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There has been a few articles in "Google News" about Nico learning ballet during the last few months! He claims that he doesn't have the knees for ballet (?). Oh well, perhaps this special will be a good idea after all and bring a younger audience into the world of ballet, and they will be curious about this phenomenon called "Nureyev."

Nureyev was a guest on Letterman in 1989 - he was promoting "The King and I," and Letterman asked his usual silly questions about ballet. Also, Letterman appeared to be in shock that Rudi was to be a guest. Rudi also appeared on Merv Griffin's afternoon talk show in the 70's, as well as Cavett's show. None of the hosts seemed to know anything about ballet, though.

Dutch pop star to portray Rudi! According to London's Daily Mail, a Dutch pop star turned actor, Michiel Huisman, will play Rudi in the tv show, "Margot." He also has never danced before. A production exec. stated that, after scores of actors and dancers auditioned, Huisman was the only one who had the combination of animal magnitism and exoticism.

Derek Jacobi will portray Sir Fred Ashton; Penelope Wilton as Margot's Mom; and Lindsay Duncan will play Ninette de Valois. The only name I recognize is Jacobi.

I agree with you - one of my friends in the UK did see him dance Solor - she said that the entire audience just gasped when he soared, and they didn't think he was ever going to land! I am stunned that the BBC didn't film his Bayadere - I was told that the BBC did not retain most ballet performances; I guess history wasn't on their minds. It really is awful to think about.

Thank you for the question and for the answer. I wish Rudolf's foundation would release a compilation DVD of all the films in their possession of Rudolf dancing, similar to the Alla Scala DVD - only with English commentary and longer film clips. It's a shame that all of those historical dance films are only in the NYPL.

Fandeballet, did you see Rudolf in Bayadere? I wished I had, but always missed it.

More news reports today and yesterday state that this film is based on Daneman's book. Oh, Lord! There must be a need for BBC4 to air trash; I guess trash does sell. There was also something about a Nancy Bishop (some sort of production agent) looking for a "Rudolf Nureyev" look-alike, in his mid-twenties, for the role. She stated that a dancer would be preferable; if not, a double would be used for the dancing! And production begins the end of June. It does get sillier and sillier.

Google News reports that this film will be a 90 minute drama "which will explore her relationship with Russian dancer Rudolf Nureyev," and will air in the autumn. This seems to be just another juicy, gossipy thing, and dancing will be minimal.

Cristian, this was a fascinating article, written brilliantly. Thank you for sharing your memories and knowledge. We rarely hear of the ballet history in Cuba.

Leonid, this was a beautifully written tribute to Dame Margot. Thank you for sharing it with us. You made me cry.

This was a wonderful review. Thank you. It's hard to imagine that it is the end of an era at the POB. Nureyev certainly had outstanding vision in his etoiles.

dirac,

I could never envision just one person portraying Rudolf, but a combination of a few dancers. My amalgam would consist of Charles Jude, Farouk Ruzimatov, Konstantin Zalinsky, Patrick Armand, and Irek Mukhamedov. They all possess certain traits and abilities that remind me of Rudolf. Charles and Konstantin are the only two dancers, other than Rudolf (of course), who held my attention enough that I didn't notice the scenery.

I haven't been able to travel as much as before, so I am not sure who among the current dancers I would include in my mix.

Are you able to think of anyone? It really does seem to be an impossibility, doesn't it.

What a sad announcement. Thank God that there are films of her.

Rest in peace, Ninel.

Thank you for the information. It sounds exhausting, perphaps interesting, but odd.

Is anyone aware of a new film about Rudolf Nureyev, titled "Nureyev?"

According to an article on the Canadian TV website, regarding the show "So You Think You Can Dance Canada," Nico Archambault, last December's winner, has recently been cast "as the iconic ballet dancer Rudolf Nureyev in "Nureyev" - the upcoming dance drama about the dancer's legacy."

I googled Nico and discovered that he is a contemporary, hip-hop dancer; age 24, with multiple facial piercings and a mini-mohawk. Not exactly the type I would expect to portray Rudolf!

I don't know who I would like to see in a film about Nureyev - the ones I had previously thought of are either retired or too old now.

Who do you think could do justice in a portrayal of Rudolf?

Nureyev's "Don Quixote" with the Australian Ballet is a glorious performance - wonderful, lively dancing and a great corps, and wonderful color (since it was enhanced on DVD).

Welcome Penny,

I can list a few fotowebs that may help you. All you would have to do is type in the name of a dancer in the "Search" block, i.e., Nureyev, Baryshnikov, or any one else.

images.google.de

TopFoto.CO.UK

TimeLifepictures.com

Magnumphotos.com

Alamy.com

There are a multitude of photos. Good luck!

Welcome Katklaris. I know you will enjoy this group. Everyone is very nice and knowledgeable. There are so many interesting topics. I really have learned a lot.

Congratulations to Manuel. Vienna is very fortunate to have him as their new Director. It's hard to believe that he is now in his 40's! Brilliant dancer.

Rudolf Nureyev and Margot Fonteyn dancing their first Giselle, February 21, 1962, with the Royal Ballet would set my heart a-flutter. Actually, anything they danced together would be wonderful.

Boston PBS aired the "Nutcracker" last night, 12/17/08. It was lovely, but I did miss scenery. I sent the station an e-mail to thank them for (finally) airing a ballet and hoped that they would air more in 2009. I also asked why they stopped since there are quite a lot of us who love ballet.

I wonder if an e-mail "on-slaught" will do any good with PBS? Has anyone received respones from their local station regarding the airing of ballet, and if they have plans to show more programs? I am a great believer in sending letters, e-mails, calls, etc. - they do want our money! At least someone from PBS responds within 24-48 hours.

"Raymonda" will be shown on France 3 on Christmas Day, according to the Nureyev.Org newsletter, in honor of Rudolf Nureyev. They included a link to click onto, which provided information, video clips, as well as info regarding the December 19 program honoring Rudolf - however, everything is written in French:

http://culturebox.france3.fr/#/raymonda

I have just learned that there will be a second documentary about Rudolf Nureyev on French television on December 19, 2008. It is called "Portrait of Rudolf Noureev," on France 3 (tv station). The name of the actual television show is: "Magazine L'Heure de l'Opera." It is to honor Rudolf on the 15th anniversary of his untimely death. It will feature memories from Charles Jude, Patrice Bart, Sylvie Guillem, Ghislaine Thesmar, as well as other stars of the POB.

The other documentary will be January 26, 2009, on television France 2.

I hope some of the members from France will report on these documentaries for us.

This is very sad news. He was such a class act. Mr. Barnes always hit the nail right on the head with his eloquence. One of the greatest dance critics there ever was. My condolences to his family. Rest in peace, Mr. Barnes, and thank you for a lifetime devoted to joyously spreading the word about ballet.

A new documentary on Rudolf Nureyev will be aired in France on January 26, 2009. It will be on Television France 2. It is called "Rudolf Noureev l'Attraction Celeste." I do not know if it will be televised in the U. S. - I hope PBS is paying attention! For more information, please see the website:

www.nureyev.org

Greetings to everyone! After visiting as a guest several times, I finally decided to sign up.

I've been a ballet fan for almost as long as I can remember. I've seen performances in several cities in the northeastern and midwestern United States. I own several books on the subject, as well as many DVDs and (gasp!) videocasettes.

Here are some of the companies I've seen, in no particular order:

— American Ballet Theatre

— New York City Ballet

— Pennsylvania Ballet

— Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre

— Ballet San Jose

— National Ballet of Canada

— Paul Taylor Dance Company

— Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet

I'm grateful that this site exists, and I'm proud to be a part of it. I'm looking forward to learning more and participating often.

I'm particularly interested in Diaghilev's Ballets Russes and Vaslav Nijinsky. It's going to be a pretty interesting year in 2009, and I hope to make it to Boston in May for the centennial celebration: http://www.ballets-russes.com/

I know you will enjoy Ballet Talk. There are so many interesting topics being discussed. You certainly have been fortunate to see so many different companies. I am from Boston, and I am eagerly anticipating the centennial. Like you, I have a lot of video cassettes and just hope and pray the old VCR continues to work.