Lyubov Gershunova

Lyubov Vasilievna Gershunova (, 5 August 1947 – 30 October 2006) was a Soviet and Russian ballet dancer, prima ballerina of the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theatre, People's Artist of the RSFSR.

Biography Lyubov Gershunova was born in Novosibirsk. She graduated from the .

On 1 July 1967, she was invited to the ballet troupe of the Novosibirsk Opera and Ballet Theater, working there until 31 May 1990.

She toured Australia, New Zealand, France, Canada, Brazil, Japan, Argentina, and others.

From 1999 until her death she worked together with her husband as a teacher at the school of arts at secondary school № 23 in Novosibirsk.

Personal life Her life, personal and professional, was closely connected with Anatoly Berdyshev, an artist and ballet master. Their friendship began at school and grew into a lifelong love affair as they grew older. He was not only her constant stage partner, but also her husband since 1967. Movie "The Story of One Duet" (1984) is dedicated to the couple's creativity.

The couple's son, Anatoly Berdyshev Jr, also devoted his life to ballet. In 1979 she performed the leading role of the Sylph in La Sylphide, staged in Novosibirsk by Pierre Lacotte. Other notable performances:

Swan Lake (Odette-Odile) Giselle (Giselle) The Nutcracker (Masha) Spartacus (Phrygia) La Bayadère (Nikiya) Macbeth (Lady Macbeth) Juno and Avos (Conchita)

Awards Lyubov Gershunova was a laureate of the State Prize of the RSFSR (1980), People's Artist of the RSFSR (1982), laureate of the International Ballet Competition in Varna (1972). In addition, the ballerina was awarded the Medal "For Labour Valour" (1970) and the Order of the Red Banner of Labour (1986).