Ekaterina Kondaurova Explained

Ekaterina Kondaurova
Birth Date:20 August 1982
Birth Place:Moscow, Russia
Occupation:Ballet dancer
Education:Vaganova Ballet Academy
Dances:Swan Lake, La Bayadère, Anna Karenina, In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated, The Firebird, Raymonda

Ekaterina Kondaurova (Russian: Екатерина Кондаурова; born 20 August 1982) is a Russian ballet dancer, currently one of the stars of the Mariinsky Ballet from Saint Petersburg. Merited Artist of the Russian Federation (2020).

Early life

Born in Moscow, Kondaurova is the daughter of an optician. She showed an early interest in gymnastics, piano and dance. After she failed to gain admission to the Bolshoi Ballet School, her mother was successful in having her accepted by the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in Saint Petersburg. After graduating in 2001, she immediately joined the Mariinsky.[1]

Career

While on tour to Frankfurt in 2003, Kondaurova was noticed by the choreographer William Forsythe who the following year invited her to dance in the Mariinsky premiere of his In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated. As a result of the excellent reviews she received, she soon starred in other contemporary works by Forsythe, Alexei Ratmansky and Kirill Simonov. Olga Chenchikova, her coach until 2007, ensured her success in classical ballet roles, for example with her personalized interpretation of Nikiya in La Bayadère. Since 2007, her coach has been Elvira Tarasova.[2] Kondaurova has also danced in several of George Balanchine's ballets including Symphony in C and Jewels (ballet).[1]

In 2008, Kondaurova married Islom Baimuradov, her frequent Mariinsky dancing partner. She shares his interests in walking, gastronomy and interior decoration.[1] She became a principal dancer at the Mariinsky Ballet in 2012.[3]

Repertoire

choreography by Michel Fokine
choreography by George Balanchine
choreography by George Balanchine
choreography by Jerome Robbins
choreography by William Forsythe
choreography by Alexei Ratmansky

Awards

Ekaterina Kondaurova has received the following awards:[4]

Notes and References

  1. The Bewitching Ekaterina Kondaurova. Elizabeth Kendall. Pointe Magazine. 29 December 2009.
  2. Mentors of the Mariinsky. Catherine Pawlick. Dance Magazine. 1 January 2014.
  3. Web site: Yekaterina Kondaurova. Mariinsky Theatre. 25 October 2019.
  4. Web site: Ekaterina Kondaurova. Benois Theatre. 25 October 2019.
  5. Web site: Указ Президента Российской Федерации от 11 марта 2020 года № 177 . pravo.gov.ru . March 11, 2020.