Ivan Vasiliev parachutists. Ivan Vasiliev, ballet dancer: biography, personal life, creativity. In the ballet world, many are fixated on their profession

Today, the soloist of the Bolshoi and Mikhailovsky theaters, Ivan Vladimirovich Vasiliev, despite his youth, is known throughout the world. Every day there is a new achievement, and all thanks to hard work and determination. However, 2015 was truly a landmark year for him. He married his stage partner, the incredibly beautiful ballerina Maria Vinogradova, and also made his debut as a choreographer, staging his first performance “Ballet No. 1” in the Barvikha Luxury Village hall. In this article we will tell you about the early period of life, about becoming a ballet dancer and about what kind of person the talented dancer and choreographer Ivan Vasiliev is off the stage.

Biography

The future star of the Bolshoi and St. Petersburg Mikhailovsky Theaters was born in the village of Tavrichanka (Primorsky Territory), in a family that had nothing to do with art. His father, Vladimir Viktorovich Vasiliev, by the way, the full namesake of the famous premiere of the Bolshoi Theater of the 60-70s, was a military officer, and his mother did not work anywhere, remaining his faithful companion, who was everywhere, from one republic to another, from military unit to unit , followed him, ran the household and raised their sons. When Vanya was 4 years old, the family moved to Ukraine, Dnepropetrovsk. Soon after this, my mother decided to send her eldest son to a children's folk ensemble. Vanya was still very young, but he liked it so much in the dance hall, and he began to do such things there that the leader of the ensemble became interested in the musical and flexible little one, and decided to make an exception for him, accepting him and his older brother into the group.

Introduction to ballet

It so happened in the life of a dancer that no matter where Ivan Vasiliev studied, he always found himself a couple of years younger than his classmates. At the age of 7, the boy and his mother went to ballet for the first time. Throughout the entire performance, he did not utter a word and only his enthusiastically sparkling eyes spoke better than any words about what was going on in his soul. He left the theater completely in love with this form of high art. At home, he began to ask his parents to send him to ballet school. It was not easy for the military man to get used to the idea that his son wanted to connect his life with such a “non-male” occupation. However, the mother managed to convince the father that their son was probably born just for this, and the father gave in. Soon, Ivan Vasiliev was on the list of those admitted to the first class of the Dnepropetrovsk choreographic school. From that moment on, ballet became an integral part of his life. The boy did not particularly stand out for his physical characteristics; on the contrary, some choreographers thought that with this type of figure, not at all slender and short legs (the main “tool” of a dancer), he would not be able to achieve great heights in this type of dance art, but time has shown that they were wrong. In the meantime, the boy surprised everyone with his efficiency, incredible energy and determination.

Education

Then fate brought the family of the future soloist of the best theaters of the country to the Republic of Belarus, and here Ivan Vladimirovich Vasiliev entered the Belarusian State Choreographic College, where he began to study classical ballet under the guidance of the Honored Worker of the Republic of Belarus, choreographer A. Kolyadenko. By the way, despite his young age (12 years old), Vanya was accepted immediately into the 3rd year, because during the entrance exam he began to perform such complex elements that they began to teach in college only towards the end of the second year. Soon he was sent to a competition, where he performed variations that were part of the program for older dancers and, naturally, surprised the jury members.

External data

The dancer says that some teachers did not want to see the obvious and did not believe that something good would come of him, based on his physical parameters. They could not even imagine that Ivan Vasiliev would bring so many new things. Ballet, for which height is of great importance, is a rather conservative art. Ivan’s height, of course, was far from tall, and the choreographers doubted whether he could look beautiful on stage, and his legs were a bit short, and, as some teachers said, they betrayed his plebeian roots. But, as you can see, they were wrong. Ivan Vasiliev proved that to achieve heights in a dancer’s career, appearance is not the most important thing, although the young man worked on his body to the point of exhaustion, as a result of training, he, the word sculptor, sculpted something perfect out of it. It is impossible not to admire his torso; it is worthy of admiration, resembling an isosceles triangle with its apex turned towards the waist.

To Moscow

Before graduating from college, Ivan Vasiliev, whose life ballet played the most important role at that time, had an internship at the Belarusian Bolshoi Theater and performed solo parts in productions of Don Quixote and Corsair. However, all his thoughts were connected with Moscow - this is where he saw himself in the future. And so, having received his diploma, he took a train ticket and, at his own risk, went to the capital of the country, which he considered his homeland. He was, of course, dissuaded, but in Moscow, no matter what you say, true talent is valued.

Premier of the country's main theater

In 2006, the talented dancer was accepted into the Bolshoi Theater, where he made his debut in the play “Don Quixote” in the role of Basil. After 4 years, he already became the premiere of the ballet troupe, bypassing the title of leading soloist, which happened extremely rarely. Here he performed the main roles in the legendary performances: “Giselle”, “Spartacus”, “The Nutcracker”, “Don Quixote”, “Petrushka”. His director and choreographer was Yuri Vladimirov. Before becoming the prime minister, Ivan Vasiliev successfully took part in a magnificent international project. Kings of Dance" (2009). Here he danced on the same stage with such famous dancers as David Hallberg, Jose Manuel Carreno, Joaquin De Luz, and compatriots Nikolai Tsiskaridze, Denis Matvienko and others.

Ivan Vasiliev: Mikhailovsky Theater

It's no secret that being a premier of the Bolshoi Theater is the cherished dream of all ballet dancers, the pinnacle of their career. And imagine the surprise of all the initiates when they learned that Ivan Vasiliev and Natalya Osipova (his partner in many performances and his girlfriend) refused to rehearse “Don Quixote” and decided to leave for St. Petersburg, and not to the Mariinsky, and the Mikhailovsky Theater. Of course, this sounded like a bolt from the blue. The Bolshoi management was at a loss. This is the kind of strange information a professional biography contains. Ivan Vasiliev later explained his decision by saying that he needed a new incentive, a new tough motivation. However, the Bolshoi did not want to completely part with his favorite, and today he is a “guest star” for the theater. By the way, in the same capacity he performs at La Scala, the Rome Opera House, the Bavarian Ballet, the Mariinsky and Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theaters, and also regularly appears on the stage of the American Ballet Theater. He managed to raise the Mikhailovsky Theater to an incredible level. Here he performs leading roles in ballet productions of Don Quixote, The Sleeping Beauty, La Bayadère, Giselle, Flames of Paris, Corsair, Swan Lake, Laurencia, Cavalry Rest, “La Sylphide”, “Vain Precaution”, etc. Ivan Vasiliev, of course, managed to reach the very top in his dancer’s career. He is among the highest paid ballet dancers in the entire world. Wasn't that all he was aiming for?

Choreographer

No. I. Vasiliev says that already at the age of 12, analyzing the work of his choreographers, and in his heart disagreeing with them, he dreamed that the time would come when he himself would be able to create his own production. In 2015, at the end of spring, he managed to fulfill his dream. His debut performance was “Ballet No. 1”, where he used incredible tricks and elements, as if wanting to show what the capabilities of the human body can reach, both in solo and duet parts. The premiere took place on the stage of the Barvikha Luxury Village hall and was an incredible success. The main thing is that the choreographer himself was pleased with himself, and he said that this was just the beginning, new incredible productions awaited everyone.

Ivan Vasiliev: personal life

After Vasiliev arrived in Moscow and got a job at the Bolshoi Theater, he began a relationship with his colleague, Natalya Osipova. In tandem with her, over the course of 4 years they went to the title of premier and prima of the country's main theater. After this, all the acquaintances expected that the couple would legalize their relationship and have a grand wedding, but suddenly it broke up, and soon Ivan began to be noticed in the company of another Bolshoi Theater ballerina, Maria Vinogradova. They danced in a duet in the ballet “Spartacus”. After this, the young people started dating after rehearsals, and for the first date, I. Vasiliev invited his girlfriend to the Bolshoi Theater, but not to the ballet, but to the opera. Probably, it was funny for them to find themselves, although in a familiar environment, not on their own stage, but in front of it, in the auditorium.

Wedding

Vanya made his marriage proposal to Maria in a very romantic atmosphere. He covered the entire room with rose petals and decorated it with balloons. He got down on one knee, like a medieval knight, and handed his beloved a box with an incredibly expensive ring. It turned out that it was a designer’s work from the famous jewelry brand “Graff”, which cost the artist $50,000. Well, what girl could resist such a confession? Maria, naturally, gave her consent, and they began to prepare for the wedding, which took place in the summer of 2015. The wedding ceremony was very beautiful, and the couple looked more than happy. Exactly a year after this, Maria and Ivan had their first child, daughter Anna.

Ivan Vasiliev (see photo below) is a famous ballet dancer. Initially he performed at the Bolshoi Theater, but then became the premiere at the Mikhailovsky Theater. In 2014 he received the title of the Russian Federation. Recently he made his debut as a choreographer with the play “Ballet No. 1”. The article will describe a brief biography of the artist.

Childhood

Ivan Vasiliev was born in 1989 in the village of Tavrichanka (Primorsky Territory). The boy's father was a military man, and the family often had to move. Soon Vasilyev Sr. was transferred to Dnepropetrovsk. Ivan spent his childhood years there. At the age of four, he went with his older brother and mother to an audition for a folk ensemble for children. Initially, only my brother wanted to take up dancing, but the future artist showed such interest in it that the teachers enrolled him too.

Studies

At the age of seven, the boy saw a ballet performance. Ivan immediately fell in love with this type of art. He transferred from the folk ensemble to the choreographic school, and then began to study classical dance at the Belarusian State College. Vasiliev’s director was the famous choreographer Alexander Kolyadenko. By the way, Ivan was enrolled in college immediately in his third year, since he easily performed elements that his peers did not even know about.

During his studies, Ivan Vasiliev completed an internship at the Belarusian Theater. There the young man played in such productions as “Corsair” and “Don Quixote”. After graduating from college, he went to Moscow.

Ballet

In 2006, Ivan Vasiliev was able to get on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater. It took him four years to achieve this goal. It was during this period that the young man became the premier of the troupe. Vasiliev played the main roles in such performances as “Giselle”, “Petrushka”, “The Nutcracker”, “Don Quixote” and “Spartacus”. Also, together with N. Tsiskaridze, he participated in the international project “Kings of Dance”.

At the end of 2011, information appeared in the media that the leaders of the Bolshoi Theater and Ivan Vasiliev were moving to St. Petersburg. And it wasn’t even the Mariinsky Theater. Young people got jobs at the Mikhailovsky Theater, whose ratings were low. It turned out that Ivan needed a serious challenge, severe motivation for further growth in his profession.

Periodically, Vasiliev appears on the stage of the American theater. He is also invited to famous enterprise performances. For example, for the opening ceremony of the Sochi Olympics (the painting “Natasha Rostova’s First Ball”) and for the “Solo for Two” project, made in contemporary style.

Choreographer

They say that at the moment Ivan is among the highest paid dancers in the world. But Vasilyev is of little interest in this. First of all, ballet for him is an art. Recently, a young man tried himself as a choreographer. The artist staged a performance called “Ballet No. 1”.

Ivan Vasiliev: personal life

As soon as the young man moved from Belarus to Moscow, he met Natalya Osipova, who worked as a dancer. Together they reached the highest ranks in the theater - premiere and prima. Natalya and Ivan became a couple not only on the big stage, but also in real life. Their friends had been waiting for the dancers’ wedding for many years, but in the end Osipova and Vasiliev broke up.

Soon the hero of this article met a new love at the Bolshoi Theater. She turned out to be a ballerina. She danced with Ivan in the production of “Spartacus”. A spark immediately ran between the young people. It's funny that Vasiliev invited her on her first date to the Bolshoi Theater. True, not to the ballet, but to the opera.

After some time, Ivan proposed to his beloved. Moreover, everything was very romantic: in a room strewn with rose petals, Vasiliev got down on his knee and handed Maria a ring from a famous jewelry brand. Naturally, the girl could not resist and agreed. The wedding took place in June 2015. A year later, the couple had a daughter, Anna.

Ivan Vasiliev was born on September 9, 1989 in the village of Tavrichanka, Primorsky Territory. The boy grew up in the family of a military officer, Vladimir Viktorovich. Soon, his father was transferred to the Ukrainian city of Dnepr, where the young man spent his early years. At the age of four, together with his mother and older brother Victor, he went to audition for a children's folk ensemble. Moreover, initially my brother planned to go there, but Vanya so zealously showed interest in dancing that the teachers took him too.

Since then, no matter where Vasiliev studied, he always found himself 2-3 years younger than his classmates. At seven, the boy saw a ballet performance for the first time and fell in love with this art form. From the folk ensemble he went to the Dnieper Choreographic School, and later studied classical dance at the Belarusian State Choreographic College under the guidance of choreographer Alexander Kolyadenko. By the way, Vasiliev was accepted into the college immediately as a third-year student, since the young man was fluent in performing those elements that his peers had not even started yet.

During his studies, Ivan interned at the National Academic Bolshoi Theater of the Republic of Belarus and performed on stage in such productions as Don Quixote and Corsair. After college, the young dancer went to Moscow, where he sought the right to join the troupe of the most famous theater in post-Soviet territory.

In 2006, a young and incredibly talented dancer Vasiliev appeared on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater. It took him only four years to, bypassing the title of leading soloist, become the premiere of the ballet troupe. In addition to the main roles in such legendary performances as “Spartacus”, “Don Quixote”, “The Nutcracker”, “Petrushka”, “Giselle”, Ivan, together with Nikolai Tsiskaridze, participated in the international project “Kings of Dance”.

At the end of 2011, the leaders of the Bolshoi Theater, Ivan Vasiliev and Natalya Osipova, moved to St. Petersburg, and not even to the Mariinsky Theater, but to the Mikhailovsky Theater, which at that time was much lower in the ranking. It turned out that the dancer needed a new serious challenge, tough motivation to grow further.

In addition to the St. Petersburg theater, Vasiliev regularly appeared on the stage of the American Ballet Theater, and also took part as a guest artist in famous enterprise performances. For example, in the project “Solo for Two” in contemporary style and at the opening ceremony of the Olympics in Sochi in the film “Natasha Rostova’s First Ball”. The last performance was staged by the amazing choreographer Radu Poklitaru, and prima ballerina of the Mariinsky Theater Svetlana Zakharova danced with Ivan.

On March 1, 2014, the ballet dancer signed an appeal from Russian cultural figures in support of the policies of Russian President Vladimir Putin in Ukraine and Crimea.

Vasiliev is one of the highest paid ballet dancers in the world. However, this fact interests the young man little. Ivan Vladimirovich sees ballet primarily as art and proved this by trying himself as a choreographer, staging the unusual performance “Ballet No. 1” in 2015. In it, the choreographer tried to show the capabilities of the human body both in solo parts and in duets.

As a guest artist, Vasiliev performed in the role of Jose in the production of “Carmen Suite” in 2019, and also performed the role of Ferkhad in “The Legend of Love.”

Awards of Ivan Vasiliev

2004 - Laureate of the International Ballet Competition in Varna (III prize, junior group)

2005 - Laureate of the International Ballet Competition in Moscow (1st prize, junior group)

2006 - Laureate of the Open Competition of Russian Ballet Dancers “Arabesque” in Perm (1st prize and prize of the Korea Ballet Foundation)

2006 - Laureate of the International Ballet Competition in Varna (Special distinction)

2007 - Triumph Prize Youth Grant

2008 - Prize of the magazine “Ballet” “Soul of Dance” in the category “Rising Star”

2008 - National Dance Awards Critics Circle in the Spotlight Award category

2009 - Prize of the International Association of Choreographers “Benois de la dance” for performing the roles of Conrad in “The Corsair” and Philippe in “The Flames of Paris”

2010 - International Ballet Award Dance Open in the category “Mr. Virtuosity”

2011 - National Dance Awards Critics Circle in the category “Best Dancer”

2011 - Grand Prix of the International Ballet Award Dance Open

2011 - Leonid Massine Prize (Positano, Italy)

2014 - Honored Artist of the Russian Federation

Works of Ivan Vasiliev

Repertoire at the Mikhailovsky Theater

2011 - “Sleeping Beauty”, choreographer Nacho Duato - Prince Désiré
2012 - “Laurencia”, choreography by Vakhtang Chabukiani, revised by Mikhail Messerer - Frondoso
2012 - “La Bayadère”, choreography by Marius Petipa, new version by Mikhail Messerer - Solor
2012 - “Don Quixote”, choreography by Alexander Gorsky, new edition by Mikhail Messerer - Basil
2012 - “Swan Lake”, choreography by M. Petipa, L. Ivanov and A. Gorsky, revised by Mikhail Messerer - Evil Genius
2012 - “Romeo and Juliet”, choreographer Nacho Duato - Romeo
2013 - “Flames of Paris”, choreography by Vasily Vainonen, new edition by Mikhail Messerer - Philip
2014 - “A Vain Precaution”, choreography by Frederick Ashton, production by Mikhail Messerer and Michael O’Hair - Colen
2014 - “Class Concert”, choreography by Asaf Messerer, staged by Mikhail Messerer - Soloist - first performer
2014 - “Halt of the Cavalry”, choreography by Marius Petipa, revised by Pyotr Gusev - Pyotr
2015 - “Corsair”, choreography by Marius Petipa, staged by Mikhail Messerer - Conrad

Repertoire at the Bolshoi Theater

2006 - “Don Quixote”, choreography by Alexander Gorsky, revised by Alexey Fadeechev - Basil
2006 - “A Vain Precaution”, choreography by Frederick Ashton, production by Alexander Grant - Colin
2007 - “La Bayadère”, choreography by Nikolai Zubkovsky - Golden God
2007 - “Misericordes”, choreographer Christopher Wheeldon - Soloist
2007 - “Corsair”, choreography by Marius Petipa, production and new choreography by Alexei Ratmansky and Yuri Burlaka - Slave Dance - first performer
2007 - “Spartak”, choreographer Yuri Grigorovich - Three Shepherds
2007 - “Class Concert”, choreography by Asaf Messerer - Soloist - first performer
2008 - “Corsair”, choreography by Marius Petipa, production and new choreography by Alexei Ratmansky and Yuri Burlaka - Conrad
2008 - “The Flames of Paris”, choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky using choreography by Vasily Vainonen - Philip
2008 - “Spartak”, choreographer Yuri Grigorovich - Spartak
2008 - “Bright Stream”, choreographer Alexei Ratmansky - Peter
2009 - “La Bayadère”, choreography by Marius Petipa, revised by Yuri Grigorovich - Solor
2009 - “Esmeralda”, choreography by Agrippina Vaganova - Actaeon - first performer
2010 - “The Nutcracker”, choreographer Yuri Grigorovich - The Nutcracker Prince
2010 - “Young Man and Death”, choreographer Roland Petit - Young Man - first performer
2010 - “Petrushka”, choreography by Mikhail Fokin, revised by Sergei Vikharev - Petrushka
2011 - “Raymonda”, choreography by Marius Petipa, revised by Yuri Grigorovich - Abderakhman
2011 - “Lost Illusions”, choreographer Alexei Ratmansky - Lucien - first performer
2011 - “Giselle”, edited by Yuri Grigorovich - Count Albert
2013 - “Coppelia”, choreography by Marius Petipa and Enrico Cecchetti, revised by Sergei Vikharev - Franz
2015 - “La Sylphide”, choreography by August Bournonville, edited by Johan Kobborg - James
2015 - “Ivan the Terrible”, choreographer Yuri Grigorovich - Ivan the Terrible

Tour

Anniversary concert in honor of the 60th anniversary of the Perm State Choreographic School in Perm

XX International Ballet Festival in Havana, pas de deux from the ballet “Flames of Paris” and pas de deux from the ballet “Don Quixote” with Natalia Osipova

Gala concert “Today's Stars and Tomorrow's Stars” (pas de deux from the ballet “Flames of Paris” with Natalia Osipova), which concluded the IX International Competition for ballet school students, the Youth America Grand Prix, established by former Bolshoi Ballet dancers Gennady and Larisa Savelyev
Basil in the Mikhailovsky Theater's play "Don Quixote" (Kitri - Irina Perren)
Gala concerts in Kazan that concluded the International Festival of Classical Ballet named after Rudolf Nureyev (pas de deux from the ballet “The Flames of Paris”, partner - Natalya Osipova)
Gala concert on the stage of the Lyon Amphitheater (variations and coda from the ballet “Don Quixote”, pas de deux from the ballet “Flames of Paris”, partner - Natalya Osipova)
As part of the First Siberian Ballet Festival - Basil in the performance of the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theater “Don Quixote” (with Natalya Osipova) and Albert in the ballet “Giselle” (Giselle - Natalya Osipova)

The role of Solor in the ballet “La Bayadère” (staged by Igor Zelensky) at the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theater (Nikia - Natalya Osipova)
The role of Albert in the ballet “Giselle” (edition by Nikita Dolgushin) with the troupe of the Mikhailovsky Theater in St. Petersburg (Giselle - Natalya Osipova)
Basil's role at the Second Siberian Ballet Festival in the performance of the Novosibirsk State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater "Don Quixote" (Kitri - soloist of the NGATOB Anna Zharova)
Participant in the second series of the Ardani Artists agency project “Kings of Dance” (performed the miniature “Vestris” (choreography by Leonid Yakobson) and a part in the ballet “For 4” (choreography by Christopher Wheeldon)

The role of Frederi in the ballet Le d'Arlesienne (choreography by Roland Petit) in Rome with the ballet troupe of the Rome Opera

Guest soloist of the American Ballet Theater in performances on the stage of the New York Metropolitan Opera: Peter in the ballet “Bright Stream” (Zina - Xiomara Reyes) and Franz in the ballet “Coppelia” revised by F. Franklin (Swanilda - Xiomara Reyes)
Guest artist of the English National Ballet in performances on the stage of the London Coliseum: Romeo in Frederick Ashton's ballet "Romeo and Juliet" (Juliet - Natalia Osipova) and the Youth in Roland Petit Petit's ballet "Young Man and Death" (partner - Zhi Jang)
Gala concerts in Buenos Aires on the stage of the Coliseo Theater with Natalia Osipova: pas de deux from the ballet Don Quixote and Serenade (choreographer Mauro Bigonzetti)

As part of the Fifth Siberian Ballet Festival with the Novosibirsk Theater troupe: Spartacus (Phrygia - NGATOB soloist Anna Zharova) and Solor in the ballet “La Bayadère” (Nikia - NGATOB soloist Anna Odintsova).

Guest soloist (Mariinsky Theatre, St. Petersburg): Prodigal Son in the ballet “Prodigal Son” (choreography by George Balanchine); A young man in the ballet “Young Man and Death” (choreography by Roland Petit) (partner - soloist of the Mariinsky Theater Victoria Tereshkina); Basil in the ballet “Don Quixote” (Choreography by Alexander Gorsky (1902) based on the play by Marius Petipa) (Kitris - soloist of the Mariinsky Theater Anastasia Matvienko)

The role of Solor in the ballet “La Bayadère” (staged by Natalia Makarova) in Moscow with the ballet troupe of the Moscow Musical Theater. K. S. Stanislavsky and Vl. I. Nemirovich-Danchenko (Nikia - MAMT soloist Anna Ol, Gamzatti - MAMT soloist Oksana Kardash).

Guest soloist (La Scala, Milan): The Phantom of the Rose in the ballet “The Vision of the Rose” (choreography by Mikhail Fokine); Rubies in the ballet Jewels (choreography by George Balanchine)

Filmography

2010 - “Flames of Paris” - Philip
2011 - “Don Quixote” - Basil

Family of Ivan Vasiliev

Common-law wife - Natalya Osipova, ballerina.

Ivan Vladimirovich Vasiliev is a native of the Primorsky Territory; he was born in 1989 into a military family. The boy showed interest in the art of dance very early: when he was only four years old, his older brother began attending a folk dance ensemble, and Ivan followed him. Despite his age, the teachers agreed to take him into the ensemble.

To be a couple of years younger than his classmates - this became I. Vasiliev’s destiny for many years, wherever he studied - in a children’s ensemble, at the Dnepropetrovsk choreographic school. For this reason - and also because of his height - teachers long doubted that the boy would be able to achieve anything. But at the age of twelve, Ivan successfully performed at the competition, amazing the jury, and in 2002 he entered the Belarusian State Choreographic College, and he was admitted not to the first year, but to the third: much of what he already knew, his peers still haven't started to master it. And here, too, a too-young student constantly hears from his mentors: “You won’t succeed,” but such words only fuel his desire to prove that he can comprehend a lot.

I. Vasiliev’s achievements are truly impressive. He won prizes at international competitions: in 2004 - in Varna, in 2005 - in Perm, in 2006 - again in Varna, and also in Moscow. While still a student, he made his debut, as a trainee, in the role of Basil at the Bolshoi Theater of the Republic of Belarus, and also performed the role of Ali in ““.

I. Vasiliev’s first appearance on the historical stage of the Bolshoi Theater took place after winning the competition - he participated in a gala concert. The impression made by the beauty and scale of the hall became one of the most striking moments in the dancer’s life. In 2006, I. Vasiliev - at the invitation of A. Ratmansky - became an artist of this theater, where he rehearsed under the direction of Y. Vladimirov. From the very beginning, he performed solo parts: Basil, Colen, Golden God, Conrad, Philip in “,” Peter in “,”, ... Just four years later - without even having the status of leading soloist - I. Vasiliev became prime minister.

More and more new roles appear in I. Vasiliev’s repertoire: Solor, the Nutcracker Prince, the title role in “”, Abderakhman in “”, Albert in “”. The dancer also takes part in premieres - he was the first performer of the solo part in “Class Concert”, the roles of the Young Man in “Young Man and Death” and Lucien in A. Ratmansky’s “Lost Illusions”. In 2009, I. Vasiliev, along with D. Holberg, J. M. Carreño and D. Matvienko, participates in the “Kings of Dance” project. The dancer’s success was truly triumphant: the audience rose from their seats in one impulse, chanting “Bravo!”, without even waiting for the end of his performance. The real highlight of the program was the one-act ballet “Labyrinth of Loneliness” by Patrick de Ban, performed solo by I. Vasiliev.

The combination of virtuosity with stage charm provides I. Vasiliev with both the love of the audience and the approval of critics, who note both the “fine tuning of feelings” and the originality of interpretations with complete fidelity to the spirit of the work. So, in his mind, Spartak is a reckless young man who attracts his comrades to the uprising as a dangerous undertaking. In this part, the artist demonstrates his truly grandiose jump.

At the Bolshoi Theater, I. Vasiliev finds a partner -. During the tour in London, critics said that this couple deserved not five stars (the highest rating in the British press), but seven.

He performs as a guest star at the Bolshoi Theater, and since 2012 has been a guest premier at the American Ballet Theatre.

In 2014, I. Vasiliev performed in Sochi at the opening of the Olympic Games in a choreographic picture staged by R. Poklitaru. In the same year, the dancer participated in the “Solo for Two” project, together with performing in the works of A. Pete and O. Naarin. In 2015, within the framework of the same project, the artist’s choreographer’s debut took place - his production “Ballet No. 1” was presented in the Barvikha Luxury Village hall. According to the artist, his decision to try his hand as a choreographer was prompted by his reluctance to “dance fifteen versions of one ballet” all his life; he wanted to “give freedom of thoughts.”

I. Vasiliev’s choreographer’s activities continued in 2016 at the Mikhailovsky Theater. Here the choreographer staged three one-act ballets: “Bolero” to music, “Morphine” based on Bulgakov’s “Notes of a Young Doctor” and “Blind Liaison”.

I. Vasiliev considers one of his main goals as a choreographer to be helping artists discover their talent and potential. The dancer claims that doing this is no less pleasant than performing on stage himself.

Musical Seasons

They are young, talented and obsessed with their profession. Duet on stage and in life. Maria Vinogradova is the leading soloist of the Bolshoi Theater. Her element is lyrical heroines, and in this role she is truly in demand today.

Photo: Dmitry Zhuravlev

Ivan Vasiliev is a world ballet star. Each of his performances, on any continent, is a grandiose event for the public, who idolizes Vasilyev... Most recently, Masha and Ivan had a daughter. But Maria is already in service. On December 16, at the Christmas Ballet Gala in the Kremlin Palace, her next premiere was the ballet Scheherazade. Who is the partner? Of course, Ivan Vasiliev!

WITHhow many years have you been together?

Ivan: I turned three years old in December.

Is this a lot or a little?

Maria: It depends on which side you look at.

I.: With me - a year or two.

Why such speeds?

I.: Because I am a cheerful person. ( Laughs.)

Each of you had your own personal life, your own career. What brought you together?

M.: Scene. At the Bolshoi Theater we danced together in “Spartacus”, Vanya - the main role of Spartacus, I - Phrygia, his lover. Since this all started. ( Smiles.)

In the ballet world, many are fixated on their profession.

I.: This is exactly what I’m struggling with. It's just a ballet, not the whole life. I guess I really realized this when I started a family, when my daughter was born. You come home and you have to be able to switch.

M.: Of course, I want to spend as much time as possible with my little daughter, but I also need to manage everything in my career.

How old is your daughter now?

I.: Five months. For the sake of my daughter, I work a lot and tour a lot.

Sometimes I come home late in the evening, and at five in the morning I have to fly somewhere again. The only thing that gives me strength and makes me pull myself together internally is my daughter and family.

How quickly did you feel that your relationship might end in marriage?

I.: We came together like a puzzle, we immediately felt harmony. From the first week we started dating, it was so easy for us to be together. Now we have multiplied this feeling, we have become a full-fledged family, this cannot but rejoice. True, I looked after Masha for almost a month.

I understand, Ivan, that with your reactivity, a month is an eternity.

I.: For me, an hour is sometimes an eternity, everything is relative.

M.: And it seems to me that this time somehow dragged on slowly.

I.: I was touring all the time then. The courtship was at a distance, I sent Masha parcels and flowers.

M.: Mostly it was flowers.

I.: I remember one day I brought you a box and told you to open it when I was already on the train. I went to Moscow then for literally ten hours.

And you, Masha, of course, liked all this?

M.: Well, what woman doesn’t like it when she is beautifully looked after? ( Smiles.) Maybe these signs of attention were especially dear and valuable, because real feelings arose.

When you dance in a duet, the scene is sure to highlight genuine feelings. Have you already danced together after your daughter was born?

M.: Yes, on November 29 we had Spartak. In fact, being in a position, I set myself the goal of returning to the stage very quickly. I realized for myself that if I go on maternity leave, I will never come back.

Our profession is the work of young people, and if you fall out of the process for a long time, you may not get a lot done. So, as soon as the doctors allowed physical activity, I started going to ballet class. This happened a month after giving birth.

Everything moved so quickly that at the beginning of the season I was actively involved in work. It was difficult, of course. Vanya saw my suffering, in the summer he went to the theater with me, gave me a class, helped me get into shape.

I.: I couldn’t convince Masha that I still needed to stay at home. I would gladly sit in her place. (Laughs.)

M.: While on maternity leave, I went to performances in which Vanya danced. “Spartak”, “Ivan the Terrible” in the Bolshoi... I flew with him to St. Petersburg, Novosibirsk, even to Japan. I really wanted to go on stage!

At one time there was a big story when Ivan Vasiliev, already being the premiere of the ballet and having all possible privileges in the theater, unexpectedly left the Bolshoi. Do you, Vanya, have any desire to go back?

I.: I left, but in fact I didn’t go anywhere. Because a month after “leaving” the theater I began collaborating with the Bolshoi again as a guest soloist, and I continue to collaborate to this day. I have many interesting projects around the world. At the moment, the situation with the Bolshoi Theater suits me. I like to come there, dance my favorite ballets, the Bolshoi is my first theater, my home, my beginning, and I feel very comfortable here.

I remember well your first performance at the Bolshoi in 2006. You danced in Basil's Don Quixote, the main male part, the most difficult part, designed for a mature dancer, and you were only seventeen years old at that time! This is a unique case for the Bolshoi Theater; nothing like it has happened either before or since.

M.: Vanya is a unique case in itself. ( Smiles.) I mean his brilliant career. On stage he is honest, he always gives his best - even if there are injuries, he never saves strength. And in life he is as open as on stage.

That's just about strength and energy. One day, at a creative evening for the ballerina Ulyana Lopatkina, a very dramatic episode happened. Ivan started dancing a fragment from the ballet “Flames of Paris”, suddenly lost his balance, fell, then started dancing again and as a result lost consciousness right on stage. Personally, it was painful and scary for me to watch all this...

I.: Yes, I was dancing then with a temperature of about forty, only behind the scenes I came to my senses, on some bed. They called an ambulance.

Who needs such sacrifices and why?!

I.: Well, I don’t know how to say “no”. ( Smiles.)

Were you scared then?

I.: No, it wasn’t scary. It was a shame.

M.: Not a single artist is immune from this. There are things you can't control on stage. Injuries happen. I had a broken leg. I “broke down” during the rehearsal of a new play. I worked with this fracture for about another week, because the doctors did not see the fracture on the x-ray.

I walked on crutches for a month, then it took a long time to recover. And I had so many premieres planned then! Of course, you need to take care of your health. You need to devote more time to rest. Even Vanya already realized that he needed to take care of himself. I am responsible for the health of our family. I always make sure my husband takes vitamins, gets massages...

One more thing. I remember very well how, before my debut in Don Quixote, just before the start of the performance, I asked Ivan if he was nervous when he appeared on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater for the first time. And Ivan answered self-confidently: “Why worry?” I was quite surprised by this reaction.

I.: Probably it was youthful maximalism, a defensive reaction. I can say that if the excitement disappears before the performance, you can leave the profession.

So you were lying then?

And of course. Or maybe because of the adrenaline I didn’t understand how much I was worried. Now I understand that no matter how much I dance, I get more and more worried. When you grow, when you reach a certain level, responsibility for what you do appears. Every time you go on stage, you have to become the best version of yourself.

At seventeen you had Don Quixote. Where to grow next?

And you succeeded. You have had a phenomenal career, you are applauded all over the world.

I.: Over the years I have been able to dance in many places. I worked with the best dance companies in New York, London, Munich, Rome... I was Ivan the Terrible, and Spartacus, and the prince in Swan Lake, and the Evil Genius there. I don’t have such a thing that, they say, how is it that you put me as an Evil Genius, and I only want to be a prince. If the role is interesting to me, let it be secondary, what difference does it make? After all, you can go out and dance it so that it becomes the main one!

It's right. It seems to me that you have completely different characters. If Ivan is temperamental and explosive, then Masha is calm, imperturbable...

I.: In some ways we are still similar. For example, both are domestic, such “couch troops”. The biggest thrill is when you can sit at home together and talk...

I know that Masha is a native Muscovite, but Ivan has a rich geography.

I.: Yes, it shook me. I was born in the Primorsky Territory, and studied ballet in Minsk. ( Smiles.)

Why Minsk and not Moscow?

I.: They advised me to have good teachers there. We moved from Vladivostok to Ukraine when I was twelve years old. From there it’s on to Minsk.

I wonder, Vanya, were you told from the very beginning that you have outstanding ballet skills?

I.: At the age of five I already danced a variation from Don Quixote...

...Wow!

I.: So, there was probably potential. I can’t say that everything was easy, but I’ve loved working since childhood.

I didn’t like to idly run around the school, play tag or sit in the computer club, it was simply not interesting to me, and what was the point of all this? I only did what could bring some results. I have always been a leader, I even learned English for this reason. When I came to work under contract in New York, at the American Ballet Theater, I thought: how can it be that I won’t be the life of the party? And I started learning the language. It’s probably in my nature to be the center of attention. ( Smiles.)

Were you invited to the Bolshoi after winning the Moscow International Ballet Competition? In any case, then everyone was talking only about the phenomenal Ivan Vasiliev.

I.: They invited me a little later. I received a gold medal at a competition in Moscow at the age of fifteen.

M.: By the way, Ivan and I met there for the first time: that year I also became a laureate.

I.: No, we met for the first time earlier, when you came to a concert with us at the Minsk School. Don't you remember? I took part in a one-act production staged especially for me, and Masha danced in The Nutcracker. True, we didn’t meet then.

Why?

I.: I was generally a shy boy. He went on stage, danced, and then remained in his own world. Every time a ballet was given at the Minsk theater, I was sure to be in the auditorium, in the gallery. My school classmates were surprised: “Why do you go to the same production so many times?” But I didn’t understand how you could skip it, the performers are different every time, there’s a lot to learn.

Your older brother Victor also does ballet. Have you followed in his footsteps?

I.: No, rather, he followed mine. It so happened that we started studying together in a folk ensemble, and then I was ahead of him everywhere. I went to Minsk, a year later he arrived. When I came to the Bolshoi, he entered the Moscow Academy of Choreography. Now my brother works at the Bolshoi Theater in a mimance, so there is only Vasiliev on staff! ( Smiles.) And they called me to the Bolshoi three times.

Did you really have to persuade?!

I.: The first time they called me for a conversation was when I was at a competition in Perm, so I couldn’t come. I won the Perm competition, and they called me a second time, but at that time I had state exams at the school. And the third time they actually sent me a train ticket. I met the management, and they immediately offered me to become a soloist.

Usually everyone starts with the corps de ballet.

I.: This happened for the first time at the Bolshoi: seventeen years old, just from school - and immediately became a soloist.

Did you think that all this was in the order of things, or did you perceive it as gifts of fate?

I.: What gifts of fate? I just wanted everything to happen that way. At the age of twenty, I already became the premiere of the ballet, bypassing the position of leading soloist.

With Masha, in this sense, everything is smooth, step by step.

M.: Yes, I went through all the stages at the Bolshoi: from artist of the “second corps de ballet” to leading soloist. The first main role was Anastasia in “Ivan the Terrible”, then “Spartak”, and then new interesting roles.

And Ivan is now also a choreographer. Tell me, when did you feel the need to stage ballets?

I.: Even before dancing. I always want to do something new, otherwise I get bored. Masha constantly heard that I wanted to bet, and then one day she told me: “If you want, bet.” That is, she actually pushed me to realize my dream.

M.: When Vanya composes a ballet, it’s a different story. A person is completely immersed in his own world. He may wake up in the middle of the night, turn on music, start telling me something or even showing me something.

I.: Several of my productions are in the repertoire of the Mikhailovsky Theater, where I serve today.

And on December 31, on the stage of the Hermitage Theater there will be a premiere of my two-act ballet “A Christmas Carol” based on Dickens’ story “A Christmas Carol”, I myself dance the hero named Scrooge.

If Ivan dances on December 31 in St. Petersburg, does that mean you will be celebrating the New Year separately?

I.: I specially scheduled my premiere for sixteen o’clock, so that I could then catch the plane to Moscow. So we will definitely celebrate the New Year together!

Photo: Dmitry Zhuravlev. Style: Polina Shabelnikova. Makeup and hairstyles: Natalya Oginskaya/Pro.FashionLab