Tagged Rudolf Nureyev

Our top 10 dancers of all time: #5 – Rudolf Nureyev

Rudolf Nureyev at Number 5 in SK Dance Studio Top 10 dancers of all time list

Without question in our eyes, Rudolf Nureyev was (and still is) the most magnificent male Ballet dancer of all time who left a legacy for which every dancer since should be eternally grateful… he brought Ballet to the masses.

Born in the Soviet Union in 1938, Nureyev overcame crippling poverty and the disapproval of his macho father to pursue his passion for Ballet, having become hooked after stealing into a performance of the Ballet “Song of the Cranes”. Undeterred he sneaked off for Ballet lessons, earning money by dancing as an extra at the local Opera House to pay his way.

At 17, he won a place at the Leningrad Ballet School where he worked incredibly hard to perfect his craft. This led to a soloist contract with the Kirov Ballet in St Petersburg where he danced in 15 major productions, including taking the lead in Don Quixote, Giselle, La Bayadère, The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake.

But above all else, Nureyev understood that Ballet was about much more than flawless technique. He put his absolute heart and soul into his performances, giving him a totally magnetic appeal which made him the toast of Russia. In 1961, Nureyev went to Paris on a European tour with the Kirov, where he electrified audiences and critics alike. That year, he also made his London debut where he partnered Margot Fonteyn at her annual gala for the Royal Academy of Dancing.

Soon, audiences in theatres all over Western World were mesmerised by Nureyev’s expressive performances, but his appeal didn’t end there. TV and film producers quickly cottoned on to how well Rudolf’s magnetism translated to the screen and so filmed his performances for transmission all over the world, opening up an appreciation of Ballet to literally millions of people. He even danced a pas de deux with Miss Piggy in “Swine Lake” – How very un-high brow!

Click here to watch Rudolf Nureyev with Margot Fonteyn in Swan Lake.

Nobody did more for the reputation and appeal of Ballet than Rudolf Nureyev, so for this reason, he thoroughly deserves his place in the SK Dance Studio Top 10 Dancers of All Time list.