International tours Maya Plisetskaya

in swan lake bolshoi ballet, 1966

soviet leader khrushchev still concerned, writes historian david caute, “her defection have been useful west anti-soviet propaganda.” wrote him “a long , forthright expression of patriotism , indignation should doubted.” subsequently, travel ban lifted in 1959 on khrushchev’s personal intercession, became clear him striking plisetskaya bolshoi s participants have serious consequences tour’s success. in memoirs, khrushchev writes plisetskaya “was not best ballerina in soviet union, best in world.”

able travel world member of bolshoi, plisetskaya changed world of ballet skills , technique, setting higher standard ballerinas both in terms of technical brilliance , dramatic presence. having allowed tour in new york, khrushchev immensely satisfied upon reading reviews of performances. “he embraced upon return: ‘good girl, coming back. not making me fool. didn’t let me down.’”

within few years, plisetskaya recognized “an international superstar” , continuous “box office hit throughout world.” soviet union treated favored cultural emissary, “the dancer did not defect.” although toured extensively during same years other dancers defected, including rudolf nureyev, natalia makarova , mikhail baryshnikov, “plisetskaya returned russia”, wrote historian tim scholl.

plisetskaya explains generation, , family in particular, defecting moral issue: “he runs enemy s side traitor.” had once asked mother why family didn t leave soviet union when had chance, @ time living in norway. mother said father “would have abandoned me children instantly” asking. “misha never have been traitor.”