Ulyana Vyacheslavovna Lopatkina (Russian: Ульяна Вячеславовна Лопаткина; born 23 October 1973) is a Russian prima ballerina who performed with the Mariinsky Theatre from 1991–2017. She studied at the Vaganova Academy with Natalia Dudinskaya. Upon graduation Lopatkina joined the Kirov/Mariinsky Theatre Ballet in 1991, and was promoted to principal dancer in 1995.[1][2] Lopatkina did not dance during the 2016–2017 season due to injury, and her retirement from the Mariinsky was announced on the company's website on 16 June 2017.[3]
Performances and repertoire
Lopatkina excels in classic and dramatic roles. She is a perfect example of the Russian (Kirov) school with long limbs, great strength and a classical purity of line, as well as noted musicality.[4][5]
Lopatkina was married to architect and writer Vladimir Kornev until their divorce in 2010. They have a daughter, Masha, born 2002.[6][7]
Lopatkina revealed details about her daily life in an interview to The Sunday Times in 2005. She wakes up between 9am to 10am. At the Kirov, she first attends a class with other dancers and followed this with a personal rehearsal with Ninel Kurgapkina, until the latter's death. After a break, Lopatkina has more rehearsals or helps teaching younger dancers.[7]
Lopatkina is a tall ballerina: she is 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) and wears shoes size 10.5 US (8 UK). Lopatkina uses two pairs of shoes in each performance which are specially made for her.[8]
Awards
International Vaganova-prix Competition (St. Petersburg, 1991).
