Mikhail Baryshnikov, the Russian ballet star and former principal dancer, defected to the West during a tour of Canada in 1970. He was already a celebrated dancer in the Soviet Union, having won numerous awards and accolades for his performances.
Born in Riga, Latvia in 1948, Baryshnikov began studying ballet as a child and was accepted into the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet when he was 11 years old. After graduating from the Academy, he joined the Kirov Ballet in Leningrad (now St. Petersburg). He quickly rose through the ranks of the company and became its principal dancer at age 22.
Baryshnikov’s international career began when he was invited to tour with a Kirov ensemble in London in 1966. He went on to perform all over Europe and North America with both the Kirov and Bolshoi ballets. During this period, Baryshnikov also began choreographing his own works and choreographing for other companies.
His decision to defect came after two performances of Don Quixote in Toronto with Natalia Makarova on June 24th, 1970. During rehearsal for the second performance, Baryshnikov made his escape in a car waiting outside the theater. He first requested asylum at a Canadian consulate but later decided to move to New York City instead where he would join American Ballet Theatre as their principal dancer shortly afterwards.
Due to his defection, Baryshnikov was effectively exiled from Russia until 1989 when he performed there for the first time since 1970. He continued to perform with ABT until 1977 before joining New York City Ballet where he stayed until 1978. In addition to performing and choreographing for both companies, he also served as artistic director of ABT from 1980-1989 before becoming a professor at SUNY Purchase College’s Conservatory of Dance from 1994-2002.
Mikhail Baryshnikov’s defection was one of the most talked-about events in dance history due to its unprecedented nature at that time period. His decision not only allowed him more freedom as an artist but it also opened up doors for other dancers who wanted more opportunities outside their home countries.
In conclusion, Mikhail Baryshnikov is widely known as one of Russia’s greatest ballet stars who defected to the West in 1970 during a tour of Canada with Natalia Makarova’s company. His decision not only gave him more freedom as an artist but also opened up opportunities for other dancers looking for greater opportunities abroad which has had lasting impact on dance history ever since then .
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