Biography of Agrippina Yakovlevna Vaganova
Born
June 26, 1879 in St. Petersburg, Russia, Agrippina Yakovlevna Vaganova
began her ballet training in her hometown at the Imperial Theatre School.
Under the tutelage of Lev Ivanov, Pavel Gerdt, and Nikolai Legat, Vaganova
completed her dance studies in 1897. Vaganova promptly joined the Marinsky
Theatre, where she danced alongside such ballet stars as Anna Pavlova,
Tamara Karsavina, and Mathilde Kchessinska. Due to the great depth of
talent housed in the Marinsky Theatre, Vaganova was not promoted to ballerina
status until 1915, the year before her retirement from the stage. Dubbed
“The Queen of Variations”, Vaganova was renowned for her stellar
jumping ability and performance of intricate batterie. She was
noted for her portrayal of Odette/Odile in Swan Lake and her performance
of the mazurka variation in Les Sylphides.
Agrippina Vaganova taught at the Imperial Theatre School from 1917-1951
(the year of her death), and served as director of the Kirov Ballet from
1931-1937. In 1957, the school where the daughter of a Marinsky Theatre
usher took her first ballet steps was re-named the Vaganova Institute
in her honor.
Because of the teaching method that she created, Agrippina Vaganova has
become one of the most important ballet teachers in history. Vaganova
married the romantic style of the French ballet and dramatic soulfulness
of the Russian character with the athletic virtuosity that characterizes
the Italian school to reform the old imperial style of ballet teaching.
Vaganova created a program of study that trains the body as a harmonious
whole, with an emphasis on proper placement. Vaganova’s system of
teaching became and remains the foundation of ballet technique not only
in the former Soviet choreographic school, but also throughout Europe,
Asia, and South America.
The Vaganova Method and its place at Loyola
The Vaganova Method of Classical Ballet is taught at all levels in the
Loyola University Program and Preparatory Program alike. This scientifically
proven method involves the systematic and progressive study of all ballet
movements by breaking them down into their separate elements. The aim
of the method is the complete coordination of the entire body in order
to achieve artistic dancing.
The Vaganova ballet curriculum, taught at Loyola since 1978, combines
the classical French court influence with the Russian folk dance traditions.
Students of the Vaganova method learn classical ballet technique, pointe,
classical repertory, adagio, virtuoso technique for men, partnering, character
dance, and historical court dance.
Early training focuses on epaulement, or the stylized turning
of the shoulders and body. Attention is given to the correctly placed
body and proper use of the hands. Harmonious coordination of the body
and continuity of movement is linked with total stability and great strength
in the back. This core of strength enables the dancer to soar through
the air and deftly maneuver his body. High jumps and turns then appear
light and effortless. The dancer moves in a big way, dancing over the
individual steps and musical phrases in a continuous movement.
The Vaganova method is characterized by impeccable precision, attention
to detail, ease of execution, an energetic style, emotion-evoking grace,
individual creativity, and vigor. Virtuosity is not an aim in itself,
but a means of artistic expression. To dance without style? Why, that
would be pointless!
