Recommendable Artists

　
　 Elena Kniazkova's caeer as physical performer was started in the field of gymnastics. She was a member of young national team of Callisthenics in U.S.S.R.,　and was a title holder of Sport Master. But she chose the way of ballerina in 16 years old.

　In 1987, she entered Vorones choreographic school, and she specialized in ballet.
　In 1988, she got a prize in All Soviet Union Ballet Competition which was sponsord by one of the famous ballet school in the world ; Waganova ballet school, and her talent was given attention by Soviet ballet society.
　 In 1989, after gratuated at Vorones ballet school, she jointed Russian Ballet Company as leading soloist.
　Same year, she won a Gold prize of Varna International Ballet Competition in junior category. As a result, she was invited Royal Ballet in U.K. by N. Makarova, and danced Odette／Odile in“Swan Lake”.
　 In 1991, Soviet Union broke down at end of this year, she jointed Bolshoi Theater Yuri Grigorovich Ballet Company as prima ballerina. This ballet company was established by Y.Grigorovich, ballet master of Bolshoi Theater, as separately troupe from Bolshoi Ballet. And this company was characterristic of young talented dancers who were selected by this great choreographer.
　Elena Kniazkova danced leading roles in Grigorovich version's “Swan Lake”“Nut Cracker”“Sleeping Beauty”“Raymonda”“Golden Age””Giselle”“Spartacus”etc.
　 In 1993, she won again a Gold Prize, in Moscow International Ballet Competition
on senior category. She was awarded gold prize from judges of two most authoriative international ballet competitions in the world. Only 3 dancers have gotten this honor in the world by this time.
　 In the world tour of Yuri Grigorovich Ballet, Elena Kniazkova won the highest prise by her superior technique and was loved by her charming appearance.

　 But very unfortunate situation for her has occured in 1994. Yuri Grigorovichi left the theater, and this compelled her to leave theater too because his ballet company was dissolved.
　Not a few ballet masters invited her to joint their companies, but she chose the way as a freelance dancer.

　After 1995, she has been dancing with so many ballet companies not only in Russia but also in the world.
　Now, her repertory is very variousness. Classical productions “Swan Lake”“Nut Cracker”“Sleeping Beauty”“Raymonda”“Don Quixote””Giselle”
“Le Corsaire”“Paquita”etc., and modern choreograper's works for example by George Balanchine, Yuri Grigorovichi, Kasyan Goleizovsky, Frederick Ashton, John Cranko etc. She is very skillful dancer to express the emotion and has high quality technique.

【Elena Kniazkova's performances in Japan】

1993　with Bolshoi Theater Yuri Gurigorovichi Ballet
1996　guest soloist of Tokyo Ballet Theater Ballet Company
1997　Russian Allstar Super Gala Concert
　〃 　 with Russian Novosibirsk State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater
1998　with Russian Novosibirsk State Academic Opera and Ballet Theater
1999　guest soloist of Tokyo Ballet Theater Ballet Company
2000　with Russian Krasnodar Artistic Association PREMIERA Ballet
　〃 　 guest soloist of North Saitama Ballet Association
2001　guest soloist of North Saitama Ballet Association