What does fate promise a young ballerina if she reaches the Mecca of the ballet arts, the Mariinsky Theater, straight after school, and almost immediately becomes a soloist? Unbelievable success and deserved fame, victories in international contests and invitations from the leading ballet theaters of the world. That is what happened to Diana Vishneva, prima ballerina of the Mariinsky Theatre.

Diana Vishneva was born in Leningrad on 13 July, 1976. At the age of six she started dancing in the choreographic studio at the Pioneer's Palace and in 1987 entered the Agrippina Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet. L. V. Belskaya was her first teacher, and during her last year she studied under L. V. Kovalyova.

In 1994, the promising student went to Lausanne to take part in the world famous competition "Prix de Lausanne." This international competition takes place annually in the Swiss city of Lausanne and at present has a reputation as the most prestigious contest for young ballet dancers from all over the world. The age requirement for the participants is from 15 to 17 years. The awardees gain the right to work experience in one of the state ballet schools working with Lausanne, including the Queen's in London and New York ballet schools). In Lausanne, Diana danced the "Carmen" solo created especially for her by the artistic director of the Academy Igor Belsky, winning the Grand Prix "Gold Medal." Just by taking a brief glance at the list of the laureates, one can get an impression of the jury's strictness: fourteen years before, only boys could win the "Gold Medal," and since then, nobody has yet received the highest prize.

Diana Vishneva's brisk professional development began with a win in the competition. She combined her last studying year with a probation period in the Mariinsky Theater, where she was immediately given solo roles. While still a student, she danced the part of Kitri in "Don Quixote." To this day, it is impossible to forget the character of young Kitri that she created. With a childlike awkwardness, fresh in her youth, striking in her unique style … For this role, Diana was a recipient of the "Benua de la dance" prize.

While still a student of the Vaganova Academy, Vishneva performed in a gala concert dedicated to the memory of Rudolf Nuriyev in Toronto in 1995. In this concert, she danced together with Vladimir Malakhov. Malakhov, the premier dancer of three of the most famous ballet troupes, had an excellent partner in this young ballerina, the collaboration lasting for many years.

Diana graduated from the College in 1995 and was admitted into the Mariinsky Theater troupe, where O. Chenchikova became her teacher-coach. At that time, the ballets of George Balanchine were returning to the stage of the Mariinsky, with productions patronized by the New York Balanchine Fund. Having joined the troupe, Vishneva received a role in the very first premier. In February 1996 the first performance of Balanchine's "Symphony in C" was held. Vishneva danced the solo role in the third part, partnered by Sergey Vikharev. For this role, she was awarded the St. Petersburg "Golden Sophit" theatrical prize.

"Benua de la dance", the "Golden Sophit" – and all this came when the young dancer had not even become a prima ballerina at the Mariinsky Theater. Nevertheless, that soon came, with Diana officially becoming a soloist at the Mariinsky in 1996, and in the same year she received the "La Divina Prize."

In 1996, Diana Vishneva took part in the following performances and tours: in February, the main roles in "Don Quixote" performed at the Bolshoi Theatre (with Farukh Ruzimatov); in the same month, the solo role in the first movement of J. Robbins "In the Night" (with Viktor Baranov).

In April Diana Vishneva debuted as Juliet in a production of "Romeo and Juliet" dedicated to Galina Ulanova (her partner was Viktor Baranov). After the performances she was again awarded the "La Divina Prize", the first presentation having taken place in the Bolshoi Theatre in February. In June, Vishneva for the very first time danced as Fanny Cerrito in A. Dolin's "Pas de Quatre" on the Hermitage Theatre stage.

In September, Diana Vishneva debuted as Aurora in "The Sleeping Beauty." Her first appearance in London took place during the "Nutcracker Tours" of the Mariinsky Theatre at the Coliseum Theatre (December, 1996 – January, 1997). At the opening ceremony of the tour, she danced Masha, partnered by Farukh Ruzimatov.

In 1997, Diana Vishneva returned to the place of her first triumph – Lausanne, but already as a guest star taking part in a gala concert. She danced the Pas de Deux from "Le Corsaire” together with Carlos Acosta.

The year 1997 brought a new role for the young ballerina – she danced the title role in "The Firebird" ballet for the fist time. Diana again took part in the summer tour of the Mariinsky Theatre to the London Coliseum. The title roles in "Don Quixote," "Symphony in C", "Sleeping Beauty", "Romeo and Juliet", "The Firebird" and "Spectre de la Rose" were in her repertoire during that tour.

By the 215-th ballet season of the Mariinsky Theatre, Diana Vishneva had acquired the status of an acknowledged star. She is one of those few prima ballerinas of the famous troupe who present "the face" of the Theatre. Spirited and flamboyant, Diana Vishneva belongs to the new generation of charismatic ballerinas-actresses who bring their own unique style to any classical role. On 12 October, 1997 the Mariinsky Theatre began its new season with "Romeo and Juliet." Diana Vishneva and Igor Zelensky shone at the opening show.

Diana took an active part in all of her theatre’s tours. November – the concert of stars in New Jersey, where Vishneva danced the Pas de Deux from "Romeo and Juliet," partnered by Viktor Baranov, the "Carmen" solo choreographed by I. Belsky, and the Pas de Deux from "Le Corsaire" with Farukh Ruzimatov. In November – the gala concert on the Lincoln Center stage, dedicated to Sergei Diaghilev. Here, Diana danced "Spectre de la Rose" with Vladimir Malakhov and Tchaikovsky and Balanchine's Pas de Deux with Vyacheslav Samodurov.

In February, 1998, the links between two great Russian theatres – the Mariinsky and the Bolshoi – were reestablished. Diana took part in the exchange tours: Kitri in “Don Quixote” with Farukh Ruzimatov, the first duet from "In the Night" in the "An Evening of American Choreography" programme, and the Grand Pas variation from "Paquita" in the gala concert.

In June, 1998, Roland Petit produced his ballets "Le Jeune Homme et la Mort" and "Carmen" on the stage of the Mariinsky Theatre. In "Carmen," Diana Vishneva and Farukh Ruzimatov performed the title roles in the second premiere performance on 26 July. An alluring, teasing Carmen, in Vishneva's interpretation, sparkles and shimmers on the stage like a precious stone. Not only Diana's legs and arms are dancing – she dances with her eyes, locks, and the unique lines of her every movement.

In the same month, Vishneva and Ruzimatov received the Baltika brewery prize for "Best Duet". Is it possible to express yourself within the strict canon of classical ballet? That is what these two outstanding dancers managed to do. The narrow boundaries of the classic tradition do not suppress their individuality, but reveal their talent. The traditional roles are filled with new content, developing stunning performances.

Despite this, the young ballerina was longing to test herself in modern choreography. This took place in 1999, when Diana Vishneva danced the solo role in Alexey Ratmansky's "Le Poeme de l`Extase". In 2000, the young but very popular choreographer produced on the Mariinsky Theatre stage a sensational performance of Prokofiev's "Cinderella", having put it on especially for Diana. But more of that below. Keeping to the chronology of events, we should mention Vishneva's participation in the Mariinsky tour in Graze (Austria) in the summer of 1998, where she danced "Sleeping Beauty" at the opening of the tour.

In February 1999, Diana debuted in the main role in "Giselle". During the 1998-1999 season, the Mariinsky Theatre began attempting to reconstruct old productions. On April 30, 1999, the theatre premiered the new-old "Sleeping Beauty," reconstructed by Sergey Vikharev. At the premiere, Vishneva danced the role of Princess Aurora, partnered by Andrian Fadeyev.

In the summer of 1999, the Mariinsky Theatre performed on tour in New York. Vishneva danced "Sleeping Beauty", "Giselle", "Symphony in C"and Tchaikovsky and Balanchine's Pas de Deux.

During the following season, the Mariinsky Theatre began to stage Balanchine's ballets. The first major ballet, the triptych "Jewels", drew an extensive response from the mass media. At the premier, on 30 October, 1999, Diana Vishneva performed the solo role in the second part, "Rubies." Diana in this role was a genuine "ruby": her flamboyant dancing style, gushing energy and perfect technique are naturally suited to this role.

The next premier of the season Kenneth MacMillan's "Manon" became one of Diana's favourite roles. The delicate and passionate, self-sacrificing and devotedly loving Manon is deeply sensed and understood by the ballerina. At the second "Mariinsky" festival, in 2002, she was stunning together with the famous Manuel Legri, the Paris Grand Opera premier danseur. She danced the same role in November 2001 and January 2002 with the troupe of the Bavarian State Ballet in Munich (partnered by Alen Bottaini). For the role of Manone, as well as for the solo role in "Rubies", Vishneva was nominated for the Golden Mask theatrical prize.

In Summer 2000, the grand tour of the Mariinsky Theatre took place in London, on the Covent Garden stage: 18 ballets and 16 opera performances. The Mariinsky became the first foreign troupe to perform on the Covent Garden stage after its reconstruction. Vishneva opened the first part of the tour with " Sleeping Beaty" (with Igor Zelensky), and then danced the solo role in "Rubies". During the second part of the tour, Diana performed the title roles in "Don Quixote", "Sleeping Beauty", "Romeo and Juliet" and " Sheherazade". Indeed, this tour can be described as triumphant.

Since 2001, the International Festival of the "Mariinsky" Ballet has been held in the Mariinsky Theatre, becoming a unique ballet celebration. It gathers a huge number of ballet fans, mass media representatives from Moscow and from abroad. Famous soloists as well as entire ballet troupes take part in the festival. In February, 2001, at the first festival, Diana Vishneva danced "Giselle" partnered by guest artist Vladimir Malakhov. In the gala concert, Vishneva performed the adagio from "Manon" (also with Malakhov), and the variation from "Paquita".

In March, 2001 Diana Vishneva finally received the "Golden Mask" for her solo role in Balanchine's "Rubies". In March, 2001 she also debuted as Nikia in "La Bayadere". The Mariinsky Theatre is becoming more and more influential amongst the world’s leading ballet troupes. John Neumeier the famous Hamburg choreographer has begun collaborating with it. On 28 April, 2001, the Mariinsky Theatre gave premieres of Neumeier 's three ballets: "Spring and Fall", "Now and Then" and "The Sounds of Empty Pages", the latter having been produced especially for the Mariinsky. At the premiere, Diana Vishneva danced the solo role in "Spring and Fall" and the role of the Muse in "The Sounds of Empty Pages".

In May 2001, the Russian President signed a decree awarding State Prizes of Russian Federation for achievements in literature and arts for 2000. Diana Vishneva received the prize for roles in the Mariinsky Theatre performances "The Sleeping Beauty", "Manon", " Le jeune homme et la mort" and " Sheherazade".

In the summer of 2001, the Mariinsky Theatre toured in London, returning to the Covent Garden Theatre. Diana Vishneva danced solo roles in "Sleeping Beauty", "Rubies", "Manon", "Symphony in C" and "Shecherazade". In some performances of "Rubies" and "Symphony in C" she was partnered by Nikolai Tsiskaridze, the Bolshoi Theatre premier danseur. At present, they are filming a documentary about the tour entitled "The Kirov Ballet. People and Dancing".

In December 2001 Diana debuted at the Teatro La Scala in Milan, performing the role of Aurora in "The Sleeping Beauty", in Nuriev's redaction, partnered by Roberto Bolle.

In February 2002, the Mariinsky Ballet toured in Washington. The tour opened at the Kennedy Centre stage with "Sleeping Beauty", and with Diana Vishneva in the title role.

On 5 March, 2002, at the Mariinsky Theatre the world premier of the "Cinderella" ballet choreographed by A. Ratmansky was given. Ratmansky followed modern trends in his performances, but without going against the classics. Sincerity, masked by an ironic smile, sets the tone of his many ballets. A beautiful child, Ratmansky’s fabulous and modern Cinderella, Vishneva is not an ugly duckling that turns into a princess, but always a princess, though those surrounding her don’t always notice it. It turns out that the performance is about the little princess hidden inside every woman, while Diana Vishneva is the link that connects all the elements together. For this role, Diana was nominated for "best female dancer" in the "Golden Mask" theatrical awards.

At the second international Mariinsky Festival of ballet in March 2002, Diana danced for the first time with Manuel Legris, the premier danseur of the Paris Opera ("Manon", "Rubies"), their fruitful collaboration having continued over the following years (the extract from "Carmen" at the third Festival, March 2003; in June 2003, Nuriev's redaction of "Manon" on the Grand Opera stage).

In April 2002 Diana debuted with the title role in "Raymonda."

In May 2002, Diana Vishneva debuted at the Paris Opera (Don Quixote in Nuriev's redaction with J. Martinez, one of the premier danseurs of the troupe).

In July 2002, Vishneva took part in the Mariinsky Ballet tour on the Metropolitan Opera stage (New York) (title roles in Sergey Vikharev's new-old "La Bayadere", " Don Quixote" and "Rubies").

The year 2002 was particularly successful for Diana Vishneva with regard to guest performances and invitations to the world’s most prestigious ballet theatres. During the season of 2002 – 2003, Vladimir Malakhov became the artistic director of the Berlin Opera. He invited Diana Vishneva to perform with the Berlin troupe as a guest star. The Berlin Opera began its new season with "Giselle", with Vishneva and Malakhov in the title roles.

Vishneva and Malakhov danced in Mikkeli (Finland) at the annual ballet festival (October 2002). They performed the title roles in "The Sleeping Beauty" that became their first joint performance in this ballet, as well as Tchaikovsky and Balanchine's Pas de Deux in the concert programme.

In December, Malakhov staged his version of "La Bayadere" at the Berlin Opera and invited Diana to perform Nika (Solor – Vladimir Malakhov).

In December, "Giselle" was performed eight times at the Megaron theatre in Athens, with the participation of soloists from different troupes. The roles of Giselle and Albert were performed by Diana Vishneva and Vladimir Malakhov, as well as Svetlana Zakharowa and Igor Zelensky.

As before, Diana toured with the Mariinsky Ballet: she danced the solo roles in "The Firebird", Shemyakin's "The Nutcracker" and the new-old "La Bayadere" on the stage of the Chatel Theatre (Paris) in October, 2002.

Diana Visheva's name is becoming well known in the leading ballet theatres of the world. Every year, she receives a host of invitations. In 2002, according to a survey of the Dance Europe magazine, Diana Vishneva was named the best European dancer.

The ballerina’s schedule for the year 2003 was heavy: in May, the Berlin Opera, the premier of Balanchine's "Imperial"; in June, the Grand Opera, "Manon" partnered by M. Legris. By September, she will have prepared the roles of Tatyana in Kranko's "Eugene Onegin" for the Berlin Opera.

Anna Yershova

In 2003 Diana debuted in the Metropoliten-opera (New-York) with "Romeo and Juliett" by McMillan. Long-awaited premier of "Swan Lake" in the Berlin Staatsopera was given in february 2003.

In 2003 Diana become was awarded the "Spirit of dance" prize by the Ballet magazine in the "Dance queen" nomination.

16 of february, 2005 - the tenth anniversary of the Diana's debut on the Mariinksy's stage ("Don Quixote").

24 of may 2005 Diana became the principal dancer of the American ballet theatre (ABT).

September, 21, 2005 the Mariinsky Theatre has opened 223 ballet season traditional « Swan
Lake ». Diana Vishneva danced in the main party of this ballet the first time on a native stage. That was not traditional.

January, 9 & 11, 2006 with triumph have passed performances of Diana with troupe of the Parisian Opera where she has danced « Swan Lake » in R.Nureeva's edition.

April, 29, 2006 on a new stage of the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow Diana has danced «Swan Lake » in J.Grigorovicha's edition. Her performance has caused the wide discussion in press and on ballet forums.