The Mariinsky Theater prima ballerina Matilda Kschessinskaya (1872–1971) became the center of attention in the press from her very first shows. The critics favored her performance in the ballet “Kalkabrino”,

Despite her young age, Kschessinskaya demonstrated mastery of the ballet technique and enriched her performance with complex dance elements that fascinated the viewers. Her style could be described as classical dance infused with emotional turmoil.

Kschessinskaya performed in ballets staged by Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov. The audience was mesmerized with her swift pas de couru in “La Esmeralda”, the firework of fouetté turns in “The Sleeping Beauty” and other choreographic elements. In “The Talisman”, Kschessinskaya spectacularly performed an arabesque, standing on one leg and extending the other behind the body — one of the main positions in classical ballet.

The ballerina strove to prove the excellence of Russian ballet dancers. The rivalry between Russian and Italian dancers ended in 1900 when the ballet “The Seasons” with music by Alexander Glazunov was staged at the Mariinsky Theater.

The press in Saint Petersburg praised Matilda Kschessinskaya more than her Italian colleague Pierina Legnani. While Legnani was wearing a long dress that restricted her movements and ultimately affected her performance, Matilda’s short tunic was perfect for her dance. It was then that the Direction of Imperial Theaters made a decision to stop inviting ballerinas from other countries.

The Russian Revolution of 1917 cost Matilda Kschessinskaya her possessions, and she and her husband Grand Duke Andrei Vladimirovich emigrated to France. She had a long life and died at the age of 99. The final resting place of Matilda Feliksovna Kschessinskaya is located at the Russian Orthodox Cemetery in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois.

The museum houses Matilda Kschessinskaya’s ballet shoe and her dress for the part of the Duchess in the ballet “The Sleeping Beauty”. The bodice of the dress is sewn from light gray silk and is decorated with two rows of metal buttons, a lace jabot and a black ribbon with a brooch. The front has a wedge-shaped element.

The long sleeves consist of two layers: the upper layer is the same fabric as other parts, while the bottom one is made of light white fabric. The skirt has two layers as well — the red underskirt and the gray overskirt arranged in folds. The bodice and both skirts are trimmed with gold lace.