Rudolf Nureyev was a 20th century icon, equally famous on and off the stage.
From the 1960s onwards, people who knew nothing about ballet knew about Rudolf Nureyev. His decision to defect from the Soviet Union in 1961 – the first dancer to do so – launched Rudolf Nureyev into three decades of performance in which the music, and the headlines, never seemed to stop.
From his birth into poverty in 1938, through unprecedented fame and celebrity, to his untimely death in Paris in 1993, Rudolf Nureyev’s story has become the stuff of legend. Find out more about Rudolf Nureyev’s life, his performances, his choreographies, his impact on dance and the legacy he leaves behind.
Discover Nureyev is intended to be a rich and accessible resource with accurate information about Rudolf Nureyev’s life, work and legacy. The Nureyev Database is a work in progress and we welcome further information that will help ensure this unique resource is complete.
Nureyev’s Life
Explore a timeline of Rudolf Nureyev’s life
Nureyev’s Work
Explore Nureyev’s creative output as performer and choreographer
Nureyev’s Legacy
Explore Nureyev’s lasting impact and influence
The Collections
Explore The Nureyev Collections and archives
The Nureyev Database
A searchable catalogue of Nureyev’s work as performer, choreographer, producer and conductor. Our database is a work in progress and we welcome further information that will help ensure this unique resource is accurate and complete.
