Tracing the History of the Kirov Ballet
The very first dance school in Russia was established in the year 1738, known as the Imperial Theatre School at the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg. The school was founded with the aim of providing expert tutelage to promising young dancers who would then, once they received formal training, go on to form the first ballet troupe of Russia. Coached under the impeccable talent and expertise of the French ballet master and tutor Jean-Baptiste Landé, the very first troupe was made up of twelve girls and twelve boys and laid the foundation for the Kirov Ballet. While the school was known as the Imperial Ballet School, the troupe came to be known as the Imperial Russian Ballet until the end of the Imperial regime.
Creating a Niche around The World
The dance school and its offspring dance company became one of the biggest successes in the field of international ballet, and went on to produce some of the most cherished and most well known names in the history of ballet dance in the world. Some of the stalwarts produced by the school include Charles Didelot, Christian Johansson, Jules Perrot, Carlotta Grisi, and Fanny Cerrito.
Closing and Re-opening Of the Ballet
After the Russian Revolution finished, the Soviet government was of the opinion that the ballet company and the training school were painful reminders and symbolic of the rule of the Tsars, and hence the two were shut down. However, the ballet company soon reopened under the new name of the Soviet Ballet, while the school was renamed Leningrad State Choreographic Schoo. In 1934 the company was renamed Kirov Ballet, a name that continues to stick even today. The name Mariinsky Ballet was taken on after the institutions were associated with the Mariinsky Theatre. The school is now known by its successor, a modernized version of the institution now known as Vaganova Ballet Academy.
Legacy of the Kirov Ballet
The Kirov Ballet is one of the jewels in the culture and art of Russia, and forms an important part of the atmosphere of St. Petersburg. The Imperial Russian Ballet left its mark on the culture of the city by inspiring many other dance schools. The Mariinsky Ballet, as the Kirov Ballet is now known as, has become the parent firm presiding over the Vaganova Ballet Academy. The Vaganova Ballet Academy is possibly the best dance school in the country and is known to be an internationally acclaimed institution.
The Ballet in Today’s Times
The Mariinsky Ballet is known to be one of the finest ballet companies in the world. The ballet company boasts of a team of more than 200 ballet dancers and performers, and has a stunning team of character artists and reserve troupe members. The Mariinsky Ballet, along with the Mariinsky Opera, is administered under the management of the Mariinsky Theatre of which Valery Gergiev is the Artistic Director. The two units are managed individually.