Diana Vishneva is one of the most recognizable names in ballet today. Born in St. Petersburg, she trained at the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet, where she scored some of the highest scores in the school's history. She also trained at the Mariinsky Theatre, later joining the company, eventually rising to the role of principal dancer.
Vishneva first danced with ABT back in 2003, eventually joining the company as a principal in 2005. And last Friday, June 23rd, she took her final bow, alongside her longtime dance partner Marcelo Gomes, at New York's Metropolitan Opera House.
Don't worry - she's not completely retiring - her schedule is simply too full! She will still be dancing with the Mariinsky in St. Petersburg.
Friday's performance was John Cranko's "Onegin," which was followed by a 15-minute curtain call, where Vishneva was presented with bouquets upon bouquets of flowers by fellow ABT dancers, and showered with flower petals.
She will certainly be missed, but we're excited to see who will rise up and fill her (pointe) shoes!