She was the favorite of Stalin himself. An outstanding ballerina of her time, Olga Lepeshinskaya received four Stalin Prizes, as well as the title of People's Artist of the USSR. Her assets include numerous medals and orders, including For Merit to the Fatherland and For Valiant Labor. But in early childhood, Olga did not even think about a ballerina's career.
From the biography of Olga Vasilyevna Lepeshinskaya
The future prima of the Soviet ballet was born on September 28, 1916 in Kiev. Her parents were nobles. And the grandfather was in the organization of the people of the people, for which he was subjected to repression by the tsarist authorities. Subsequently, he organized a school, where he taught free literacy peasant children. Lepeshinsky’s cousin was acquainted with Lenin, he was serving a link with him.
The father of the future ballerina was an engineer, in 1905 he participated in the construction of the Sino-East 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 at the sound of music. But she did not even think about the career of a ballerina in those years. Lepeshinskaya wanted to become an engineer and build bridges.
However, in 1925, one of the world famous ballet dancers, after meeting Olga, advised her to send the girl to a ballet school. But the strict selection committee of the state ballet school did not make out talents from Olga. Lepeshinskaya’s admission was refused.
The girl showed character and began to intensify her choreography classes. As a result, she was accepted to the ballet school. At the age of 10, Lepeshinskaya performed her first part in the opera Snegurochka. Then there was a vivid role in The Nutcracker. In 1931, Olga completed her studies at the choreographic college. She was waiting for the career of a ballerina.
Creative career of Olga Lepeshinskaya
In 1935, Lepeshinskaya played the role of Suok in the premiere of "Three Fat Men". The public noticed a young talent, critics enthusiastically praised Olga's work.
In 1940, Lepeshinskaya performs on the stage of the Bolshoi Theater. The ballet Don Quixote with the participation of Olga was a stunning success. The production was approved by Joseph Stalin. He handed the ballerina her first prize. Gradually Lepeshinskaya becomes the favorite of the public.
In 1943, Olga became the main performer of the Assol party in the ballet Scarlet Sails. After the war, Lepeshinskaya shone in the ballet The Flames of Paris. For this work, she also received the Stalin Prize. The repertoire of the ballerina was constantly replenished with new parties.
Lepeshinskaya was always skeptical of praising her. She was not always happy with her performance. Olga Vasilyevna worked hard and hard on each role, bringing her performances to perfection.
Lepeshinskaya also engaged in public work, carried out Komsomol instructions.
