MadameP Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 I saw today on the Russian side of the Mariinsky website the following announcement. Ульяна Лопаткина сообщила о завершении танцевальной карьеры Мариинский театр официально объявляет поклонникам таланта прима-балерины театра Ульяны Лопаткиной, что она сообщила о завершении своей танцевальной карьеры. Here is the google translation: Ulyana Lopatkina announced the completion of the dance career The Mariinsky Theater officially announces to the fans of the talent of the prima ballerina of the Ulyana Lopatkina Theater that she announced the completion of her dance career. This is very sad news for me and for all her millions of fans worldwide, everyone who ever saw her dance, whether live on stage or on television or video. She was a wonderful ballerina, a true Vaganova ballerina with textbook, correct technique, the most exquisite floating lyrical quality and astonishingly beautiful arms. She had had an operation on her hip earlier this year, but for the last few years her dancing performances had become fewer and fewer, but always exquisite. I feel privileged to have seen her throughout her career. I remember the first time I saw her was as Nikiya at the Royal Opera House, when she was in her early 20s. We all marvelled at her slender limbs, since she was a type of ballerina we had never seen before. Towards the end of her career I was so lucky to see her on the Mariinsky stage as Odette-Odile, Nikiya, Giselle, Tsar Maiden and other roles. I loved watching her. I am very sad at this news, but also grateful for having seen her and God Bless her and give her a long and happy life. Link to comment
Natalia Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 (edited) Very sorry to hear this news. So no tribute farewell performance? That's it - she's now retired? So many amazing memories of seeing her live from very early Giselle and Myrta, Lilac Fairy, Raymonda's friend, Neumeier's "Pavlova & Ceccheti" miniature...guesting in DC's Kirov Academy in early 90s w/ Swan Lake pdd & "Russian Dance"..my witnessing her very first full Nikiya at the MT (& many yrs later in DC), early Ratmansky "Fairy's Kiss"...then the agonizing multi-year wait after her big injury...then Scheherazade, Sound of a Empty Pages, La Valse, Trois Gnossienes, Carmen...Raymonda, Diamonds, Legend of Love, Anna Karenina, Paquita Gnd Pas...finally that marvelous last "gala" at BAM in Jan 2016. How lucky that one of her last big tours was at our doorstep! Here's wishing her a wonderful next phase in her life! I selfishly wish that she'd "pull a Wendy Whelan" and continue performing in some way but teaching & coaching the new generation would be fine too. Edited June 17, 2017 by Natalia Adding my personal memories of live Lopatkina performances over the past 25 years! Link to comment
Drew Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 (edited) I cannot think what to write. This news was expected, but still feels overwhelming. I saw her only a very little but to me that very little was beyond measure--Her Swan Lake, in particular was one of the greatest experiences of my life. I wish her every happiness in the future doing whatever she pleases, but of course I rather hope she decides to coach or teach and can pass on some of her profound understanding of ballet. Edited June 17, 2017 by Drew Link to comment
MadameP Posted June 17, 2017 Author Share Posted June 17, 2017 Oh - I HOPE she does coach and pass on some of her wonderful experience to future generations. Mariinsky needs her. Link to comment
Buddy Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 On 17 Jun 2017 at 3:17 AM, Drew said: I cannot think what to write. This news was expected, but still feels overwhelming. I saw her only a very little but to me that very little was beyond measure--Her Swan Lake, in particular one the greatest experiences of my life. I wish her every happiness in the future doing whatever she pleases, but of course I rather hope she decides to coach or teach and can pass on some of her profound understanding of ballet. Well, Drew, we meet once again in complete agreement. I just finished writing at the ABT Swan Lake topic that hers and Veronika Part's Swan Lakes were the best that I've ever seen. As a ballet artist, she is probably one of history's finest. Link to comment
canbelto Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 Wow. I am sad to hear this news. I have some very fond memories of seeing Uliana Lopatkina. I was fortunate enough to see her the few times she toured to the U.S. She was bar none the finest Odette/Odile I've ever seen. Hard to believe that was just two years ago. Also loved her in the adagio of Symphony in C, La Bayadere, and smaller ballets like La Rose Malade and Dying Swan. Hope she passes down her knowledge and artistry to another generation of ballerinas. Link to comment
Natalia Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 Now there's a fine thought...Lopatkina as possible new AD of the Mariinsky. Gergiev can move Fateev to head the Mariinsky's branch in Vladivostok. Link to comment
MadameP Posted June 17, 2017 Author Share Posted June 17, 2017 1 hour ago, Natalia said: Now there's a fine thought...Lopatkina as possible new AD of the Mariinsky. Gergiev can move Fateev to head the Mariinsky's branch in Vladivostok. Ha - Natalia. You said it just as I thought it, but I hear the North Pole has a new ballet company that needs an AD... Link to comment
Birdsall Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 Fateyev needs to be moved to Siberia! LOL Link to comment
Natalia Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 1 hour ago, Birdsall said: Fateyev needs to be moved to Siberia! LOL Link to comment
elena Posted June 17, 2017 Share Posted June 17, 2017 This is expected but makes me very sad. I never got to see her live, but I watched and bought as many of her performances as I could find. I think of her as an intelligent and intuitive artist, both in her approach to dance and the roles she took/avoided. So musical and elegant... a Swan Queen for the books. Link to comment
Mme. Hermine Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 found this today on a dvd - look at about 1:50 to see a very young lopatkina 25 years ago - Link to comment
Cygnet Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 (edited) I feel blessed to have lived in the time of Uliana Vyacheslavovna Lopatkina's, career and to have seen her IRL on many occaisions. She is and will always be a magnificent prima ballerina and I add the title "assoluta." As she retires from the stage, she has set a standard of artistry and professionalism for all aspirants to emulate. Since her graduation from Vaganova Academy in 1991, Uliana never ceased to polish her art, and for that I will be forever grateful! Spasibo Uliana and brava forever! Edited June 18, 2017 by Cygnet Link to comment
Dreamer Posted June 18, 2017 Share Posted June 18, 2017 I knew it would be very unlikely but I was holding a hope of seeing Uliana one more time this coming fall in Dying Swan at the Segerstrom Center. It is so painful to realize that this dream will never come true. Best wishes to Miss Lopatkina in her post-ballet life. Link to comment
hiballet Posted September 5, 2018 Share Posted September 5, 2018 so pity... https://www.sommerballett.no/no/pedagogues/uliana-lopatkina/ Link to comment
Drew Posted September 5, 2018 Share Posted September 5, 2018 (edited) 9 hours ago, hiballet said: so pity... https://www.sommerballett.no/no/pedagogues/uliana-lopatkina/ I am not displeased to read Lopatkina is teaching a masterclass —though I could not quite figure out when this was happening or had happened — I hope she comes to do more work teaching and coaching (assuming she so wishes). She has a wealth of profound knowledge to share.... Edited September 6, 2018 by Drew Typos.... Link to comment
naomikage Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 Lopatkina had also taught in a summer masterclass in Tokyo this summer. She had also came to teach at this seminar while she was still dancing. http://sofia-ballet-seminar.com/ And she came to watch the World Ballet Festival Link to comment
Drew Posted September 6, 2018 Share Posted September 6, 2018 (edited) Lovely...I don't know if she wants to find a more "permanent" institutional position or not, but I would love there to be a way for her knowledge of the art--and of certain roles in particular--to be shared with more dancers. Edited September 6, 2018 by Drew Link to comment
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