Rudolf Nureyev

17 March 1938 – 6 January 1993

Rudolf Nureyev was a Soviet-born ballet dancer and choreographer regarded as one of the greatest male dancers of the 20th century. He defected to the West in 1961 and became internationally famous, forming a legendary partnership with Margot Fonteyn at London's Royal Ballet. He later served as director of the Paris Opera Ballet from 1983 to 1989.

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Well-documented people whose lives overlapped with Rudolf Nureyev.

Life events

Born on a train near Irkutsk
17 March 1938

Rudolf Nureyev was born on a Trans-Siberian train near Irkutsk while his mother was travelling to Vladivostok.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Birth ✓
Joined the Leningrad Choreographic School
1955 – 1958

He began serious training at the ballet school attached to the Kirov (Mariinsky) Ballet in Leningrad.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Education ✓
Became a soloist with the Kirov Ballet
1958

He joined the Kirov Ballet and quickly rose to become one of its leading dancers.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Defected to the West in Paris
16 June 1961

While on tour he broke away from his Soviet minders at Le Bourget Airport and requested asylum in France.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Relocation ✓
Began partnership with Margot Fonteyn at the Royal Ballet
1962

He joined London's Royal Ballet as a guest artist, forming a celebrated stage partnership with Margot Fonteyn.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Debuted with Fonteyn in Giselle
21 February 1962

Their acclaimed first performance together in Giselle at Covent Garden launched their partnership.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Achievement ✓
Appointed director of the Paris Opera Ballet
1983 – 1989

He became artistic director of the Paris Opera Ballet, nurturing a new generation of dancers.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Career ✓
Died in Paris
6 January 1993

Nureyev died near Paris from complications of AIDS at the age of 54.

Source: en.wikipedia.org
Death ✓