Emperor Paul is known as a reformer who sought to improve the country, although some of his decisions may seem unusual today. For example, he changed the structure of Russian ballet by sending dancers to the army and assigning female performers to male roles. During his reign, the star of ballerina Evgenia Ivanovna Kolosova first shone.

Born in 1780 to the artist Ivan Neelov, Evgenia made her debut at the age of 14 on the stage of the Bolshoi (Stone) Theatre in St. Petersburg. At nineteen, she became part of the Imperial troupe. She graduated from a special educational institution for the children of court artists and performed male roles. Emperor Paul noticed her talent and supported her, which helped her become the prima of the troupe.

Evgenia married theatrical musician Mikhail Kolosov. She possessed not only beauty but also an outstanding talent that, according to Charles Didlo, knew no bounds. This renowned choreographer gave her leading roles. Colleagues spoke of her as a great artist and a kind woman, always ready to support young talents.

Evgenia Kolosova was one of the first to perform Russian dances on stage. She shone in tragic pantomimes and dramatic roles when the theater had not yet divided into narrow specializations, and artists were simultaneously dancers, actors, and singers. She was the first to replace the lavish dresses on stage with a light ballet tunic.

Evgenia Kolosova danced in the Imperial troupe for 30 years and then engaged in teaching until her death in 1869. Her daughter Alexandra became a famous Russian dramatic actress of the mid-19th century and was the wife of tragic actor Vasily Karatygin.

At that time, actresses often had wealthy patrons. Among Evgenia Kolosova's lovers were General Ivan Rimsky-Korsakov and Prince Nikolai Yusupov, with whom she possibly had a son.