MUSIC 1962: Ballet Dream Duo Fonteyn and Nureev in GISELLE

Dream Duo

After the curtain had fallen last week on the Royal Ballet's production of Giselle at London's Covent Garden, Dame Margot Fonteyn plucked a single long-stemmed red rose from one of her many bouquets and with a deep curtsy presented it to her young partner—ex-Kirov Ballet Danseur Rudolf Nureev. The young Russian lowered his eyes, sank to his knees and kissed the assoluta's hand. The audience exploded in an ovation that lasted through 23 curtain calls.

Ever since Nureev defected while in Paris with the Kirov Ballet and began to be hailed there as a major star in his performances with...

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