She was the favorite of Stalin himself. An outstanding ballerina of her time, Olga Lepeshinskaya received four Stalin awards, as well as the title of People's Artist of the USSR. Her assets include numerous medals and orders, including "For Services to the Fatherland" and "For Valorous Labor." But in early childhood Olga did not even think about the career of a ballerina.
From the biography of Olga Vasilievna Lepeshinskaya
The future prima of Soviet ballet was born on September 28, 1916 in Kiev. Her parents were nobles. And the grandfather was in the organization of the People's Will, for which he was subjected to repression by the tsarist authorities. Subsequently, he organized a school, where he taught peasant children to read and write for free. Lepeshinskaya's cousin was familiar with Lenin and served exile with him.
The father of the future ballerina was an engineer, in 1905 he participated in the construction of the Chinese-Eastern Railway. After the outbreak of the imperialist war, the Lepeshinsky family settled in Moscow.
Olga grew up as a musical child. As soon as she began to walk, she began to dance to the sound of music. But in those years she did not even think about a career as a ballerina. Lepeshinskaya wanted to become an engineer and build bridges.
However, in 1925, one of the famous dancers in the world of ballet, after meeting Olga, advised to send the girl to a ballet school. But the strict selection committee of the state ballet school did not see Olga's special talents. Lepeshinskaya was refused admission.
The girl showed character and began intensive choreography classes. As a result, she was accepted into a ballet school. At the age of 10, Lepeshinskaya performed her first part in the opera The Snow Maiden. Then there was a bright role in The Nutcracker. In 1931, Olga completed her studies at the choreographic technical school. A career as a ballerina awaited her.
Olga Lepeshinskaya's creative career
In 1935, Lepeshinskaya played the role of Suok in the premiere of Three Fat Men. The public noticed the young talent, critics enthusiastically praised Olga's work.
In 1940, Lepeshinskaya performed on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater. The ballet Don Quixote with Olga's participation was a stunning success. The production was approved by Joseph Stalin. He also presented the ballerina with her first prize. Gradually, Lepeshinskaya becomes a favorite of the public.
In 1943 Olga became the main performer of the role of Assol in the ballet Scarlet Sails. After the war, Lepeshinskaya starred in the ballet The Flames of Paris. She also received the Stalin Prize for this work. The ballerina's repertoire was constantly replenished with new roles.
Lepeshinskaya was always skeptical about praises addressed to her. She was not always happy with her performance. Olga Vasilievna worked hard and hard on each role, bringing her performances to perfection.
Lepeshinskaya was also engaged in social work, carried out Komsomol assignments.
Personal life of Olga Lepeshinskaya
In 1956 Olga Vasilievna met General of the Army Antonov. An imposing man offered to give her a lift after a gala reception in the Kremlin. A short meeting was the beginning of a great feeling. They got married in the same year. However, the happiness did not last long: In 1962, the general passed away.
The loss of a loved one was a shock for the ballerina. The ballerina went blind. Treatment in the best clinics in Italy helped restore vision, but Lepeshinskaya decided not to go on stage anymore. Lepeshinskaya begins to engage in teaching activities. She taught not only in the USSR, but also in Tokyo, Vienna, Budapest, New York. Lepeshinskaya was a member of the selection committee of GITIS in the department of choreography.
Olga Vasilievna passed away on December 20, 2008. The prima of the national ballet was at that time 92 years old.
