Biography

Russian Soviet ballet dancer, ballet teacher and actress. The younger sister of actress Raisa Reizen. Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1933). In the Bolshoy Theatre troupe 1909 - 1941. In 1909, after graduating from the Moscow Theater School (a student of V. D. Tikhomirov), she was accepted into the troupe of the Bolshoi Theater. Toured and performed abroad with Diaghilev's Ballets Russes 1910-1912 seasons. In the years of the formation of the Soviet ballet, she was one of the custodians of the best traditions of the Russian ballet school. Maria Reisen had a great drama talent. Her performance was distinguished by precise technique, lightness and brevity. She completed her ballet activities in 1941 or 1950, by which time she was already a teacher. In 1936-1948 she conducted pedagogical work with young artists of the Bolshoi Theater; in 1950-1951 taught at it's ballet school.