Natalia Osipova: Becoming a Swan

Natalia Osipova: Becoming a Swan is an intimate portrait of the work of a ballet superstar, and the story told in pictures of how she prepares for the most iconic role in all of ballet. Features over 150 black and white images of Osipova behind the scenes and on stage, including unique glimpses taken from the wings at Covent Garden. Andrej Uspenski has used his exclusive vantage point as a First Artist with The Royal Ballet, to produce a moving photographic tribute to the most exciting prima ballerina in the world today.

Foreword by Alexander Agadzhanov, the Royal Ballet's Senior Teacher and R p titeur.

"Osipova is not merely a world-class, instinctive technician (though she is supremely that), but specifically a performer who, by some strange magic, appears to find it easier to be off the ground than on it: the air welcomes and embraces her like no other female dancer I have ever seen. The tiniest skip seems to send her soaring, and yet - however high, far, or fast she jumps - she miraculously manages to land in complete silence." - Daily Telegraph

"The arrival of Natalia Osipova at the Royal Ballet should be a cause for national rejoicing: a superb actress and a jaw dropping dancer." - Sunday Times

Andrej Uspenski is a First Artist with The Royal Ballet and a passionate dance photographer. He was born in St Petersburg and trained at the Vaganova Ballet Academy and subsequently in Dresden and Berlin. He has been a member of The Royal Ballet for ten years. Andrej’s first collection of photography, DANCERS: Behind the scenes with The Royal Ballet, was published in April 2013 by Oberon Books. His photographs have also been featured in Royal Opera House programs as well as national magazines and newspapers.