RudolfNureyev Vs. Mikhail

Baryshnikov

By: Denise & Jordan Sinquefield

Rudolf NureyevBorn: March 17, 1938

Death: January 06, 1993

Father forbid dancing

Mother would “pretend” that she never saw him leave for dance classes

“You live as long as you dance” – Rudolf

Nureyev

Tights Only

“(Performing Ballet) You are naked all the time in front of the audience” – Rudolf Nureyev

-Russia did all they could to get him back to Russia- KGB wanted to break his legs and end his career.-June 16,1961 Rudolf Nureyev defects from Soviet Union at the Airport in France.

"I want to stay and to be free..."

“I want to die on the stage.” -

Rudolf Nureyev

-Tested positive for HIV in 1984

- He was last seen on stage October 8, 1992 at Palais Garnier

-At age 54, Rudolf died of AIDS

-His mosaic memorial resembles one of the oriental kilim rugs that Nureyev loved so much

Then Muppets Swine Lake

Featuring: Rudolf Nureyev

Mikhail Baryshnikov

Born to dance-Born January 27th, 1948 in Latvia

-Nickname: Misha-Started dancing at age12- Father wasn’t supportive-Jumped head first into ballet after mothers death-At 16 he started winning top rolls and honors

Practice Makes Perfect-He was a flawless dancer. -Large amount of

confidence-Creativity wasn’t allowed

in the Soviet Union-In 1974 while on tour in

Toronto he fled the KGB guards after the performance and was granted asylum by the Canadian government

American Soil-Joined the American Ballet Theatre

-The Prince in the ABT’s Nutcracker in 1977

-Danced under George Balanchine at the NYC Ballet

White Oak Dance Project

-Founded by Baryshnikov and Mark Morris in 1990

-Focused on giving choreographers a place to create new and fresh ideas

-Less mannered, and it gets closer to the hearts of the people watching

- Wasn’t quitting ballet, just wanted continuation of knowledge

And the Academy Award goes to......

The Turning Point (1977)The movie sparked interest in balletThis is a scene from “White Nights”

Nominated for 1 Oscar, 1 Golden Globe

Nominated for 7 Primetime Emmy’s and won 3

Won the David di Donatello Award in 78’ for the movie “The Turning Point”

In 1987 he won the Man of the Year in the Hasty Pudding Theatricals.

Who is the better performer?

The NutcrackerNureyev vs. Baryshnicov