Why Ulyana Lopatkina is a Mariinsky Icon! You must know this ballerina. Ballet Legend.

Hi Everyone!
Welcome Back to my channel! Thank you for your support as always.
Today we are going to be looking at probably my favourite ballerina of all time for so many reasons, and that is none other than Mariinsky legend Ulyana Lopatkina.
She has retired now sadly, sorely missed! She is known most notably for her portrayal of Odette/Odile in Swan lake.
Her long lines ( she is tall like me around 177cm) and slender physique as well as extremely mobile arms and shoulders give her this uncanny resemblance to a swan. The way she uses the music and subtlety of nuances sets her apart from the rest.
In a day and age where tricks and turns are all the rage, I thought it would be an appropriate
Let me know your thoughts respectfully in the comments below :-)
Thank you for watching!
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Let us know if you have struggled with this and find it difficult to be honest with your teacher.
Enjoy!
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About Me
Hello everyone! my names Isabella.
I am the first British graduate of the Vaganova ballet academy in Saint Petersburg Russia. I was a soloist working with the Mikhailovsky Ballet and Eifman ballet.
Now I live in London as a full time coach
Here, on my channel I am sharing my passion with you all about the Vaganova technique amongst many other things related to ballet we all love.
It's a hard industry so I am here to help with my insights and knowledge to make it a little easier for you all, as well as to hopefully entertain you with my content.
Thank you for watching!
Isabella xo

[@denisehill7769]

This could have been made for me, I love Lopatkina. She danced from the soul, not just the body. Utter perfection, I so wish I could have seen her live. As for her lack of trickery - she could teach the younger generation a lot.

[@griffinzoo]

My thoughts too, couldn't have said it better!

[@denisehill7769]

@@griffinzoo I have to say, it doesn't take long watching her for tears to prickle. I missed out on a chance to see her at Covent Garden not that long before she retired; by the time I saw it advertised it had sold out (and the standing areas were £48!!) I'd have paid it and stood quite happily!

[@griffinzoo]

Same thing happened to me when she was on tour in NYC! My brother even got me a ticket and I couldn't make it 😔

[@denisehill7769]

@@griffinzoo Oh, no......heartbreaking! At least we can still watch her on YT :)

[@julianawinik8410]

Ulyana has been and will always be my number one ballerina. To me she epitomizes “ballerina.” I would spend HOURS in high school watching these KZbin videos. Truly ethereal 🤍

[@Ronald-qf3hc]

A real artist

[@karenjones9961]

I saw Uliana live in "Swan Lake" and she left me speechless. I own several dvds of her, but they do not compare with her lRL. She was an awesome prima! When she was asked about her peerless interpretation of "The Dying Swan," she said, "Pavlova - always inside this piece." She was a thinking ballerina. When she was a young student at Vaganova she mentioned that her idol was (then Kirov) prima ballerina, Galina Mezentseva. She said that when she was a little girl at Vaganova, that Mezentseva "...was a true Queen!" Everything that Uliana did was perfect. Sir Anton Dolin said this about Yvette Chauvire's "Giselle:" "Everything she did onstage was real: There was no camouflage and there were no tricks." This statement applies to Uliana Vyacheslavovna Lopatkina. She once revealed that she liked to prepare for a performance by listening to Bach. When I had first found out in 2017 from a friend that she had retired, she and I were devastated because she was at the top of her game. When she made her first entrance onstage in "Swan Lake" you immediately thought and felt - the Swan. Her presence on the ballet stage is sorely missed. Thank you for this tribute to her! Well done and keep up the good work!

[@Графоманство]

Спасибо за это видео. Я обожаю Ульяну. В моей жизни было счастье - я видела Лопаткину на сцене. Ездила специально в Петербург. "Жизель", "Лебединое озеро", "Бриллианты", "Кармен-Сюита", "Шехерезада". Ульяна - это пример поведения артистки на сцене и в жизни. Пример достойной жизни в искусстве. Интересный факт - Ульяна ушла со сцены в 2017 году, семь лет назад. А слава её только растет. Мы наслаждаемся каждым движением, каждым кусочком видеозаписи. Кажется, мы не успели до конца насладиться её искусством. Её слава продолжается. Так становятся легендами.

[@phoenixharrison8761]

Ulyana is my favourite ballerina. She is the best swan queen. So ethereal and elegant!!

[@redlantern3371]

She's the absolute definition of a beautiful ballerina. It's dificult to even try to describe this kind of quality, but you can see it. I see a sort of humbleness, and a little bit of a secret quality, nothing is in your face. She is enthralling. This video should be required viewing by any student. Especially those with professional aspirations.

[@Balletbabe485]

The nuance is what sets her apart. Never indulgent or distorted. A ballerina’s version of ‘perfect pitch’!

[@DarlinShelties]

Lopatkina is so elegant in her quick movements, none of the crazy frantic energy. She definitely has a beautiful musicality that is not solely connected to the rhythm. Gorgeous. I am a professional musician myself.

[@joyanngoddard2033]

Isabella, those courus forward look like she is a swan on the water!!! I am so glad you have highlighted this Prima Ballerina and the dying swan.. to me the the best dying swan ever. Somehow she makes her death so emotionally moving. The purity of her dancing is so wonderful. The artistry... I quite agree that today artistry and musicality are being ignored and replaced by those 10 pirrouettes. No thought of musicality or artistic interpretation.

[@ahones2255]

lopatkina has a natural elegance shaped by the best of the extraordinary school of Russian ballet.Her splendid Anna Karenina shows that she masters all registers

[@mariannefornelos6035]

Hi ! Uliana is also my favorite, have you seen her in “ Les trois gnossiennes “ from Hans van Mannen , music from Satie. I can watch this millions of times. She is a very humble, not those athletics that you see today. Bless her❤

[@andersons76]

Ulyana is a Goddess of ballet

[@balletgirl56]

Lopatkina is sublime. Gorgeous lines and musicality. She takes her time and fills the music. Love her. Thanks for sharing!

[@elenapg]

I remember seeing Ulyana Lopatkina on a magazine when I was really young and her photos alone made me want to do ballet and look ethereal like her. Now as an adult in my late 20s who's changed paths in life, as I'm currently a Pilates instructor, she still is my favourite ballerina ever and leaves me in awe every time I watch her.

[@peterhwang1224]

She reminds us that ballet is ultimately art, beauty, and sublimity. Today, when younger ballerinas are focused on high extensions, big jumps, multiple turns...I mourn that ballet has become more like a sport

[@kathleenlynch5763]

This has just come up and I as so pleased.Ulyana is undoubtedly my favourite dancer.i would have loved to have seen her on stage.i literally scour utube to find any vlog about her and I have watched each one over and over.she brings a lump to my throat when I see her dance.ive never danced but always adored Ballet.but Ulanya's dying swan to me nothing can compare.i was so sad when she retired.thank you.

[@ElinorBarker-r2h]

Her musicality combined with her incredible fluidity of movement mesmerises me every time i watch a video of her. For anyone who hasn't watched in the role, her Nikia (Bayadere) is incomparable.

[@alexandershaheen]

You're absolutely right that she has not always been appreciated outside of Russia. When I started obsessively watching ballet when I was a young teen (I'm 32 now) I honestly was not aware of her beyond hearing her name here and there. I stopped dancing for almost ten years and just started taking class again a few months ago and (I'm almost embarrassed to admit) it was only then that I really became enthralled with her dancing. I think my appreciation now for her also has something to do with maturity and how my perspective has changed and what is meaningful to me now as a viewer. Beyond her artistry onstage I'm also deeply moved listening to her speak about her craft and how she develops the characters she dances onstage. In one of the documentaries (I think it's the 'soul of the dance' on here) she talks about the role of Tatiana, and how love is not about possession but about generosity and selflessness. She really even speaks with the same elegance and subtlety that she moves.

[@EL-ub2df]

❤I absolutely love all her interviews and documentaries. The "Soul of the Dance" and "Variation Lesson" are two of my favorites.

[@teresadlh]

Isabella thank you for this, I could listen you for ages, it s all so interesting intelligent and beautiful … I find very sad Uliana’s story, don t know if she retired for an injury but it was so silently, … and also I sometimes think maybe she was kind of eclipsed with the arrival of Svetlana zakharova, is it possible?… I think also that could happened with Diana Vishnev,.. as if Svetlana eclipsed all them?(my theory, I don’t know)… (and I LOVE Svetlana ) Uliana has such a beautiful quality, what I love is that she looks an artist that doesn’t give herself importance, she is so great but she is not aware of it or doesn’t care, she is like superior or above of all this human “little” things… ego and recognition…she is just devoted to art and divine things, she does not have human worries…it s my feeling when I watch or listen to her

[@EL-ub2df]

You read my mind and correctly articulated my thoughts about Ulyana. She is such a beautiful soul❤ It is so attractive about her, that she devoted to art

[@siruixu4647]

Somehow I don't think they were eclipsed by Zakharova. I have this impression that while Lopatkina was still on stage she was extremely popular. Many Vaganova girls look up to her as role models, including the likes of Somova who later become prima ballerina herself. But then again, Zakharova is indeed a marvel. Lopatkina commented on Zakharova as a godsend gift to ballet who has ballet in her blood. I also remember one of my teacher who also happened to graduated from Vaganova and had worked in Mariinsky as a choreographer told me that what Zakharova was capable of doing with her feet was incredible. But personally I prefer Lopatkina over everybody else in this era.

[@Pearlaceous]

I was fortunate to see Lopatkina dance many times on the Mariinsky stage, and for me, she was the greatest ballerina I ever saw. There was nobody who had her beautiful arms, epaulement, purity of style and technique - she really was a St Petersburg ballet aristocrat. I also loved Asylmuratova and Stepanova, but for me, for sheer beauty of movement, Lopatkina is Queen.

[@Pearlaceous]

I saw Lopatkina as Nikiya, Odette-Odile, Giselle, Carmen, Mekhmene Bahnu, Raymonda, The Swan, ,in Diamonds, Symphony in C, as the Tsar Maiden in The Little Humpbacked Horse ... so many roles. I loved her in all of them. She was wonderful. I am so happy you have made this video, Isabella, to bring her to the public attention. As you say, she is underrated, and she was a subtle ballerina in an era where more and more it is the ballerinas with the technical tricks who gain the most renown.

[@elenaratelimit]

nice to see ur comment i remember u from russianballetvideos channel

[@elizzy8754]

​@@PearlaceousSo lucky! No-one can touch her in Raymonda she is a pure marvel in that role.

[@MyVaniuska]

I love her Dying Swan.... The best! She really IS the swan....Amazing!!!! Sooo beautiful!!!

[@victoriagibson411]

You know you are watching someone special, when it looks supernatural what they are doing. Almost like this person is not human. Beautiful❤

[@denisemew4185]

She is a beautiful dancer, lovely lines love her arms, one of my all-time Russian favourites, pure artist.

[@rodeobadoeyenhausen]

I’m so pleased you have featured her on your channel. I saw here at the ROH with the Marinsky in around 2012 ( front row seats) She was utterly incomparable and the final scene brought many tears. We saw Zakharova the following year, and although the Bolshoi ending is different, and although I was expecting Zakharova to be even better, the performance wasn’t as good. Incidentally, I believe Zakharova is the best in the world currently, we’ve since seen her many times ( and met her ❤) and playing the lead in Spartacus surrounded by BC Denisova, Rodkin and Belyakov she absolutely shone. It’s so upsetting that we can’t see these companies anymore unless you’re prepared to go the China or Dubai…

[@brendastevens9077]

I Loved that she brought me into her world. I could feel her emotions. I feel her hands, and feet are extensions of her soul and is evident on her face.😊❤

[@TwanWu]

Isabella, having studied at the Vaganova itself, can you analyze how different Lopatkina's arms are compared to the arms of other Vaganova ballerinas, like Altynai, Olga or Olesya Novikova? To me the arms of the other ballerinas look beautiful as well, very shapely and harmonious, but Lopatkina's arms are still somewhat unique. Is it a physique thing or did she have a special arm trick up her sleeve, can you dissect that?

[@saelind73]

Lopatkina is the ultimate Swan, for me. Also, I love her in "A Legend of Love" (or "The Legend of Love" depending,) and Jewels. She is a true beauty. She is my absolute favorite also because she always stayed true to herself as a ballerina. She wasn't into "let's do everything" type of ballerina. She knew herself deeply and I loved that about her. She didn't look for notoriety in ballet, she looked for its (her) soul. If someone asks me; What's a ballerina? I would say; Lopatkina. She is the embodiment of a ballerina.

[@sebumpostmortem]

Her leg ratios have always driven me crrrrazy😍. Her tibia bone has almost the same length than her foot en pointe. Not to talk about how curvy protruding the instep is. From skull to toe, literally, a skeletal fantasy filled with a unique movement. One in a gazillion🖤

[@izzybellataylor]

I love her height, although limiting, she still managed to pull through. Ulyana Lopatkina and her immaculate port de bras, she carries the grace of a true vaganova/mariinsky ballerina. Nothing ever comes close to the legend that she is, def a fave. ❤

[@christenawalker2944]

I love how her top and bottom move almost independently. One does not affect the other.

[@black___swan]

I loved this! Used to dance ballet when I was younger, but stopped and watching Ulyana reminded me why I love ballet as an art form... her lines are so fluid and graceful. Even though ballet is very technical, her essence combined with her skill is truly ethereal to watch...thank you for sharing 💗

[@SofIv2016]

Uliana is one of the best ballerinas who ever performed. It is hard to feel this when you watch a video; but the moment she is on stage, she captures your eyes with her majestic moves, and you can’t watch anyone else. It is pure magic, can’t be described otherwise!

[@BarbaraT.]

I remember seeing her for the first time many years ago, in an obscure ballet documentary. And immediately fell in love.

[@nicoleweber4994]

I've never seen her live on stage, unfortunately. I became enthralled with her dancing in the documentary "Ballerina" and have watched countless videos of her dancing since. I love her as Nikiya and in the legend of love. She dances with so much intelligence and musicality and I think that's what I admire most about her. She is someone I would love to talk with as I think her personality and intelligence shine through in her dance and when she speaks. Having said that I think that other dancers have other qualities that shine through in other roles. Diana Vishneva's Carmen and her Giselle are just sublime. She embodies them so very well. I would love your thoughts on her as well. They are both exquisite dancers and so different from each other.

[@kristiLB93]

Oh YES! Ulyana Lopatkina!!!! She is one of my favorites as well! I don't think I've ever seen a more beauuuutiful Swan - her arms are other worldly! No one captures that role as she does. I totally agree with all the details you pointed out. I know you didn't her La Bayadere - it's wonderful! She really epitomizes the vision of what a classical ballerina is. I just love her lines and carriage. Thank you for showing her.

[@michaelgarcia2973]

I very much admire the Ballerina Ulyana she is so elegant and beautiful.

[@marysullivan2125]

I was so lucky to see her at Covent Garden and what I remember most distinctly is the wit and coquettishness she brought to Titania and Marguerite. Incredible that anyone could criticise her technique or strength as she’s one of those dancers who never brings any attention to effort- always so secure and relaxed, in the moment and playful with the music. She had a reputation for the serious roles but obviously has a deep understanding of characterisation that’s wonderful and entertaining. I totally agree about her hands and gestures. Long or large hands could be a liability but she has total control and conveys so much between steps to create fluidity and incredible expression.

[@haraldwem]

Eine traumhafte Tänzerin, ein non plus ultra, vielen Dank für diese wunderbare Präsentation, Isabella!

[@katarinarabekova3396]

I love Lopatkina! I learned my first variation, Swan Lake, Odette, act 2, watching a video of her. I love artists with real depth and quality, they are who make any art form a real art ❤

[@mjoyazz5799]

This was absolutely beautiful. Her arms are amazing but her legs are so graceful too.

[@elainesutton7183]

Thank you for introducing me to Ulyana Lopatkina. I'm only a recreational ballet dancer but I do truly love the art and enjoy watching and learning what I can from such exemplary dancers. I appreciate you curating this and offering your detailed analysis of what makes Lopatkina's performances so exceptional. I had to smile when you said "She really is a ballerina, you know?" Isabella you are also exceptional and incredibly motivational to so many.

[@seaofglass77]

A professional dancer friend of mine, principal at Ballet West, said one of his favorite compliments was "I was not stessed." As in, he was able to pass on a calm feeling to the audience via his relaxed appearance. Mastery of movement at rhe highest level.

[@catara.]

One and only, perfection and pure art💗

[@thabilegabuza6376]

Thank you for showcasing Lopatkina , my all-time favorite. Love your channel

[@renatobarbosadossantos5530]

YES! She Lopatkina is a LEGEND. I am such a huge fan that I even used her name in some of my passwords in the past lol. So glad I had the chance to watch her perform the Dying Swan in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Just WOW.

[@leoatashi]

Yes, she is my absolute number one. Thanking you for highlighting her artistic quality and her beauty.

If you watch a muted video of her dancing with no sound at all you will see that her dance creates the music. Nunez is another dancer that does that. Every movement is dance art and living in the character. No ugly preparations for the turns, no awkward in-between steps, her movements melt in each other. I dare day I like her swan arms more than any others, Plitsheskaya's included, they look like wings not snakes. Her dying swan clearly dies of a broken heart, not stabbed, not sick or otherwise wounded, and the music is her last song. Not many dancers give you that feeling.

[@joannerupinskas5613]

I had the wonderful privilege of seeing her in Swan Lake in Austria in the late ‘90’s. Only two swan queens have taken my breath away: Cynthia Gregory and Lopatkina. Ulyana was phenomenal and yes, her arms and facial expressions contributed vastly to her greatness.

[@DudeEM]

As for those saying that she has been left behind by the younger, stronger ballet dancers with their abilities to do harder moves & turns, they are all fit into a box labelled “stronger, more athletic ballet dancers.” Lopatkina, is all alone in her league. Nobody can compare to her. Those arms alone….. “shivers.”

[@edwinnavarro6017]

She is just PERFECT ... Isabella please include more of her performances.. Bayadere for example

[@averycutecat1852]

I totally agree with your commentary of her subtle and nuanced beauty. I don't know why nowadays so many things people like are very strong stimulus, which feel like a punch on the face and as an audience my eyes feel fatigue after a while.

[@justwondrin]

Gosh, I’ve never cried at the dying swan before this.

[@brendamackinnon3607]

Thank you, Isabella for another great video! I found a documentary on Amazon Prime about Ulyana that I’m looking forward to watching!

[@twoscoopz4944]

Other dancers look like gymnasts compared to Lopatkina-The Ballerina. She will always be my favorite.

[@mlk1965]

Her dying swan moved me to tears.

[@Vale-kg3vd]

I always liked her because she has amazing lines and extensions but does not look like a gymnast but like a ballerina

[@elenaratelimit]

ps - what i find so unique is that she truly incorporates the music into everything on another level than most. more than just musicality she becomes it

[@isabelaandzico]

Ulyana has been my favorite since I was at Academy in Moscow!!! She’s someone I was encouraged to watch from the beginning to manage my long arms and legs! The GOAT 🐐 🦢🩰🇷🇺❤️ 3:51

[@brendastevens9077]

That's real dancing. She becomes the character. I absolutely love her. Could you have her on you tube?🥰

[@maries3433]

You are so right!

[@K_ballet]

Wow! I never really thought about only doing the arms to nail that part down. She is classic and beautiful.

[@ЕвгенийЖогин-т4н]

Thank you, Isabella!!!❤❤❤

[@isabelaandzico]

Ulyana has been my favorite since I was at Academy in Moscow!!! She’s someone I was encouraged to watch from the beginning to manage my long arms and legs! The GOAT 🐐 🦢🩰🇷🇺❤️ 3:51 She can dance with just her arms 5:14

[@anaicotrim9557]

Superb artist.

[@Clara-hg1hd]

Thankyou Isabella. I love your sit down analytic videos, I learn so much.

[@gonefishing167]

Just sheer beauty. Thank you Isabella 👍👍🩰🩰🩰👵🇦🇺

[@erin3292]

Oh I love this post! She is one my most favorites 🙏✨🌸🦢

[@bellamywoodside5342]

thank you for such an awesome video! first time to your channel and first time seeing lopatkina. i am entranced and i'm so glad you took the time to share and explain the artistry at work here. it's an interesting example of a classic question within artistry, and not that there isn't artistry to great dramatic flourishes (ie, 10 pirouettes) but this really speaks to the subtlety and power of the artist and following your inner voice to find your individual expression. i'm curious, the way you spoke about it made me think she had particularly devoted herself to hands/arms/etc? do you have any more info on that? thanks for the video!

[@SephoraDuLac]

Emotional to watch. That's what a dancer is, in my opinion. While ballet is the epitome of technical.. the technicality is the platform that the emotion of the dance floats upon. Technical tricks only is like a grand platform, with nothing on it. which is quite a lot to do for nothing.

[@elfa9191]

❤

[@elenikominos7404]

You have the feel for the Ballet or you don't. Simple.

[@isabelaandzico]

In the dictionary, Je ne sais quoi should have her photo right next to it AND she can turn to the left too! 16:47

[@Mati-jx1re]

How do you keep your legs so slim?? I train a lot, you train a lot but i’m much bulkier and i don’t know whyy. Does it have something to do with your diet?? I really wanna know

[@olgamatveeva3188]

It’s mostly genetics+ exercise.

[@Mati-jx1re]

@@olgamatveeva3188 there is no way that I can’t become a ballet dancer just because I wasn’t born with good genetics. That’s so sad! :((

[@olgamatveeva3188]

@@Mati-jx1re you can become a dancer if you want. You’ll just have your own legs, looks, style.

[@arat9144]

@@Mati-jx1re You can, but not in ballet.

[@catara.]

Healthy diet and vaganova exercises. Vaganova will "give"you lean muscles while other methods have a tendency to gain bulkier muscles.

[@wonderfulmice]

Meghan's ballet less.

[@sidoniesera]

Lopatkina is one of my great favorites. Definitely my favorite post-Soviet Russian ballerina. There's such a purity to her movement and I like that she's not so extreme with her extensions, etc. Just pure beauty

[@annelafferty6888]

I saw here dancing ‘In the night’ at Mariinsky in 2016 and she got a standing ovation. I have on video her dancing Swan Lake (had never heard of her back then) but what stood out to me was her beautiful back !

[@ellenolenska9141]

Her Paquita variation makes me cry. It’s so beautiful. To me, she is the best Nikiya in La Bayadere. So soulful. Her authentic emotion and her musicality or timing make her unique. She also isn’t big on exaggerated leg extensions, which makes her look more elegant than other dancers.

[@operaguy1]

I heard her say she prefers Odette to Odille, because she did not like to put on the evil aspect of the black swan.

[@georginareid3828]

She will always be my favorite dancer …. Love her ! That dying swan was beautiful .. thank you 🙏

[@noopy99]

What is she doing now? Is she teaching or coaching? I have to admit that I didn't know much about her prior to Marianela Nunez posting about Ulyana.

[@Графоманство]

Я слышала, что она полностью сменила сферу деятельности. Она всегда очень любила рисовать, посещала мастер-клпссы. Думаю, она выбрала что-то, связанное с изобразительным искусством.

[@flynnstelfox2661]

This is such apt timing because I watched her in Swan Lake this evening! I first watched her in the documentary "Ballerina" which took place after her 2 year break and i was immediately taken by her.

[@salpsalp]

Lopatkina’s swan lake pas de deux and odette, and also Cicchetti and student pas de deux, are absolutely sublime!!

[@elenaratelimit]

pps - i remember a video about her speaking of how Kurgapkina guided her to better use of her long elegant limbs too, so sad youtube removes so much stuff

[@Balletlover777]

My story is the same as you!!! My dad who is also not a ballet dancer noticed her immediately and is now his favorite ballerina

[@a.phillips6892]

I knew immediately she was an unmatched ballerina. I followed her for many years, but sadly, she disappeared. I never knew the reason, and I distinctly remember thinking what a terrible loss. I’ve heard very little since then. I truly adored her.

[@lacarlotta6290]

She’s exquisite, thanks for doing this!

[@olgamozera619]