Somes, Michael (1917-1994), won fame as a dancer with the Sadler’s Wells Ballet (now the Royal Ballet). As principal male dancer with the Sadler’s Wells company, Somes often partnered the British ballerina Margot Fonteyn. He created roles in Horoscope, Symphonic Variations, and Daphnis and Chlöe.
Michael George Somes was born on Sept. 28, 1917, in Horsley, Gloucestershire, England. He joined the Vic-Wells Ballet (now the Royal Ballet) in 1936 and remained for almost 50 years. He began his famous partnership with Margot Fonteyn in 1938. Somes became the company’s leading male dancer in 1950. He was married to the British ballerina Antoinette Sibley from 1964 to 1973. He retired from dancing in 1962, though he occasionally danced in minor roles. Somes was an assistant director of the Royal Ballet from 1962 to 1970 and rehearsal director from 1970 to 1974. He left the Royal Ballet in 1984 but taught some classes at the Royal Ballet School. He also staged ballets for other companies. Somes died on Nov. 19, 1994.
