Gala Concert Celebrating the 100th Anniversary of Maya Plisetskaya in Abu Dhabi

Maya Plisetskaya (1925–2015), one of the greatest ballerinas of the 20th century, was often referred to by her contemporaries as the “First Lady of Dance.” She represented a rare example of exceptional artistic longevity, having performed on stage for nearly sixty years and leaving behind a rich legacy in both Russian and world culture. Her work became an entire era in the history of ballet.

The program of the evening will include renowned works from Maya Plisetskaya’s repertoire that have become part of ballet history, such as Carmen Suite, The Dying Swan, Don Quixote, as well as excerpts from Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, The Stone Flower, Spartacus, Raymonda, Walpurgis Night, Shurale, Laurencia, and the choreographic miniature Melody from the opera Orpheus and Eurydice.

The gala concert will feature leading soloists from Russia’s most prestigious ballet theatres.

Among the performers are a principal ballerina of the Bolshoi Theatre, a People’s Artist of Russia, honored artists and international competition laureates, as well as soloists of the Mariinsky Theatre — distinguished representatives of the finest Russian ballet tradition.

Their artistry, technical excellence, and stage presence embody the enduring legacy of classical ballet