Natalia Makarova

Natalia Makarova
Name	Natalia Makarova
Caption	Makarova in 1975
Birth date	21 November 1940
Birth place	Leningrad, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Occupation	Prima ballerina, choreographer
Spouse	Edward Karkar, Mikhail Baryshnikov (divorced)
Years active	1959–present
Awards	Tony Award, Drama Desk Award, Kennedy Center Honors

Natalia Makarova is a legendary prima ballerina and choreographer, celebrated as one of the greatest classical dancers of the 20th century. A former star of the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad, she defected to the West in 1970, embarking on a triumphant international career with companies including American Ballet Theatre and The Royal Ballet. Renowned for her profound artistry, dramatic intensity, and technical perfection, she has left an indelible mark on the world of ballet through her iconic performances and staging of classic works.

Early life and training

Born in Leningrad during the Second World War, Natalia Makarova was raised in challenging post-war conditions. She entered the famed Vaganova Choreographic School at age twelve, where she studied under the distinguished pedagogue Evgenia Sokolova. Her training was deeply rooted in the rigorous traditions of the Russian ballet school, which emphasized purity of line, expressive port de bras, and dramatic interpretation. This formative period at the institution that also produced Anna Pavlova and Galina Ulanova provided the impeccable technical foundation for which she would later become world-renowned.

Career with the Kirov Ballet

Upon graduation in 1959, Makarova was immediately accepted into the Kirov Ballet, the prestigious company of the Mariinsky Theatre. She quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a soloist and performing leading roles in the company's core classical ballet repertoire. Her celebrated interpretations included Giselle, Odette-Odile in Swan Lake, and the title role in La Bayadère. During this period, she worked with renowned choreographers like Konstantin Sergeyev and established herself as a peer to contemporaries such as Mikhail Baryshnikov and Rudolf Nureyev, who had defected earlier.

Defection and international career

While on tour in London with the Kirov Ballet in 1970, Makarova made the momentous decision to defect from the Soviet Union, seeking artistic freedom. Her defection sent shockwaves through the dance world and she was swiftly engaged as a principal dancer with American Ballet Theatre in New York City. She also became a frequent guest artist with The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House, forming legendary partnerships with dancers including Anthony Dowell and Mikhail Baryshnikov. Her presence significantly elevated the profile of Western companies and inspired a new generation of dancers.

Major roles and artistic style

Makarova was acclaimed for her portrayals in the great romantic ballet classics, particularly her hauntingly tragic Giselle and spiritually refined Odette in Swan Lake. She also excelled in modern works, creating roles in ballets by Kenneth MacMillan and Jerome Robbins. Her artistic style was defined by a unique synthesis of flawless Kirov Ballet technique with profound emotional vulnerability and theatrical intelligence. This combination, along with her exquisite line and fluidity, made her performances in works like Marius Petipa's La Bayadère and August Bournonville's La Sylphide definitive benchmarks.

Later career and legacy

In the 1980s, Makarova began a second career as a choreographer and producer, most famously staging a complete version of Marius Petipa's La Bayadère for American Ballet Theatre in 1980, which restored the work's full "Kingdom of the Shades" scene and became a standard production worldwide. She received a Tony Award for her performance in the Broadway musical *On Your Toes*. Honored with the Kennedy Center Honors in 2012, her legacy endures through her influential productions, her mentoring of dancers, and her permanent influence on the interpretation of the classical repertoire.

Personal life

Makarova has been married twice, first to fellow dancer Edward Karkar, and later, briefly, to Mikhail Baryshnikov; both marriages ended in divorce. She has one son. Since the 1990s, she has lived primarily in London and has occasionally returned to perform in Russia following the dissolution of the Soviet Union, including celebrated appearances at the Mariinsky Theatre. She remains an active and respected figure in the international dance community.

Category:Russian ballet dancers Category:Prima ballerinas Category:Soviet defectors Category:1940 births Category:Living people