Olesya Novikova Explained

Olesya Novikova
Birth Place:Saint Petersburg, Russia
Education:Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet
Current Group:Mariinsky Theater
Occupation:Ballerina
Spouse:Leonid Sarafanov

Olesya Novikova (Russian: Олеся Новикова) is a Russian ballet dancer. She is a principal dancer with the Mariinsky Theatre.

She was born in Saint Petersburg and studied at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet. Upon graduation, she joined the Mariinsky Theatre; she has toured with them in Great Britain, Germany and China. Novikova won a prize at the International Vaganova-Prix Ballet Dancers' Competition in 2002.

Novikova created the female lead role in Du Côté de chez “Swann” by Alexei Miroshnichenko. In 2011, she played the lead role in the ballet Raymonda.[1]

In 2021, Novikova was promoted to the rank of Principal dancer of the Mariinsky Theatre.[2]

She is married to Leonid Sarafanov, with him they have 4 children: Alexei (born 2010), Ksenia (born 2015), Alexander (born 2018) and Konstantin (born 2022).[3]

Repertoire

choreography by George Balanchine
choreography by George Balanchine
choreography by George Balanchine
choreography by Hans van Manen
choreography by Alexei Ratmansky
choreography by William Forsythe
choreography by William Forsythe
choreography by Bronislava Nijinska

In 2011, at Teatro alla Scala she appeared in the lead role in the premiere performance of the ballet Raymonda (production by Sergei Vikharev)

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Olesya Novikova . Mariinsky Theatre.
  2. Web site: Олеся Новикова – прима-балерина Мариинского театра . Mariinsky Theater.
  3. News: One of best dancers in world gives ballet class in Kelowna. Glenna Turnbull. Kelowna Daily Courier. August 30, 2012.
  4. Web site: Olesya Novikova. Golden Mask.