet training as well as yoga and gymnastics for professionals and nonprofessionals.

Additionally, Vishneva plans to continue growing Context, the dance festival she founded in 2013. Held annually in Russia, the contemporary dance-based festival features performances from companies around the world, as well as works by both established and emerging choreographers.

We’ll also be crossing our fingers that Vishneva pops back up at ABT for a guest performance (or two!) alongside Gomes.