Boris Eifman

Noted by The New York Times as today's "most successful Russian choreographer," Boris Eifman is one of the major figures in modern ballet. Born in the Siberian town in 1946. At the age of 13, he decided to be a choreographer-a resolution that he noted then in his diary and that he still carries forward with fervor and dedication of a truly gifted artist. Enrolling in 1966 in the newly formed choreography department of the Leningrad Conservatory, Eifman commanded the attention of local critics as early as 1970, when he premiered his widely acclaimed ballet called Icarus. That same year, he became the official choreographer of the Vaganova Academy, the Kirov Ballet's school, and had the opportunity to choreograph for numerous television programs and ice shows. In 1972, Eifman choreographed Gaianeh for the Maly Opera and Ballet Theatre. The ballet became an overwhelming success, resulting in a widely popular film version that was released in New York in 1979. In 1975, he choreographed Firebird for the Kirov Ballet. In 1977 Eifman's company immediately began touring in Russia, performing to sold-out houses of soviet fans, hungry for original artistic expression. Eifman Ballet  received great international acclaim with its first performance abroad at the Champs Elysees Theatre in Paris. Eifman Ballet went on tours throughout Western and Eastern Europe, Japan, South Korea, South Africa, Israel, and Latin America. Deeply concerned about the subject matter of his ballets, Eifman is not the first in Russian ballet to explore philosophical issues through emotionalism and theatricality by fusing the expressiveness of modern dance with the language of classical ballet. Introduced by Jean-Georges Noverre in 18th century and rediscovered by Michel Fokine in the early 1900s, this artistic approach is not new to the Russian stage. But, as Anna Kisselgoff wrote in The New York Times, though he may not be the first, "He is arguably the best."

   


 

Boris Eifman and principal
of  "Red Giselle"
Elena Kuzmina

 


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