born March 17, 1938, Irkutsk, Russia, U.S.S.R.
died Jan. 6, 1993, Paris, Fr.
Russian ballet dancer.
After studying ballet in Leningrad (1955–58), he joined the Kirov Ballet as a soloist. He defected during the company's tour to Paris in 1961. Thereafter he danced as a guest artist with many companies, especially the Royal Ballet , where he regularly partnered Margot Fonteyn . His performances, combining an intensely romantic sensibility with stunning muscularity and technique, made him an international star. He choreographed new versions of Romeo and Juliet , Manfred , and The Nutcracker . From 1983 to 1989 he was artistic director of the Paris Opéra Ballet.
Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn
Keystone