Ballet legend Rudolf Nureyev dies at 54

Rudolf Nureyev, one of historys greatest ballet dancers who revolutionized mens role in ballet,
died 6 Jan. 1993, at the age of 54, in a hospital near Paris. Nureyev gave new life to ballets
classic pieces and revolutionized the role of the male dancer.

Nureyev, often compared to Vaslav Nijinksy as one of the greatest male ballet dancers of all
time, served as the Artistic Director for the Paris Opera Ballet. He choreographed and restaged
many ballets that had lost their luster and depicted a new level of emotion and depth in the
characters.

Nureyevs doctor, Michel Canesi reported the dancer died of a cardiac complication, following
a grievous illness. Later, Dr. Canesi confirmed in an interview with Le Figaro, a French national
newspaper, that Nureyev had suffered from AIDS. Dr. Canesi explained that revealing Nureyevs
condition was a way to show there is no such thing as a shameful disease. Canesi believed the
dancers legacy can help to erase the stigma associated with AIDS.

Nureyev received formal training from the Kirov Ballet School in Leningrad. His dedication to
classical ballet technique earned him starring roles, but his rebellious attitude put him on the
KGBs radar. On tour in Paris with the Kirov Ballet, Nureyev boldly defected from the Soviet
Union in 1961. Nureyev evaded attempts by the KGB to keep him from leaving. Nureyevs
defection drew international attention. He quickly gained roles with the Grand Ballet du Marquis

de Cuevas, but suffered personally as he was not allowed to return to the Soviet Union until
1987, when Mikhail Gorbachev granted Nureyev permission to visit his mother at her death bed.

Nureyev broke into the Western ballet scene with a fiery passion that took audiences by storm.
Nureyevs heated, arrogant personality electrified his dancing and gained him celebrity status. He
drew new audiences to the ballet world. Nureyev was instrumental in maintaining and building
ballets popularity throughout the 1960s.

As a dancer, Nureyev was committed to perfecting his technique. He taught other dancers
increase their skill and maximize the effects of their movements. He encouraged dancers to turn
the smallest step into a grand gesture. This bold style excited and shocked dance lovers.

As a choreographer, Nureyev reinvented many of the great classical ballets such as Sleeping
Beauty, Swan Lake, and The Nutcracker. Other choreographers staged these ballets the same way
for years, boring audiences with the surface level messages of love at first sight and happily ever
after. Nureyev delved beyond the superficial message and highlighted the emotions and
motivations of the characters. Never before had dancers explored the characters backgrounds so
extensively. His analysis gave previously flat characters a story. This dedication connected the
dancers to the audience on a new level.

Nureyev redefined the role of the male ballet dancer. For years, females were always the lead
while male dancers acted simply as a backdrop. Nureyev created new choreography for male
dancers, inserting these pieces into the great classical ballets. His ability to analyze characters

made the male roles relatable to the audience. Audience members cared about the strife and
growth of the male characters because Nureyev gave them a story. Nureyev showed male dancers
how to translate their talents to the stage and gain the attention and favor of the audience.
Nureyev carved a path for male dancers in a female-dominated industry, giving them the tools to
both dazzle and connect to audiences.