Here, as elsewhere, recently promoted principal dancer Chase Finlay shone with ever-increasing maturity and charisma.

WSJ: An Occasion to Reflect on Peter Martins's Legacy | By Robert Greskovic

He became principal dancer with the Ballet Russe and created many ballets for Diaghilev.

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The Bolshoi's general director, Anatoly Iksanov, accused longtime principal dancer Nikolai Tsiskaridze of inspiring the attack.

NPR: Dancer Admits Being Behind Bolshoi Chief Attack

"It's much more difficult than to do something that is showing off, " said principal dancer Roberto Bolle.

WSJ: Drama Seizes the Stage, Without a Word

The Bolshoi's general director, Anatoly Iksanov, has accused veteran principal dancer Nikolai Tsiskaridze of inspiring the attack.

NPR: Dancer Accused In Bolshoi Attack Defends Actions

Six years later, Smirnov is a principal dancer with the company, doing classic Balanchine roles he'd dreamed of performing as a student.

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Ms Novikova, the Bolshoi spokeswoman, says there may have been a meeting between Filin and Tsiskaridze's student, but she believes the principal dancer is overreacting.

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Deborah Bull - Principal Dancer at the Royal Ballet since 1992.

BBC: Angel of the Arts Council

Zakharova graduated from Varganova Academy in 1996, aged 17, and immediately joined the Mariinsky Ballet -- one of Russia's preeminent ballet companies -- and a year later was promoted to principal dancer.

CNN: Bolshoi Prima ballerina's grace under pressure

Despite making comebacks after the birth of both of her children, in 2006 she announced her retirement as a principal dancer at the Royal Ballet because of injuries to her body and physical stress.

BBC: NEWS | Entertainment | Darcey Bussell's dance to the top