Natalia Makarova

Natalia Makarova is a Russian-born ballet dancer and choreographer who rose to prominence with the Kirov Ballet before becoming an international star with American Ballet Theatre.

American Ballet Theatre: An American ballet company founded in 1939 and based in New York City. Makarova became one of the company’s leading dancers after leaving the Soviet Union.
Giselle: A Romantic ballet about a young woman who dies after discovering her lover’s betrayal. Makarova’s portrayal of Giselle became one of her most celebrated roles.
Leningrad Choreographic School: A leading Russian ballet school in Saint Petersburg, now called the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet. Makarova received her professional ballet training there.
Soviet defector: A person who left the Soviet Union without authorization to settle elsewhere. Makarova defected while touring in London in 1970, reshaping her professional life.
Kirov Ballet: The historic Saint Petersburg ballet company now known as the Mariinsky Ballet. Makarova trained and became a principal dancer with this company.
La Bayadère: A classical ballet by Marius Petipa about love, betrayal, and the spirit world in India. Makarova staged and danced in this repertory landmark, helping restore it for Western audiences.
Vaganova method: A Russian ballet training system combining elements of French, Italian, and Russian traditions. Its disciplined technique formed part of Makarova’s classical foundation.
Ballet in the United States: The performance and institutional tradition of ballet in the United States. Makarova’s success helped bring Russian-trained artistry to a major American company.
Mikhail Baryshnikov: A Soviet-born ballet dancer and choreographer who became a major star in the West. Makarova and Baryshnikov both defected from Soviet ballet and joined American Ballet Theatre.
Swan Lake: A ballet about a prince and a woman transformed into a swan by a curse. Odette and Odile demanded the contrasting lyrical and virtuoso qualities central to Makarova’s repertory.

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The Dying SwanRelated: Her performances show how the role traveled across ballet companies and styles.