| Maria Krzyszkowska – She studied dance during the Second World War with Irena Szymańska and Leon Wójcikowski. In 1946–47, she played duo with the latter. She was the prima ballerina of Nowy Theatre in Warsaw (1947–50), the Poznań Opera (1950–53), the Warsaw Opera (1953–65) and the Teatr Wielki (1965–77). She was the first to play many roles in ballets by Leon Wójcikowski, Jerzy Gogół and Witold Gruca. She was the first in Poland to perform parts in Soviet choreographies of classical ballets. She enjoyed participating in concerts and TV programmes. She was recognized by critics for her dance technique, acting skills, her disposition for performing, musicality and sense of style. In 1970–80 and then in 1985–95 she was the director of the Teatr Wielki’s ballet in Warsaw. She increased the number of classical ballet premieres (two versions of Swan Lake, Coppelia, Giselle, La fille mal gardée) and introduced in Warsaw choreographies of contemporary authors: Birgit Cullberg, Alberto Mendez, Hans van Manen, John Butler, Maurice Béjart. Juror of international ballet competitions in Varna, Moscow, Tokyo, Osaka, Jackson and Helsinki. Since 1979 she was the president of the jury of the National Dance and Choreography Competition in Gdańsk. She won the 2st level and 1nd level Award of the Ministry of Culture and Art, she was awarded the Knight’s Cross and Officer’s Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta and the Order of the Banner of Work (2nd and 1st Class). Most important parts: Giselle (Giselle), Odette-Odile (Swan Lake), Kitri (Don Quixote), Coppelia (Coppelia), Cinderella (Cinderella), Juliet (Romeo and Juliet), Queen of the Underworld & Queen of the East, Diablica, Krasawica (Pan Twardowski), Girl (Harnasie), Zobeide (Scheherazade), Ballerina (Petrushka), Prima ballerina (Chopiniana), solo parts in the ballets: Suite española, The Seasons, Swantewit, Świtezianka, Etiudy Baletowe, Nokturn i Tarantela, Bolero, Redcoat, Soirées et matinées musicales. |
