Rudolf Khametovich Nureyev (17 March 1938 – 6 January 1993) was aRussianballetdancer. He was one of the most celebrated dancers of the 20thcentury. In 1961 he defected to the West, despiteKGB efforts to prevent him.[1] For some years he partneredDameMargot Fonteyn.
TheDictionary of Dance says "His repertoire was enormous, including all the classics and the modern standards".[2] After his period with Fonteyn, Nureyev worked in several countries.
His teacher was Aleksander Pushkin, like the famous Russian poet
Nureyev was director, principal dancer andchoreographer ofNureyev and Friends onBroadway (1974–75) and was artistic director of theParis Opera House from 1983 to 1989. He promoted junior dancers, such asSylvie Guillem, and commissioned new works. In the last years of his life he took upconducting.[2]
Nureyev wasgay. He and his partner, Erik Bruhn, died ofAIDS.[3]
