Rudolf Nureyev staged and choreographed 15 ballets between 1963 and 1992.
Nureyev’s productions of the great 19th century classics included ballets rarely seen outside Russia as well as new versions of titles already familiar to Western audiences. While Nureyev never lost his respect for the heritage of these classical masterpieces, he was unafraid to make changes, believing the ballets should be preserved, not embalmed.
“To me a work of art is something alive.”
Rudolf Nureyev
His original choreographic works include familiar titles, like Romeo and Juliet and Cinderella, as well as ballets exploring his interests in literature and psychology: Tancredi, Manfred and Washington Square.
Many of these ballets live on in the repertoire of companies around the world, licensed through the Foundation’s partner, Les Editions Mario Bois. Fifty years after they were first performed, Nureyev’s choreographies continue to inspire today’s audiences and to challenge new generations of dancers.
Browse Francette Levieux’s rehearsal and performance images in our Image Library.
