Vladislav Lantratov and Denis Savin in the duet of Nureyev and Erik from Nureyev

Vladislav Lantratov as Rudolf Nureyev and Denis Savin as Erik Bruhn in the duet of Nureyev and Erik from Nureyev, music by Ilya Demutsky, choreography by Yuri Possokhov. Benois de la Danse 2018, World Ballet Stars and Nominees to the Prize concert, shot on 5.6.2018 in the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow.

Vladislav Lantratov (Rus Владислав Лантратов) is currently a Principal with the Bolshoi Theatre, Moscow. e was born in Moscow to the ballet family. In 2006 he completed his studies at the Moscow Choreographic Academy (Ilya Kuznetsov’s class), he joined the Bolshoi Ballet Company. At the present time, his teachers-repetiteurs are Mikhail Lavrovsky and Valery Lagunov.

Denis Savin (Rus Денис Савин) is currently a Leading Soloist with the Bolshoi Theatre Ballet. Denis was born in Moscow. In 2002, on completing his studies at Bolshoi Ballet Academy (Igor Uksusnikov’s class), he joined the corps de ballet of the Bolshoi theatre. Actually from the outset he was entrusted with solo parts. The next season at the theatre he received the title role of Romeo in Romeo and Juliet to music by S. Prokofiev, he danced this part at the first night performance.  His repetiteur is Victor Barykin.

Rudolf Nureyev (Rudolf Khametovich Nureyev 1938 – 1993) was a Soviet ballet and contemporary dancer and choreographer. He was director of the Paris Opera Ballet from 1983 to 1989 and its chief choreographer until October 1992. Named Lord of the Dance, Nureyev is regarded as the greatest male ballet dancer. In addition to his technical prowess, Rudolf Nureyev was an accomplished choreographer. He produced his own interpretations of numerous classical works, including Swan Lake, Giselle, and La Bayadère. Nureyev had his early career with the Mariinsky Ballet in St. Petersburg. He defected from the Soviet Union to the West in 1961, despite KGB efforts to stop him. This was the first defection of a Soviet artist during the Cold War and it created an international sensation. He went on to dance with The Royal Ballet in London and from 1983 to 1989 served as director of the Paris Opera Ballet.

Erik Bruhn (Erik Belton Evers Bruhn 1928 – 1986) was a Danish danseur, choreographer, artistic director, actor, and author. Bruhn met Rudolf Nureyev, after Nureyev defected to the West in 1961. Nureyev was a great admirer of Bruhn, having seen filmed performances of the Dane on tour in Russia with the American Ballet Theatre, although stylistically the two dancers were very different. Bruhn became the great love of Nureyev’s life and the two remained close for 25 years, until Bruhn’s death. Erik Bruhn died in Toronto General Hospital 1986 at the age of 57. His death was attributed to lung cancer, however, according to Pierre-Henri Verlhac, he might have died of AIDS.

Photos by Jack Devant Ballet Photography with kind permission of the Benois de la Danse and Bolshoi Theatre, special thanks to Nina Kudriavtseva-Loory.