Sankovskaya, Yekaterina (c. 1816–1878)

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Sankovskaya, Yekaterina (c. 1816–1878)

Russian ballet dancer. Name variations: Ekaterina or Ykaterina Alexandrovna Sankovskaya. Born c. 1816 in Moscow, Russia; died 1878 in Moscow.

Performed at Bolshoi Ballet in Moscow for most of her professional career (1836–54); danced principal roles in numerous French repertory works, among them La Sylphide, Giselle, Esmeralda, and La Fille du Danube; called the soul of Moscow ballet, was acclaimed for her dramatic portrayals; on retiring, taught ballroom dancing.