Dance: A Cultural Marvel in Crisis

Defections and artistic disputes rock the Bolshoi Ballet

It was a mild spring evening in Moscow, and the city's balletomanes had turned out in force. The setting was familiar: the ornately gilded, plush-trimmed Bolshoi Theater. So was the program, which included an adagio from Sleeping Beauty and variations from Don Quixote and Le Corsaire. But wait. Up onstage were none of the usual Bolshoi Ballet stars, no Plisetskayas or Vasilyevs, no familiar figures at all. In fact, although the dancers showed flashes of the rigorous technique and expressive line that mark the Bolshoi...

Want the full story?

Subscribe Now

Subscribe
Subscribe

Learn more about the benefits of being a TIME subscriber

If you are already a subscriber sign up — registration is free!