1961 – Rudolf Nureyev defects in Paris

Down Arrow
Credit: Photograph by Boris Carmi, taken in Israel in 1963. From the National Library of Israel, currently in the Meitar Collection of the Pritzker Family National Photography Collection

Following his defection from the Soviet Union in Paris earlier that year, Rudolf Nureyev gives his first performance in the Britain in 1961 in Poème tragique at the Royal Academy of Dancing’s Gala Matinée at London’s Theatre Royal Drury Lane. The solo was choreographed by Frederick Ashton to music Alexander Scriabin, and the costume was by William Chappell

You May Also Like...

John Craxton
For over half a century, John Craxton was a major force in the visual arts of this country. From...
View
Lucette Aldous
You can hear in her voice how much Lucette Aldous appreciated and revelled in every step of her way...
View
Patrick Harding-Irmer
Here is Patrick Harding-Irmer proving that it is never too late to start dancing! He says, in this...
View