Maya Plisetskaya, age 61, dances Dying Swan

[DonQuijotezg1]

I was crying watching this video

[L0RAify]

она всегда БОЖЕСТВЕННА!!!

[lovebunny218]

Looks like real wings

[StreetGirl1000]

Amazing! :O

[BeatrizCif]

Maravilloso....la belleza hecha ballet....extraordinaria bailarina

[chrislovesyou]

Reeeeeq

[bloodandwinearered]

Take that Betty White! 

[wendyverdades]

Thank you for this! So special.

[MySpring75]

O my God, this could not play no other ballet dancer today. Baby for 200 years. Bravo Maya

[trickie355]

Brilliant!!! A real privilege to watch her. She's so inspirational. =)

[aylajj]

her armmmss!

[iamlost2]

Whoa! The most beautiful arm movements ever!!!! And those feet too. Bravo, flawless, so fluid, perfect.

[kmolfesi]

61. ok? 61..!!!

[Lorsonline]

OMG that actually does move you to tears.

[AWanderingDream]

First time actually crying while seeing the "dying swan" ballet dance. She is just amazing.

[Khalaim]

Это очень красиво - очень

[Ksanthipa]

Balerina ot Boga ! ah kak ya lyublyu Plisetskuyu..chasto smotryu kogda na serdce pechal! ona vdohnovlyaet menya! spasibo za video!

[MonaTheBellydancer]

This my friends.. is art.

[suppitserika]

her arms are absolutely unreal.

[2emmagine]

UNREAL ...... !!!!!!

[Chrisstinellafun]

61!!!!!!!!!!

[mariaesn]

Look those arms, that feeling! She is a swan! *.*

[Ci13Angel]

She have the beaty inside....She felt it all

[dottiehenson]

what a mesmerizing dancer. her movements are so fluid...I find it hard to believe that anyone watching this video would not get carried away in her emotion.

[darkladyinthemoon]

to draw you in and... tell me you were not picturing a swan as she danced. that is what should happen if the dance is done how it is meant to be done... to make your breath leave your chest and leave you without peach but knowing and understanding the dance without a storyline. that is the talent of a dancer... the purpose of ballet. (pt 2)

[darkladyinthemoon]

those types of dancers are why I wished to be a ballet dancer... sadly, I lack the build. But... the grace and the ability to "become" the dance... where the dance and the dancer are hardly told apart... this is the type of grace and passion in one dance that is how ballet should be performed always. (pt 1)

[cesarfcpys]

WOW, her arms at the beginning, looks like some kind of illusion

[SkyAngel777]

@cesarfcpys She looks like a real bird xD

[DesiFuyuko]

This was so well performed, it made me cry. The years of experience and passion show beautifuly in her skill and execution of the dance :)

I wish I can learn to dance too, now I'm more inspired.

[brownballerina97]

People now, really would be a dying swan if they tried to dance this @ 61 :)

[dreamcatcher75418]

This is what true life-long passion looks like. If only we could all find something this beautiful to live for in our lives. She is absolutly amazing!!!

[fidyazahraa]

o yes we can

[ursie1986]

something cruicially poignant about a woman entering the twilight years of year life dancing a beautiful death. a more informed dance.

[xxangierulzxx]

She looks so young at 61 and is a beautiful dancer

[LoveislikeLemons]

are u sure she's 61, because she looks way too good! :)

[SuperQTPi]

I think she was born to dance, her life is dance, her existence is fluid beauty in movement, and if she stops dancing she will die. But I think her spirit will dance still.

[darlaandme47]

@SuperQTPi with out a doubt! Her body & spirit were dancing here & I agree her spirit will continue to dance long after she is gone from the earth. Amazing the arms really look like shes kind of gliding with the wind,other times she's clearly panicking trying with all her might to fly knowing the end is near. She has to have spent hours every day dancing to be able to this at her age. I danced into 20s no way I could carry myfelf like that now & I'm not quite as old as she is here! Beautiful!

[Wyzdm]

She is TRUE DIVA BALLERINA! 

[jessigreeneyes87]

She is the embodiment of grace and the embodiment of a swan. The choreography was perfect. So amazing that she dances like this at 61! Bravo! Brought tears to my eyes!

[PhelanVelvel]

Tears in my eyes. The dual nature of this performance is just too poignant.

[MrsGodesta]

Смотришь и очищаешься от скверны...

[Author539]

@MrsGodesta Ура, русские тоже есть!

[francofile714]

her hands are wings! they aren't like wings, they are wings

[Poemsapennyeach]

This is so very very beautiful.

[TheSunIsBlack]

Dance forever

[keanag100]

Сказочное, прекрасное исполнение, нам всем очень повезло - мы наслаждаемся выступлениями Майи и даже застали их в Москве !

Maya Plisetskaya, age 61, dances Dying Swan

Performing in Tokyo in the 1986 Maya Plisetskaya and Soviet Stars tour.

[Author539]

@keanag100 Согласие

[DimaAmatti]

не трогать нашу Маю

[windstorm1000]

I've never seen hand movement like that elsewhere--that is amazing. she IS a swan

[jelkica26]

oh my god! her hands! no one else can do like that

[PlayIt4MeAgainSam]

Very elegant and graceful. Beautifully danced. Thanks for uploading.

[KTBEverlasting]

That's not a Swan Queen. That's a Swan Empress right there. Recognize!!!

[vivelhistoire]

I'll look so amazing at 61! That's my new life goal!

I'm in LOVE with her am movements! Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!

[70THEODOROS]

ΙΣΩΣ ΝΑ ΜΗΝ ΥΠΑΡΧΟΥΝ ΤΑ ΚΑΤΑΛΛΗΛΑ ΕΠΙΘΕΤΑ ΠΟΥ ΘΑ ΜΠΟΡΟΥΣΕ ΝΑ ΧΡΗΣΗΜΟΠΟΙΗΣΕΙ ΚΑΠΟΙΟΣ ΓΙΑ ΝΑ ΧΑΡΑΚΤΗΡΗΣΕΙ ΑΥΤΟ ΤΟ ΘΕΑΜΑ. ΤΙ ΝΑ ΠΩ? ΤΟ ΥΠΕΡΟΧΟ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΛΙΓΟ, ΙΣΩΣ ΘΕΪΚΟ ΘΑ ΤΑΙΡΙΑΖΕ ΚΑΛΥΤΕΡΑ.

[LilyMoth12]

Beautiful she is a swan trapped in a human's body! She is amazing!

[Halloworld24]

this is so awesome

[maechel200]

阿 媽 厲 害 。 

[psipsinos11]

Κάπως έτσι φαντάζομαι πως θα χορεύουν οι Άγγελοι στον Παραδεισο.

[Lizzitarock]

It makes me cry ;) it's so beautiful

[MllzMoorgane]

61 ans ? c'est pas possible , tant de grace dans c'est geste (y)

[totangoforever]

Quite the feat. Quite the arms. Quite the dancer. Nice to see. Thanks.

[Tiburonian]

Remarkable - compare Margot Fonteyn dancing at the same age- no comparison! (Of course, I iked Margot as much as the british crowds did, but Plisetskaya, wow!)

[curlynurse69]

unbelievable...shes amazing..her arms :o

[erlyscuba]

it was so touching! :..-(

[tokutoxmitsukimew]

giiii sus manos si parecían alas de cisne de verdad!!

[jorgegs41]

She will put to shame a real swan...what graceful swan...Btavo!!!!!

[Partygirlsunited]

just beautiful

[KiliniLove]

i dont believe that she is 61 years old cause she is doing reale awsome things for be so old

[0206butterfly]

Diese Frau ist 61 Jahre alt. Das ist der Wahnsinn und so himmlisch schön.

Ich wollte, seit meiner Kindheit ins Ballett und durfte nicht. Nun bin ich 51 Jahre.

Ich bete um ein 2. Leben, um diesen Traum verwirklichen zu können.

[radostsguy1]

This comes from Wikipedia:

Despite her acclaim, Maya was not treated well by the Bolshoi management. She was Jewish[1] in an anti-Semitic climate, her family had been purged during the Stalinist era and her personality was defiant, so she was not allowed to tour outside the country for six years after joining the Bolshoi. It wasn't until 1959 that Nikita Khrushchev permitted her to travel abroad.

[SPRiNGxBLOSM]

my grandma can put on socks at 61 but she sure can't bend down and touch her toes

[radostsguy1]

Maya was prohibited from going on tour with the Bolshoi for 6 years just because she was Jewish! Racial Prejudice is so stupid!

[mcpushkin]

@radostsguy1 Do not say if you do not know. Maya was a state balerina dining with all soviet leaders. Her status was absolutely excusive in Bolshoi. She would never be prohibited to do anything, but perhaps recommended. Maya always represented and served the country. This has always been recognised to these days. 

[sassysizzle]

I see dedication, discipline, passion and respect for the art. I don't recall seeing this conveyed in today's dancers. To communicate such passion in dance takes years. A true Prima Ballerina and in great shape!

[taochentc]

timeless beauty

[taochentc]

at year 61, amazing performance. Inspiring. Who said women are no longer  when they get older.

[adaeldevik]

Her arms moves just lika a swan's wings! It's beautiful!

[pointemeout]

that is ridiculous! she is simply marvelous! stupendo! this took place in my birth year and it can still move me to tears. Gracias Maya.

[steph15420]

such graceful arms!

[MarieAntoinettexx]

unmatched.. timeless..

[ArwenPendragon]

How the hell does she move her arms like that!

[plutoniangirl]

@ArwenPendragon who knows .. i have been trying to immitate that.. cant even come close!

[MariaNNaBoBos]

She makes real swans jealous.

[Author539]

@MariaNNaBoBos YES YES YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ps.Have you seen Svetlana Zakharova?

[MariaNNaBoBos]

@Author539 of course!

[Z4Devil]

@MariaNNaBoBos

Indeed, Maya was the ultimate goddess among the ballerinas of the word. As far as I know, no other ballerina ever has reach such a kind of mystic, impression and reality in her performance. I bow to her. Regards from Germany

[1awareness]

I miss the ballet/ theater.... encore!

( I Iaugh at times; on how rare it is to find others who are open to the arts like i am.)

[breakmontblanc]

her arms her arms her arms! <3 from 0:28 to 0:50 omg.

[vickiehill1]

Just beautiful!! She looks & dances like she is 20. It's what I always tell people...age means absolutely nothing. Wonderful!!

[ThornyRoseV]

@vickiehill1 well depends. If she would have been poor, had many children and worked a lot in her lifetime or had sickness she wouldnt look like that or move like that, so yes age means something..

[chelsearayl]

If only the average person knew that every beautiful ballerina was really a super hero in disguise.

Only a dancer knows the amount of STRENGTH , work ,grace and love that is required to be a ballerina.

[xXxmendingheartxXx]

@chelsearayl pft, yeah. and misery. What dancers have to go through to be a ballet dancer is just horrible...

[chelsearayl]

@xXxmendingheartxXx Its something meant to be done out of love , and when you love something strong there is no mountain you wont happily climb to have it ...even if its just in your own way.

[xXxmendingheartxXx]

@chelsearayl very right. I agree. :) though i myself wouldnt like it i know my friend would probably go through alot to be a dancer

[PixieGirl778]

@chelsearayl I know! I know many people who make fun of ballet because it's "all about frilly arms" or whatnot but to be a ballerina really takes so much strength, like when you have to make all your extensions look like your leg weighs less than a feather and fouettes are a breeze for you when in reality...it's hard work and to do it all while performing and smiling!

[Strawhiskey]

@chelsearayl as an aspiring classical musician (oboe) I think alot of classical musicians can relate as well.

[chelsearayl]

@Strawhiskey Absolutely! Dancing tells a story, but music helps a dancer fly ! I used to play saxophone for years, some may laugh at creative arts but it unites passion and discipline, and gives you something that no one can ever take away.Those who work for money can have that taken away, but knowledge and experience can be shared and live on forever.

[Strawhiskey]

@chelsearayl Agreed! fine arts are amazing

[ididete]

@chelsearayl If only a professional dancer knew how much she is lucky that s/he had the access to dance schooling, and parents to support him/her as a child, so that s/he could avoid all other shitty out there job, or being jobless, s/he would consider all that effort to be a blessing.

[bobabobaism]

@ididete

In 1938, her father, Michael Plisetski was executed during the Stalinist purges, possibly because he had hired a friend who had been a secretary to Leon Trotsky. Her mother Rachel Messerer-Plisetskaya, a silent-film actress, was arrested and sent to a labor camp (Gulag) in Kazakhstan,[2] together with Maya's seven-month old baby brother.[3] Thereupon Maya was adopted by her maternal aunt, the ballerina Sulamith Messerer, until her mother was released in 1941

[Ksanthipa]

@bobabobaism and later on M.Plisetskaya was spied on by kgb people..as they suspected her having contacts with british intelligence .. which was untrue.. just because she was invited to british embassy for reception once..

she is incredible dancer and great personality..

[bobabobaism]

@ididete it is hart to say that she was lucky, but in a way she was

[theluckynames]

61? Man, I can't imagine dancing freaking ballet at 61! Go Maya!

[studentgirl101]

*speechless*

[LadyPaix]

As I'm watching this the last thing that l'm thinking about is her age.

[PureSoapCleans]

Amazing!!!

[stacylive2dance]

im in awe this is awesome thanks so much for posting this and showing that and age is just a number i started late and ended in jazz competition and we won big time but anyways im 41 and do pointe work and i dont see myself stopping anytime soon and seeing her gives me hope this is an amazing video..she is awesome and u can see her emotions so clearly wow!!!

[wendyverdades]

Dancers ARE dancing that well that old. Why not? She was so ripped off as an artist during the cold war. You can see her eyes are so telling during the bows.

[wendyverdades]

Dancers ARE dancing that well that old. Why not?

[lhenle55]

Yeaaa...she was not 61

[plutoniangirl]

@lhenle55 actually she was ... it was filmed in 87 or something .. she was born in 1920s. do the math

[Mederite]

She was an amazing ballet dancer.. the best swan ever played and danced in balet! Amazing.. Take my heat off for her..

[liliTchaikovsky]

ainda prefiro a Pavlova....

[SariitaPeQe]

She's flying

[wTheBeaTleSw]

It's impossible not to cry while you see this. Now i'm not worried to get old, i will dance for ever!! love you Maya!

[Dridalves]

D+!! Não tem braços: tem asas!!

[love4nana707]

She's got...... wings! I've never seen anybody move their arms like THAT! At at 61! I'm just...... wow!

[amneris54]

bravvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvvva­aaaaaa

[Happy5479]

best dying swan I have ever seen

[Deymilichaba]

Dear lord!... If i turn to 61, i'd like to have that body!... Please!... Well thinking good!... I want that body now! (and i'm 16) -.- I should be a ballet dancer!

[Royalbrettania]

first let me say that was absolutely beautiful...however I have bad news ...her arms are nothing like real swans wings.....I work in a zoo with lots of swans...and sorry to say that there is nothing special about what a swan does with its wings they flap exactly the way a goose does...the thing that makes a swan so special is its neck...this is more obvious if you look at swan lake next time look at their arms and imagine the whole arm is a neck and the hand is where the head is. :)

[windstorm1000]

@Royalbrettania spoil sport (ha, ha)

[Royalbrettania]

@windstorm1000 lol but its true though ---- not so much in fokine's dying swan but swan lake its actually amazing.....I have always loved ballet especially S W --- and I started working in this zoo about a year ago and we have two swans and obviously I was staring at them a LOT and suddenly realised how genius the choreography was and how WRONG my interpretation of it had been nearly my entire life !!! the arms are the NECKS!!

[windstorm1000]

@Royalbrettania right--you were looking at the bird from the wrong angle! the dancer's arms are the swan's neck.

[yuukohime]

Maravillosa, magnífica!!!!!

[prince2000ful]

Marvellous performance . She has Character and her own style after so many years.

Oh yes1 her feet and arms the whole body is full of dance.

[HelenaBCsfun]

sixty one... SIXTY ONE?!

omg ._.

She is a real swan*o*

[amesakurako1]

i want to have that grace and posture when i turn 61!!!

[ClumsyTheNinja]

still such a soft hand on things :)

<3 Maya

[KASTALIJA]

ANGEL...

[AnaTheQueen]

61?

DAMN I LOVE THIS WOMAN.

[FiSH767676]

уникальная женщина, великая актриса!

[Oerni93]

you mean 16 not 61, right?

[peppermintsunshine14]

Simply amazing



[nelamonster]

amazing port de bras!

[narnia27]

Captivating and hauntingly beautiful, I had goosebumps watching, more so than anything else I've ever seen in ballet. 61?! She'd be looking good if she was 30! Just shows how treating your body like a temple and conditioning it to this level keeps you young and healthy, this kind of agility and suppleness is a million miles away from average 20 year olds, nevermind anyone else. Just shows what the human body is capable of even if the vast majority don't get that out of it.

[theobosco]

She's Jewish, as many true Russian treasures.

[aniva26]

This is the true picture of perfect dancing- where you physically become what you're dancing! Unlike in Black Swan!

[razdang]

Класс!!!!

[razdang]

Изумительное видео, спасибо автору!

[marttta100]

потрясающе......нет слов!

[kathlnx0815]

i love her arms the way it looks like floating.. :)

[MissHauteStuff]

0 dislikes! GOOD!

coz this is truly A.MA.ZING!

[ScarletPeonies]

Once a graceful ballerina, always a graceful ballerina. Goes to show how beneficial plenty of exercise is for the body. :)

[gatesmarley]

Yes,God bless her...Russians are amazing,but she might surpassed all others of them...MG from Finland

[definitedoll]

that was amazing! i'm sobbing as i write this!

[QueenSemiramis]

61??!!  wow

[kkiimmiissiipp]

i love this one. way more than the movie version (plisetskaya and fadeyechev). here, she's thinner. and i love how she flaps her "wings." i guess she's better as an odette than an odile.

[Tap2323]

Artistry never ages. Absolutely beautiful.

[AZAHARALAZAR]

¡Cuánta delicadeza en sus movimientos! Es conmovedora!

[Sandrininja]

Life inspiration Майя !

[faithoffaith]

aw just beautifulx

[Gracelily06090]

she doesnt even look sixty one!plus,look at her gracefullness,her dance steps,im dancing ballet,but until 61 i guess my bones are too heavy.BRAVA,GOOD DANCING!I WISH I COULD BE LIKE YOU!!!

[wantonchica]

mamma mia....perfetta...stupenda

[theodoroskop70]

Gorgeus !!!

[marina1965]

God bless her! She is amazing!

[vladimmir100]

Руки, ужасные. Должны быть крылья. А это руки - змеи.

[superkiwi1000]

@vladimmir100 ей 61! Что вы ожидаете вы можете сделать лучше? нет, так что если вы не известный балетный критик не соватe нос где он попaль

[2skip2lou]

Sixty one?

Many can barely put on socks at that age.

[SeaAquaBlue]

SHE Is Simply AMAZING: THE BEST OF THE BEST!!

[rivombreuse]

Look at her wings!! A real swan.

[09Jerzy]

Fantasting legrnd..Bravo!!!!

[paterpaisios]

Amazing!