Since this blog is about anything to do with dance, every so often I will be posting a biography of a professional dancer who has made an impact on the global dance community and even the general public. So, as this is the first time I'm covering a dancer's profile, I am going to introduce you to my personal favourite, the lovely Polina Semionova.
Polina, born in Moscow, Russia in 1984, is currently a classical ballet dancer and Principal Artist with the Berlin State Opera. She is considered a prima ballerina, an honorable title that few dancers achieve and is one of the youngest dancers to acquire this particular kind of recognition.
Semionova studied dance at the Bolshoi Ballet School, located in Moscow, a school known for its strict methods and extremely disciplined pupils. She also has a list of top-rated ballet awards in her history; including a gold medal at the Moscow International Ballet Competition 2001, First Prize at the Vaganova-Prix Ballet Competition in St Petersburg 2002, and Junior Prize at the Nagoya (Japan) International Ballet Competition 2002.
After graduating in 2002, Polina joined the Ballet Staatsoper Berlin as a principal, where she was invited by artistic director Vladimir Malakhov, becoming the youngest principal dancer in the company's history at the tender age of 18. During her first season, she was given the lead roles in The Nutcracker and La Bayadere, following the role of Tatiana in Onegin.
Since then, she has danced as a guest star with many companies, including the English National Ballet in Swan Lake and as Aurora in the Sleeping Beauty with The California Ballet. She has received impressing reviews and is thought to be one of the most beautiful dancers of our century.
Personally, the reason I think so highly of Polina Semionova, is the fact that she has it all. Most ballet dancers have a strong and weak point, making some roles suit them more than others. But when it comes to this Russian ballerina, I can never find a negative feature. From her amazing feet and extensions, to her graceful arms and powerful expression, she always manages to take my breath away with each performance.
No comments:
Post a Comment