Galina Ulánova was a Russian ballerina who gained acclaim as one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20th century. She trained early, with elite figures in the Soviet ballet world, ultimately turning as legendary as Russian ballet veteran Anna Pavlova. She was a talented actor and dancer. Joseph Stalin himself transferred her to the historic 'Bolshoi Theatre' in Moscow, where she remained for 16 years. Ulánova toured all over Europe later in her career and received particular fanfare in the UK. At this time, there were rumors of her relationship with Prince Philip. Of late, there has been a resurgence of interest in these allegations, following the success of the 'Netflix' drama 'The Crown.' Throughout her incredibly long and successful career, Ulánova showcased her brilliance in ballet and was instrumental in cementing Russian ballet's reputation as the greatest in the world. After retiring from the stage, she continued teaching ballet to the next generation of Russian greats, gathering accolades in the process. Ulánova died at 88 and continues to be revered as an immensely gifted artist.

Childhood & Early Life

Galina Sergéyevna Ulánova was born on January 8, 1910, in Saint Petersburg. Her parents were both employed at the 'Imperial Russian Ballet,' where her father, Sergei Ulanov, was a regisseur, and her mother, Maria Romanova was a dancer and teacher.

Ulánova was originally resistant to a career in dance but changed her mind after living through the Soviet Revolution at a young age. She was taught by her mother before being admitted to Agrippina Vaganova's famous dance school as a boarder. Since her parents toured frequently, she spent a lot of time at this institute, enduring the cold weather, hunger, and the institute's rigorous training.

Career

She completed her ballet training and joined the 'Mariinsky Theatre,' also known as the 'Kirov Theatre,' in 1928. The same year, she notably performed the "pas de deux" in 'Chopiniana' and 'The Nutcracker.' She was also cast as 'Princess Florina' in 'The Sleeping Beauty'.

In 1930, she performed as 'Odette/Odile' in 'Mariinsky's 'Swan Lake,' under Vaganova's guidance. These performances were appreciated by critics.

In 1932, Ulánova began working on her first performance in the famous French ballet, 'Giselle'. Vaganova had initially suggested that she play the secondary role of 'Myrtha,' the queen of the Wilis. However, Yelena Liukom, the first "prima-ballerina" of Soviet ballet insisted that Ulánova play the titular character, 'Giselle.'

The same year, Leonid Lavrovsky replaced her friend and mentor Fyodor Lopukhov as the artistic director of the 'Mariinsky.' Soon, Ulánova was able to establish an intimate work relationship with Lavrovsky, which served her well during her frequent conflicts with Vaganova, who allegedly preferred other students).

Between 1933 and 1936, she appeared in several productions, such as 'The Nutcracker', 'Swan Lake,' and 'Esmeralda.' Her most notable role during this period was the tragic lead role of 'Maria' in 'Rostislav Zakharov's production of 'The Fountain of Bakhchisarai' (based on Alexander Pushkin's poem).

In the next two years, Ulánova cemented her reputation as the 'Mariinsky's leading talent, playing the lead role in Vasili Vainonen's 'Raymonda'.

As a staunch patriot during the war with Germany, she spent much of her time dancing for the troops and politicians. She also performed at the 'Bolshoi' during this time and received many awards for her work.

She was transferred full-time to the Bolshoi in 1944 (reportedly, at the personal request of Stalin) where she debuted as "prima-ballerina," along with an ensemble cast that included some of the nation's best performers. She performed again as 'Giselle' in Lavrovsky's production later that year and won the 'Stalin Prize' and other accolades for her efforts. Ulánova would remain the 'Bolshoi's "prima ballerina assoluta" for the next 16 years.

In 1946, Lavrovsky's 'Romeo and Juliet' (with music by Sergei Prokofiev) debuted to much acclaim. It was later called a "masterpiece" and her "greatest triumph." Her performance as 'Juliet' won Ulánova another 'Stalin Prize.' She also played the lead role in 'Prokofiev's 'Cinderella' around this period.

She continued to work with Lavrovsky and Zakharov in the following years, becoming so famous that the company began to tour Russia in 1948. The following year, she began traveling internationally with the 'Bolshoi', visiting Hungary and Czechoslovakia in 1949 and Italy in 1950. She even completed an unusual tour of China in 1950, to unprecedented praise.By 1954, the 'Bolshoi' was so much in demand that the Cold War-era prohibitions were forgotten, and an enthusiastic global press greeted Ulánova's performances in East Berlin.In 1956, she was finally able to tour the UK. Despite slight diplomatic hiccups, she performed at London's 'Covent Garden.' She was so popular that people lined the streets overnight to get tickets for her show. The entire season was sold out before the first performance. These performances in London were extremely well-received, with members of the royal family attending a few shows.She continued to tour the world for the rest of the decade, performing in Paris, Brussels, and Hamburg in 1958; the US, Canada, and China in 1959; and Egypt and Hungary in 1961, before retiring from the stage.Ulánova became a teacher in her later years, grooming the next generation of ballet talents. She also became the president of the jury at the 'Varna International Competition' between the 1960s and the 1970s.

Ballerina

From the very first performances of Galina Ulanova has attracted the attention of viewers and critics. A year later she first dances the leading role: it was Odette-Odile in «Swan lake». Pretty soon the girl becoming a ballerina, and her duet with Konstantin Sergeyev, thundered throughout the world in 30-40 years, is still considered exemplary. In the «Mariinsky theatre» Galina worked until 1944. She danced principal roles in such productions as «Giselle», «Nutcracker», «the fountain of Bakhchisarai» and many others. But the main achievement of the ballerina in that period is the image of Juliet in Prokofiev's «Romeo and Juliet», which she created in 1940-m to year. Experts ballet throughout the world still refer to the performance benchmark.

During the great Patriotic war and Leningrad blockade of Ulanova as a dancer performed in front of wounded in hospitals Perm, Alma-ATA, Yekaterinburg. In Kazakhstan she danced on the stage of the Almaty state academic Opera and ballet theatre, and in 1943 received the title of people's artist of the Kazakh SSR. A year later, the star of the ballet moves in Moscow's Bolshoi theatre. For this reason Galina Ulanova later said she never would have left his native Leningrad scene, but this decision was based on the «top» of the Central Committee. In fact, the choice was simple: either the ballerina is dancing on the main stage of the country, or not dancing at all.

However, at the Bolshoi theatre talent Galina began to sparkle with new colors. Performances with her participation became the gems of the theatrical repertoire, and the mad scene of Giselle in the eponymous ballet was recognized as the peak of tragic dance. And that's with the Bolshoi theatre Galina Ulanova made her first trip on an overseas tour. In the hall of the Vienna Opera house she received a standing ovation, and in London, the actress and all had unprecedented triumph. British journalists the next day wrote that this success had not a ballerina since the legendary Anna Pavlova. Moreover, it should be noted that Ulanova at the time was already 46 years old.

Four years later the actress last appeared on stage. She introduced viewers to the ballet «Les Sylphides», and then retired ballerina. But from the Bolshoi theatre, the woman left. For the rest of his life Galina remained there at the post of ballet master-tutor. Among her students were such stars of the Russian ballet, Nikolai Tsiskaridze, Nina Semizorova Irina Prokofiev and dozens of other artists who have received public recognition. Also Galina Ulanova worked with soloists of the Paris, Hamburg, Sydney, Tokyo and Stockholm ballet.

In addition, the legendary ballerina as Chairman of the jury judged International competitions, and not only in Moscow but also in Varna, Bulgaria. By the way, at one of these festivals she praised the performance of another future masters of the Soviet scene — Marisa Liepa.

Personal Life

Ulánova was remarkably private about her personal life. She reportedly married several times. Among her husbands were noted actor and director Yuri Zavadsky and designer Vadim Rindin. Toward the end of her life, she had a female companion to attend to her needs.She died on March 21, 1998, in Moscow. Her apartment has now become a memorial museum.

Trivia

Ulánova once recollected that her happiest hours during her tough childhood were those spent at Lake Selagare, where she went sailing with a companion, Tatiana Vecheslova.As a teenager, she was reportedly boisterous, preferring to play male roles. Robust, with slender ankles, hers was not the ideal body type for ballet.Although she did not discuss politics much, she was loyal to the Soviet Union. When she landed in London in 1956, she refused to get out of the plane without permission from the Russian state.She was reputedly aloof and could not be easily approached without an official permit from the KGB.

Family members:

Spouse/Ex-: Yuri Zavadsky

Father: Sergei Nikolaevich Ulanov

Mother: Maria Feodorovna Romanova