Dutch National Ballet

Legacies – Rudolf Nureyev

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Dates

15 February 2025

Location

Dutch National Opera & Ballet, Studio Boekman

Running time

1:00, no interval

Tickets

From € 10

Blown in a gentle wind met Jan Willem de Roo, Boudewijn Pleines en Rudolf Noerejev

Rudolf Nureyev, Jan Willem de Roo, and Boudewijn Pleines – Blown in a gentle wind | Photo: Jorge Fatauros

Groundbreaking legend

In the program series Legacies, we pay tribute to icons of opera and ballet history. And in that list, legendary dancer Rudolf Nureyev (1938-1993) cannot be missing. Born in Russia, Nureyev is considered one of the greatest ballet dancers of the 20th century. He also broke traditional gender roles as a choreographer by giving male dancers a larger role. During this second Legacies evening at Studio Boekman, we turn the spotlight on Nureyev's work and his inspiring from rags to riches life story. We will screen video clips and engage in conversation with a well-known Dutch choreographer (TBA).

Groundbreaking legend

Rudolf Nureyev

Russian star dancer Rudolf Nureyev began his career with the Kirov Ballet (now the Mariinsky Ballet) and made an international furore in 1961 when he sought asylum in the West during a Paris tour. From 1962 until the early 1970s, he held a permanent position with the Royal Ballet in London, where he formed a world-famous dance duo with star ballerina Margot Fonteyn. Their chemistry on stage was legendary.

Nureyev had extraordinary technique, jumping power and expressiveness.

His guest appearances with Dutch National Ballet brought the company international fame. Among other things, he danced there in Giselle and - at his own express request - in Rudi van Dantzig's Monument for a dead boy.

In addition to his dancing career, Nureyev was a celebrated choreographer. In his works - at a time when female dancers often took centre stage - he gave male ballet dancers prominent roles.

He also served as artistic director of the Ballet de l'Opéra National de Paris from 1983 to 1989. His charisma, glamorous lifestyle and open rebellion against conventions made him a cultural icon. Nureyev died of AIDS in Paris in 1993.

Legacies

Anyone who dives into the history of opera and ballet almost stumbles over the icons. Whether a few years ago or decades back, you come across countless influential and inspiring singers, dancers, composers, directors, choreographers, writers and artist collectives whose influence is still felt today. In Legacies, a program series at Studio Boekman, they are given a well-deserved stage.

Together with artists and creators of today, we highlight the life stories and artistic contributions of these opera and ballet icons and reflect on their impact on today's art world. The first Legacies evening featured former Dutch National Ballet dancer Benjamin Feliksdal.

Reissue of ‘Dancer’ by De Harmonie

The Legacies evening dedicated to Rudolf Nureyev is presented in conjunction with the reissue of the novel Dancer by the publishing house De Harmonie. In Dancer, Irish author Colum McCann portrays Nureyev's extraordinary life story through the perspectives of both real and fictional characters. The book will be available during the Legacies evening on 15 February at the Theatre Café.