Natalia Petrovna Osipova () (born in Moscow, Russia^[1]) is an Russian ballet dancer currently performing with the Mikhailovsky Theater in St. Petersburg.^[2] Prior to dancing with the Mikhailovsky, Osipova danced with the Bolshoi Ballet. She cited "artistic freedom" as her reason for leaving.^[3]

From 1996 to 2004 she trained at the Moscow State Academy of Choreography where she studied with Marina Kotova and Marina Leonova. Upon graduation from the Academy, she was hired by the Bolshoi Ballet as a member of the corps de ballet. In 2005, she danced the part of Kitri in Alexei Fadeyechev's production of Don Quixote to much critical acclaim ^[4] After this solo debut she danced many more soloist parts, including the title role in the premiere of Johan Kobborg's production of La Sylphide.^[1] She was named one of "25 to Watch" by Dance Magazine in 2007.^[5] In 2009, she received the Prix Benois de la Danse.

In May 2010, Osipova was promoted to a principal dancer after a performance of Don Quixote.^[1] In June 2010, she joined American Ballet Theatre for their Metropolitan Opera House season. She danced Don Quixote, with Jos Manuel Carre o, Sleeping Beauty and Romeo and Juliet with David Hallberg.^[6] A week before her performance in The Sleeping Beauty, Osipova was mugged outside the MET. She suffered minor bruises, lost only a pair of pointe shoes and a small hammer used to shape them, but was fine other than that and was still able to perform.^[7]

Best performances and repertoire

Natalia's debut as Kitri in Don Quixote on 7 November 2005 ignited her career considerably.

Other notable roles are:

• The Spanish Bride in Swan Lake
• Nikiya and Gamzatti in La Bayad re
• The title roles in Giselle and in La Sylphide
• The title role in Romeo and Juliet

Awards

• Richard Sherrington Award for Best Female Dancer
• 2007 : UK National Dance Awards
• Golden Mask as Best Female Dancer for Twyla Tharp's "In The Upper Room"
• Positano Dance Award Leonide Massine
• Prize of the Golden Mask jury for best duet in "La Sylphide"
• 2009 : The International Dance Association Prix Benois de la Danse.

See also

• List of Russian ballet dancers

References

External links

• Natalia Osipova Official Page

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