Yes, it did. But the first great period of ballet didn't begin until the 1800s. A Frenchman, Charles-Louis Didelot is considered to be the "father of the Russian ballet". He put on productions there. After that there were many famous ballerinas! I always dreamed of being a ballerina when I was a child, but I think it was really quite a hard life. I know many died at a young age. Nowadays it's a bit different though. Take Rudolf Nureyev for example, he died when he was in his 50s, much older than some of the early teenage dancers. I think he must be the most famous Russian ballet dancer. He danced with Margot Fonteyn, they were known as "Rudi and Margot". Russian influence on ballet continues today, both through visits from Russian companies and the activities of defecting Soviet dancers such as Rudolf Nureyev, Natalia Makarova, and Mikhail Barishnikov. Yes, Russian ballet is still definitely popular, that's why I'm writing this piece. I think we should go to the ballet and see what it's really about.