Baryshnikov, Mikhail << bah RIHSH nih kof, mih kah EEL >> (1948-…), became one of the world’s leading ballet dancers. Critics praised his style, called bravura, which features brilliant, daring dancing. Baryshnikov became known for his highly developed technique and his fine character interpretations.
Baryshnikov was born in Riga, Latvia (then part of the Soviet Union), on Jan. 27, 1948, and began to study ballet at the age of 12. By the time he was 19, he had become a soloist with the famous Kirov Ballet (now the Mariinsky Ballet) of Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). Baryshnikov defected to the West in 1974 and soon joined the American Ballet Theatre in New York City. He joined the New York City Ballet in 1978. He was artistic director of the American Ballet Theatre from 1980 to 1989.
Baryshnikov has danced principal roles in the standard ballet repertoire and in many modern works. He starred in several motion pictures, including The Turning Point (1977), White Nights (1985), and Dancers (1987). He has choreographed versions of The Nutcracker and Don Quixote. In 1990, Baryshnikov formed a touring company, the White Oak Dance Project, with choreographer Mark Morris. In 2002, Baryshnikov disbanded the dance project and announced the establishment of the Baryshnikov Arts Center, which opened in New York City in 2005. In 2006 and 2007, he danced with a small group called Hell’s Kitchen Dance. From 2007 to 2010, Baryshnikov toured with the Spanish dancer Ana Laguna. He then starred in a dramatic role in the play In Paris (2011).
See also Ballet (Recent developments) .
