Irina Kolesnikova (Russian: Ирина Владимировна Коле́сникова; born 1980) is a Russian ballet dancer. She is the prima ballerina of the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre.
Biography
She graduated from the Vaganova Ballet Academy in 1998, class of Elvira Korkorina, and after being rejected by the Kirov and Mikhailovsky Theatre, she joined the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre (SPBT), where she was taught by Svetlana Efremova. With this corps, she has toured internationally, playing mostly Odette/Odile in Swan Lake. Other roles in her repertoire include the title role and Myrtha in Giselle, Clara in The Nutcracker, Maria in St Petersburg's Nutcracker, Princess Aurora and Fairy Claire Bonté in The Sleeping Beauty, Kitri and Queen of Dryads in Don Quixote, Nikiya and Princess Gamzatti in La Bayadere, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Carmen in Her Name Was Carmen, Paquita, Chopiniana and others.
On December 26, 2002 Kolesnikova made her London debut in Royal Albert Hall in St. Petersburg Ballet Theatre's Swan Lake. Dance critic Allen Robertson of The Times said:
In 2002, Irina Kolesnikova participated in international ballet competitions where she became a laureate of the following awards:
Natalia Makarova Prize and the Silver Medal at Arabesque 2002 in Russia
Silver Medal at the world-renowned International Ballet Competition in Varna
Gold Medal at the International Ballet Competition in Prague
In 2004 in St Petersburg there has been published the book of photographs "Irina Kolesnikova". It was dedicated to 10th anniversary of the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre and with introduction article entitled "Irina Kolesnikova my love" written by the Russian-American ballet critic and photographer Nina Alovert.
In 2004 Kolesnikova was nominated for Prix Benois de la Danse for her performing role Kitri in Don Quixote.
In 2005 Kolesnikova was nominated in London for a National Dance Awards as Best Female Dancer by the UK critics’ circle for her performing the role of Odette-Odile in Swan Lake.
In 2005, Kolesnikova took place in V Japan International Ballet Competition in Nagoya where she won the Silver Medal. The Chief of Jury of this competition was a great Russian ballerina Maya Plisetskaya.In 2006 St Petersburg Ballet Theatre (SPBT) released the first DVD with Irina Kolesnikova. Live performance of Swan Lake was filmed at the State Theatre in Pretoria on 2 April 2006 during the first ever St Petersburg Ballet Theatre tour in South Africa.
In 2007 St Petersburg Ballet Theatre (SPBT) released the DVD Giselle with Irina Kolesnikova. Live ballet was filmed at the State Theatre in Pretoria on 16 March 2007 during the returning visit of St Petersburg Ballet Theatre to South Africa.
In September 2007 she danced Sheherezade for the first time at the Gala des Etoiles du XXIe Siecle in Paris, partnered by Dmitri Semionov. Her coaches include Honoured Artists of Russia Alla Osipenko and Lubov Kunakova.
In June 2008 Irina made her West-End debut in London at Apollo Theatre. As a guest star she was dancing the role of Hollywood legend Judy Garland in the contemporary production of choreographer Peter Schaufuss "DIVAS" from 19 June to 5 July.
Debra Craine, the lead critic of The Times, in the review published on 27 June 2008 said:
"...Irina Kolesnikova may present a statuesque and very Russian Garland, but she exudes the kind of grand personality (and sumptuous technique) that sweeps all before it. Charming and charismatic, she’s the one true diva…"
On 17 May 2009 Irina made her debut on the stage of the London Coliseum. She was dancing the role of Nikiya in St Petersburg Ballet Theatre’s La Bayadere.
On 6 February 2012, a dinner in honour of the Prima Ballerina, Kolesnikova, took place at the Russian Federation Ambassador’s residence, France with the presence of Alexander Orlov, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to France. The visit was recorded by the State Russian Television and broadcast on Russian television on 13 February 2012.
The previous night saw the end of the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre’s Paris season where, overall, the season included 15 sold out shows which were played to 48 thousand visitors.
In 2020, Kolesnikova made her United States debut, performing at Howard Gilman Opera House BAM, New York City and National Theatre, Washington DC.
Royal Albert Hall, London
From 2002 to 2007 Kolesnikova was annually performing in Royal Albert Hall. During this time, the St Petersburg Ballet Theatre presented Kolesnikova in "Swan Lake" – 2002, 2005, 2007 and "The Nutcracker" – 2003, 2004, 2006.