Now 75 years old, Maya Plisetskaya (right) still performs as a ballerina. At left is Julia Titus, senior lector of Russian, who translated the dancer's talk during a Calhoun College master's tea on Sept. 20.

Famed Bolshoi Theatre ballerina
describes a life devoted to dance

Ballerina Maya Plisetskaya entered the Calhoun College master's house on Sept. 20 to loud applause and a standing ovation. The former star of the Bolshoi Theatre was not there to perform, however, but to discuss her life and her new book, "I, Maya Plisetskaya," at a master's tea. Although ballet has been called a mute art, Plisetskaya matter-of-factly described what led her to express herself in her autobiography, published this year in an English translation by Yale University Press. "I kept journals all my life," she said, speaking through her translator, Julia Titus, senior lector of Russian in the Department of Slavic Languates and Literatures. "I had so much material that it became a good idea to publish it as a book." For those who had never had the chance to watch her dance, Plisetskaya started the tea by showing a video of her solo performances in such ballets as "Carmen," "Raymonda" and "Swan Lake." Many viewers looked from the television to the in-person Plisetskaya then back to the television again, as if trying to reconcile the ethereal figure flitting across the screen with the flesh and blood figure sitting before them. Some who attended the tea were lucky to have once seen Plisetskaya dance in person. One woman clutched a program she had saved since her childhood. "I saw you dance when I was eight years old in New York City, and I brought the program. I always kept it, I don't know why, but I hope you'll sign it for me," she said. "I never became a dancer, but many times in my life I thought back on your performance and it made me try harder to be more beautiful in everything I do." Another woman timidly raised her hand to speak to her idol. "When I was a little girl I always dreamed of being a ballerina and dreamed of having a chance to see you, but I never saw you dance," she said in Russian, her voice shaky with nervousness. "It's a strange twist of fate because we used to live so close and I never saw you, and now in the U.S. I see you." Plisetskaya survived Stalin's purges in the 1930s, although her parents and brother were not so lucky. She became a soloist in the Bolshoi Theatre in 1943 at the age of 18, going on to perform most of the significant roles in classical ballet, such as Aurora from "Sleeping Beauty," Myrtha from "Giselle," Kitri from "Don Quixote" and the Dying Swan in "Swan Lake." Plisetskaya continues to perform today at the age of 75. Asked what was the secret to her success in a field as competitive as ballet, Plisetskaya responded, "I didn't try to achieve anything. I just danced." -- By JinAh Lee T H I SW E E K ' SS T O R I E S Yale will proceed with Tercentennial celebration Peabody's insects inspire fascination in scholars far and near Talk by philanthropist surgeon to open United Way appeal Service of Remembrance J. Lloyd Suttle is appointed deputy provost Benefit concert to help families of tragedy's fallen Convocation to celebrate Yale's long tradition of theological education . . . Grant supports professors' study of dwindling voter turnout Panelists share experiences on matters of gender Famed Bolshoi Theatre ballerina describes a life devoted to dance Forest management certification program is launched Students win grants for environmental research around the world Insects are special of the day on Peabody Museum menu Remembering the struggle Trumbull Lecture will examine 1828 treatise on liberal education Employee Day at the Bowl Campus Notes Bulletin Home|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News|Bulletin Board Yale Scoreboard|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Deadlines Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs Home|News Releases| E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page