Background
Reizen, Maria was born on August 4, 1892 in Moscow.
Reizen, Maria was born on August 4, 1892 in Moscow.
Graduated from the Moscow Choreographic School, 1909. Pupil of V. D. Tikhomirov.
With the Bolshoi Theatre, 1909-1950. Appeared in the Ballets Russes in Paris, 1910-1912. Taught young dancers, 1936-1948.
Taught at the Moscow Choreographic School, 1950-1951. Soloist at the Leningrad Opera,
1925-1930. Soloist at the Bolshoi Theatre, 1930-1954.
Took part in the denigration of Chaliapin after his death (‘betrayed his country’, ‘had nothing to offer of interest to art’), which earned him the contempt of and a boycott by his colleagues, despite the dangers of disagreement with the party line. Rewarded by 3 Stalin Prizes, 1941, 1949, 1951. From 1954, taught at the Moscow Gnesin Musical Pedagogical Institute.
Wrote memoirs, Stranitsy Vospominanii, 1965.