Mariia Surovshchikova-Petipa

Mariia Sergeyevna Surovshchikova-Petipa (27 February 1836 – 16 March 1882) was prima ballerina to the St. Petersburg Imperial Theatres and wife of the noted choreographer Marius Petipa.

After her graduation from the institute she entered into the corps de ballet of the Imperial Bolshoi Kamenny Theatre, and in 1854 married Marius Petipa, who at that time served as premier danseur to the St. Petersburg Imperial Theatres.

As Petipa was given more and more opportunities to stage his own early works, it was Surovshchikova-Petipa who danced the principal roles.

Petipa also revived many already-existing ballets for her, including Joseph Mazilier's Le Corsaire in 1863.

[1] Upon her retirement she became an actress with the Alexandrinsky Theatre in St. Petersburg, performing in the plays of Pushkin, among others.