Ekaterina Maksimova is one of the most prominent Russian and Soviet ballerinas. In addition to virtuoso choreographic technique, she was distinguished by incredible charm and outstanding acting talent. The sudden departure of the great ballerina was a shock for her family, colleagues, students, as well as for thousands and thousands of fans not only in Russia, but all over the world.
The body of Ekaterina Maximova, who died on April 28, 2009, was found in her apartment by her mother. According to doctors, the cause of death of the ballerina was acute heart failure.
Even on the eve, nothing foreshadowed trouble. Ekaterina Sergeevna felt well and even went out for a walk with the dog. On April 28 she was expected to attend a rehearsal at the Kremlin Ballet Theater. None of the colleagues could even imagine that Ekaterina Maksimova would never cross the threshold of the theater again.
"Little Elf" of the Bolshoi Theater
Katya Maksimova dreamed of dancing since childhood and at the age of 10 she became a student at the Moscow Choreographic School. Even during her studies, Maksimova made her debut as Masha in Tchaikovsky's ballet The Nutcracker. Almost immediately after graduation, Ekaterina Maksimova became a soloist of the Bolshoi Theater. During her foreign tours, the American press called the young ballerina "a wonderful little elf."
It is not surprising that on the country's main ballet stage Maksimova performed all the central parts of the classical repertoire: Giselle in the ballet of the same name by Adam, Kitri in Don Quixote by Minkus, Odette - Odile and Aurora in Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake and Sleeping Beauty. The ballerina danced a lot in the works of the modern repertoire, which since then have also become classics - Cinderella and Juliet in Prokofiev's ballets, Phrygia in Khachaturian's Spartacus.
Maximova on television and cinema screens
The acting and choreographic talent of Ekaterina Maksimova was revealed in a new way in the wonderful films-ballets Galatea, Anyuta and Old Tango. In addition, Maksimova played the main role in the feature film Fouette, the choreographic solution of which was created by her husband, an outstanding dancer and choreographer Vladimir Vasiliev.
Ekaterina Sergeevna was not like other ballet prima donnas. She never took part in intrigues and scandals. It is not for nothing that Maksimova was called the Great Silence of the Bolshoi Theater.
In 1975, Ekaterina Maksimova received a severe spinal injury, but managed to overcome the disease and return to the stage. Of course, over the years, old injuries did not stop hurting her, but Ekaterina Sergeevna always behaved like a real queen.
Years have passed since that sad day when Ekaterina Maksimova passed away. But she is still remembered and loved by connoisseurs of the true art of ballet of various generations.
