born April 2, 1905, Kiev, Ukraine, Russian Empire
died Dec. 15, 1986, Lausanne, Switz.
Russian-born French dancer, choreographer, and ballet master.
In 1923 he joined the Ballets Russes , where he became lead dancer in 1925 and created title roles in several of George Balanchine 's ballets. He worked at the Paris Opéra Ballet as lead dancer and ballet master (1929–45, 1947–58), choreographing more than 50 works, including Prometheus (1929), Icarus (1935), Les Mirages (1947), and Les Noces fantastiques (1955). He rebuilt the company as a separate performing group, emphasizing the importance of male dancers. He retired as a dancer in 1956 but continued to choreograph for various European companies.
Lifar in Night, 1930
BBC Hulton Picture Library