Maya Plisetskaya

Maya Plisetskaya was the fiery, iconic prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Ballet for decades, renowned for her explosive technique, dramatic intensity, and breathtaking athleticism. Her career, spanning from the 1940s into the 1990s, was a testament to her powerful will and resilience within the Soviet system. Plisetskaya possessed a unique combination of steel-like technical command—with famously high, powerful jumps and relentless turns—and a panther-like sensuality on stage. She was the definitive interpreter of fiery, dramatic roles like Kitri in 'Don Quixote' and Odile in 'Swan Lake,' but also thrived in modern works created for her, most notably Alberto Alonso's 'Carmen Suite,' where her fierce, tragic portrayal became legendary.

Her iconic 'Dying Swan,' performed with convulsive, desperate energy, was a stark contrast to Pavlova's poetic version. Plisetskaya's artistry was one of grand scale and passionate abandon, a dramatic force of nature that could dominate the vast stage of the Bolshoi Theatre and leave audiences awestruck. She represented the pinnacle of the powerful, virtuosic Soviet style.