List Rules Vote up the absolute best Russian ballets
Any ballet enthusiast knows that some of the greatest ballets in history originated in Russia. In fact, in the early 19th century, Russia opened up the theatres to anyone who could afford to buy a ticket, regardless of class. The wealthier attendants were provided with the best seating possible. This system allowed the majority of people to be able to attend any ballet performance, causing widespread popularity. Some of the best dancers in all of ballet are part of Russian ballet companies as well.
What are the best Russian ballets of all time? Some of the most famous ballets came from Russia, forever changing dancing techniques. The most respected ballet companies in the world have all used many Russian techniques and Russia has produced some of the most celebrated ballets and ballet performances in history.
This list features the best Russian ballets, ranked by voters and including, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliette, Cinderella, Giselle, La Bayadere, and Afternoon of a Faun.
Vote up the greatest Russian ballets below, or add a ballet from Russia that isn't already on the list.
list ordered by
1
75 13
Swan LakePyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
2
62 11
The NutcrackerPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
3
49 12
GiselleAdolphe Adam
4
44 10
The Sleeping BeautyPyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
5
39 13
Romeo and JulietSergei Prokofiev
6
31 7
The FirebirdIgor Stravinsky
7
27 7
La BayadereLudwig Minkus
8
26 9
CoppeliaLeo Delibes
9
17 3
ApolloIgor Stravinsky
10
19 5
CinderellaSergei Prokofiev
11
16 4
Les SylphidesMichel Fokine
12
16 4
PaquitaJoseph Mazilier, Paul Foucher, Edouard Deldevez
13
18 7
ManonJules Massenet
14
17 7
SchéhérazadeNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
15
12 6
A Midsummer Night's DreamFelix Mendelssohn
16
13 7
La Fille Mal GardeeJean Dauberval
17
9 5
SylviaLouis Merante
18
8 4
Le Sacre Du PrintempsIgor Stravinsky
19
8 5
OndineSir Frederick Ashton
20
6 3
EsmereldaJules Perrot
21
6 4
Afternoon of a FaunVaslav Nijinsky
22
7 6
PapillonsMarie Taglioni
23
5 5
Le Soleil De NuitNikolai Rimsky-Korsakov
24
3 3
Le RossignolIgor Stravinsky
25
5 6
Le CarnavalRobert Schumann
26
3 4
La Légende De JosephRichard Strauss
27
3 5
Le Mariage D'AurorePyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
28
2 6
YvonBarker added The Tale of the Stone FlowerSergei Prokofiev - The Tale of the Stone Flower, Op. 118 (Russian: Сказ о каменном цветке), is Sergei Prokofiev's eighth and last ballet, written between 1948 and 1953. It is based on the Russian Uralfolk tale of the same name by Pavel Bazhov and is also the last of the trilogy of ballets Prokofiev wrote in the Russian ballet tradition. It was premiered posthumously, in 1954, conducted by Yuri Fayer.
29
2 9
La Princesse EnchantéePyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky
not on the list? add item #30
List Rules: Vote up the absolute best Russian ballets
