Yury Grigorovich, a monumental figure in the realm of Russian ballet who led Moscow’s Bolshoi Theater as its chief choreographer for thirty years, has passed away at the age of 98, as announced by the Bolshoi on Tuesday.

Born in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg) to a family of ballet artists, Grigorovich’s extensive career as a dancer and choreographer spanned an impressive eight decades. He became the central creative force driving the Bolshoi, which he was often said to oversee with strong authority.

“Yury Grigorovich, a pivotal figure in the world of ballet in the latter half of the 20th century, has passed away,” the Bolshoi stated on social media.

“The conclusion of an entire era has been marked,” the Mariinsky Theater, where Grigorovich began his illustrious career, noted in its own announcement.

Grigorovich received widespread recognition for his interpretations of ballet masterpieces, including “The Nutcracker,” “Swan Lake,” and “The Stone Flower,” the latter being considered his hallmark piece, with music composed by Sergei Prokofiev.

“He had the unique ability to perceive in artists qualities we ourselves were unaware of,” said Bolshoi principal dancer Denis Rodkin in an interview with the state-owned TASS news agency. “He enabled us to fully realize our potential on stage, allowing us to feel and live every moment.”

Grigorovich also choreographed the opening ceremony of the 1980 Moscow Olympics and participated as a juror in prestigious competitions, such as France’s “Benois de la Danse,” often referred to as the “Oscars of ballet.”

In 1995, he left the Bolshoi amid criticism that the theater had become artistically stagnant during his final years. However, he returned in 2008 as a choreographer, and critics remarked that his impact on Russia’s leading stage remained significant.

“It is an era that greatly influenced what followed,” wrote Russian-Georgian ballet star Nikolai Tsiskaridze on social media. “His legacy is unparalleled. This was a life that will not be forgotten… A true genius.”