16 replies to this topic

[dirac]

I saw photographs of him in Appalachian Spring.  Always wondered what that performance must have been like.

It's too bad the Nureyev/Apollo relationship had a sad ending, with the Balanchine Trust taking the rights away from him -- age was taking its toll on his performances.  Barbara Horgan was quoted as saying they were very sorry to have to do it, but "it just couldn't go on like that."

[Alymer]

Sad to say the Balanchine Trust was right to stop Nureyev dancing Apollo.  His late performances did little honour either to the ballet or the dancer.  But when he first danced the role it was amazing.  Certainly a very demi-caractere approach and quite different to the way NYCB dances it today.  But Wow! All at once you realised the story those steps and gestures had originally conveyed.  What was also rather touching was that he was clearly trying to cool down the temperament.  The result was rather like a boiler with the pressure valve screwed down....