Notes

Erik Bruhn (1928-1986). Trained at the Royal Danish Ballet school, Bruhn danced with many companies, most notably the Royal Danish Ballet and the American Ballet Theatre. Had a celebrated partnership with Carla Fracci. He moved to character roles after retiring as a danseur noble. Directed the Royal Swedish Ballet from 1967-1971, and the National Ballet of Canada from 1983 until his death.

Léonide Massine (1896-1979). Trained in Moscow, and danced with the Bolshoi Ballet before joining the Ballet Russes. Became the Principal Choreographer of the company, creating ballets like Parade (1917), La Boutique fantasque and Le Tricorne (both 1919). After Diaghilev’s death in 1929 he worked with the Ballet Russes’ successor companies, making works such as Les Présages (1933) and Gaîté Parisienne (1938). Appeared in the 1948 film The Red Shoes, and later taught and staged his ballets around the world.

David Lichine (1910-1972). As a teenager trained with Russian expatriate teachers in Paris, making his debut with Ida Rubenstein’s company in 1928. Danced with the troupes of Anna Pavlova and Bronislava Nijinska before joining the Ballets Russes de Monte-Carlo (later the Original Ballet Russe). Both danced and choreographed for the company, with his most notable work being Graduation Ball (1940). Was a dance character model for the Disney films Fantasia (1940) and Make Mine Music (1946). Later staged and produced ballets, as well as teaching alongside his wife Tatiana Riabouchinska.

Niels Bjørn Larsen (1913-2003). Long-serving Royal Danish Ballet dancer who trained at the Royal Danish Ballet School. Became known for mime roles like Madge (La Sylphide) and Dr Coppélius (Coppélia), along with creating the role of Tybalt in Frederick Ashton’s Romeo and Juliet (1955). Directed the Royal Danish Ballet from 1951-1956 and 1961-1965, alongside directing the Pantomimeteatret at Tivoli Gardens, Copenhagen from 1956-1980.

Autograph paper taken from an autograph book.