Galina Ulanova

Galina Ulanova , 1910-98, Russian ballerina, b. St. Petersburg. Ulanova made her debut at the Kirov Ballet (1928), where she danced until 1944. That year she became prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow, with which she first appeared in 1935, and she received numerous awards from the Soviet government. Noted for her lyric grace and beauty and the emotionalism of her superb acting, she excelled especially in Swan Lake and Giselle and in Lavrovski's version of Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet (1940), in which she created the role of Juliet. First appearing abroad in 1951, she was lauded as one of the greatest ballerinas since Pavlova . After her official retirement in 1962 she continued to teach at the Bolshoi.

Bibliography: See A. E. Kahn, Days with Ulanova (1962).

Ulanova, Galina (1910–98) Russian ballerina. In 1944, she became the prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Ballet. Her skill in lyrical-dramatic interpretation and the purity and lightness of her classical style earned her international recognition. Her major roles include Lavrovsky's productions of The Red Poppy, Giselle, and Romeo and Juliet. In 1962, Ulanova retired and became a coach for the new generation of Bolshoi ballerinas