Aleksandrs Lembergs
1921–1985
Ballet dancer, ballet master, educator, Premier danseur of the Latvian State Opera and Ballet
One of the most prominent Latvian ballet personalities of the second half of the 20th century.
Born 25 March 1921 in Rīga. Studied at the National Opera Ballet School (1932–1936), graduated from the Aleksandra Fyodorova Ballet School (1938), and undertook further studies in Paris with L. Yegorova. From 1938 to 1939, was a soloist with the French ballet company Ballet de la jeunesse, then became Premier danseur of the Latvian National Opera (1939–1945, 1947–1965).
Lemberg’s most danced and intricately developed classical ballet role was that of Prince Siegfried in Tchaikovsky’s ballet Swan Lake. “In the role of Prince Siegfried, Lembergs presents an accurate, psychologically justified character. Lemberg’s portrayal is composed in all its details, convinces and captivates with its sublime simplicity. His performance is light and scenically appealing.” (Sam-Hiors. Outstanding performance at our ballet theatre. Swan Lake at the Opera and Ballet Theatre. Literatūra un Māksla (Literature and Art). 10 June 1951)
From 1968 to 1985, the artist worked as the chief ballet master of the Latvian National Opera, staging and reviving 17 performances. He raised a new generation of talented dancers. Under his guidance, the Latvian National Opera Ballet gained international recognition and admiration all over the world. Lembergs also executed the responsible duties of ballet master for the first closing concert of the First All-Union Amateur Art Festival at the Opera and Ballet Theatre (1975). Over the same period, he engaged in teaching – he was an educator at (1957–1972) and principal (1964–1968) of the Rīga Choreography School.
He took on the opportunity to become a Chief choreographer at the Dance Celebration with great enthusiasm, enlisting the help of Uldis Šteins, artistic director of the Vektors folk-dance group. In total, they created 17 arena dance choreographies for the festivals, which continue to be featured in Song Celebration closing concerts.
A Chief choreographer at the 4th-6th, 8th and 9th Dance Celebrations, actively participated in dance-competition juries.
Latvian SSR Order of Honour for Art (1955), People’s Performing Artist of the Latvian SSR (1971) and People’s Performing Artist of the USSR (1982).
