Rostislav Zakharov
Encyclopedia
Rostislav Vladimirovich Zakharov was a Russia
n choreographer, dancer, ballet
and opera
director. He was a professor of Russian Academy of the Arts (GITIS)
in Moscow
(1951–1983). Awarded the State Prize of the USSR twice and designated the People's Artist of the USSR
(1969).
Zakharov is best known for choreographing The Fountain of Bakhchisaray (1934) and Cinderella
(1945).
. He studied acting and dance in Saint Petersburg
. In 1926–1929 he was a soloist and choreographer at both Kharkiv
and Kiev
ballet, while continuing to study at the Leningrad Theatre Institute (until 1932). During the period of 1930–1936, Zakharov was an actor and choreographer at Kirov Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Saint Petersburg
(now Mariinsky Theatre
), where he choreographed Cinderella
with music composed by Sergei Prokofiev
and The Fountain of Bakhchisarai (1934). In 1936–1960 he was a principal choreographer at the Bolshoi Theatre
in Moscow
, where he directed and choreographed the definitive version of Prokofiev's Cinderella. This production was adapted to film Khrustalnyy bashmachok Zolushki (1960) starring Raisa Struchkova in the main title role. Zakharov was a co-director of the movie and also contributed to the script and choreography.
He died on January 15, 1984 in Moscow
.
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
n choreographer, dancer, ballet
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
and opera
Opera
Opera is an art form in which singers and musicians perform a dramatic work combining text and musical score, usually in a theatrical setting. Opera incorporates many of the elements of spoken theatre, such as acting, scenery, and costumes and sometimes includes dance...
director. He was a professor of Russian Academy of the Arts (GITIS)
GITIS
The Russian University of Theatre Arts was founded on 22 September 1878 as the Shestakovsky Music School, became the Musico-Dramatic School of the Moscow Philharmonic Society in 1883, and was elevated to the status of a conservatory in 1886...
in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
(1951–1983). Awarded the State Prize of the USSR twice and designated the People's Artist of the USSR
People's Artist of the USSR
People's Artist of the USSR, also sometimes translated as National Artist of the USSR, was an honorary title granted to citizens of the Soviet Union.- Nomenclature and significance :...
(1969).
Zakharov is best known for choreographing The Fountain of Bakhchisaray (1934) and Cinderella
Cinderella (Prokofiev)
Cinderella is a ballet, Op. 87, composed by Sergei Prokofiev to a scenario by Nikolai Volkov. It is one of his most popular and melodious compositions, and has inspired a great many choreographers since its inception. The piece was composed between 1940 and 1944. Part way through writing it he...
(1945).
Biography
Zakharov was born on September 7, 1907 in AstrakhanAstrakhan
Astrakhan is a major city in southern European Russia and the administrative center of Astrakhan Oblast. The city lies on the left bank of the Volga River, close to where it discharges into the Caspian Sea at an altitude of below the sea level. Population:...
. He studied acting and dance in Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
. In 1926–1929 he was a soloist and choreographer at both Kharkiv
Kharkiv
Kharkiv or Kharkov is the second-largest city in Ukraine.The city was founded in 1654 and was a major centre of Ukrainian culture in the Russian Empire. Kharkiv became the first city in Ukraine where the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic was proclaimed in December 1917 and Soviet government was...
and Kiev
Kiev
Kiev or Kyiv is the capital and the largest city of Ukraine, located in the north central part of the country on the Dnieper River. The population as of the 2001 census was 2,611,300. However, higher numbers have been cited in the press....
ballet, while continuing to study at the Leningrad Theatre Institute (until 1932). During the period of 1930–1936, Zakharov was an actor and choreographer at Kirov Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet in Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...
(now Mariinsky Theatre
Mariinsky Theatre
The Mariinsky Theatre is a historic theatre of opera and ballet in Saint Petersburg, Russia. Opened in 1860, it became the preeminent music theatre of late 19th century Russia, where many of the stage masterpieces of Tchaikovsky, Mussorgsky, and Rimsky-Korsakov received their premieres. The...
), where he choreographed Cinderella
Cinderella (Prokofiev)
Cinderella is a ballet, Op. 87, composed by Sergei Prokofiev to a scenario by Nikolai Volkov. It is one of his most popular and melodious compositions, and has inspired a great many choreographers since its inception. The piece was composed between 1940 and 1944. Part way through writing it he...
with music composed by Sergei Prokofiev
Sergei Prokofiev
Sergei Sergeyevich Prokofiev was a Russian composer, pianist and conductor who mastered numerous musical genres and is regarded as one of the major composers of the 20th century...
and The Fountain of Bakhchisarai (1934). In 1936–1960 he was a principal choreographer at the Bolshoi Theatre
Bolshoi Theatre
The Bolshoi Theatre is a historic theatre in Moscow, Russia, designed by architect Joseph Bové, which holds performances of ballet and opera. The Bolshoi Ballet and Bolshoi Opera are amongst the oldest and most renowned ballet and opera companies in the world...
in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, where he directed and choreographed the definitive version of Prokofiev's Cinderella. This production was adapted to film Khrustalnyy bashmachok Zolushki (1960) starring Raisa Struchkova in the main title role. Zakharov was a co-director of the movie and also contributed to the script and choreography.
He died on January 15, 1984 in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
.