I loved watching Struchkova in the film version of "Cinderella" and in the excerpts from "The Stone Flower" in "Bolshoi '67" (both are available on video). She was one of those dances who express, above all, the joy of dancing. I'm very lucky to have seen her on the Bolshoi's first tours to the US.

Another truly great Russian ballerina has left the world...I loved her in the Cinderella film, too. My Mom took me to see it whenever it was playing at the theatres when I was growing up. She will be sorely missed by many...

Former Bolshoi ballerina and teacher Raissa Struchkova died on 2nd May. Here is an obituary from todays Times.

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0, ... 13,00.html

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Raissa Struchkova
Russian Ballerina of unsurpassed daring and virtuosity who thrilled British audiences with her Bolshoi performances. From The Times:


WHEN the Bolshoi Ballet made its thrilling debut in the West at the Covent Garden Royal Opera House in October 1956, its great ballerina Galina Ulanova won such universal high praise on opening night that spectators later in the season tended to disappointment if they found she was not dancing at their performance. But that disappointment almost certainly vanished after they had seen Raissa Struchkova, who took turns with Ulanova in the roles of Juliet and Giselle, or was herself the first cast in The Fountain of Bakhchisarai.

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