Festa Romeo and Juliet (pas de deux) La Sylphide (staged) La Ventana (staged) |
Born in Copenhagen, Erik
Bruhn was noted for his
outstanding classical
technique, who appeared
mainly as a guest artist with
North American and
European companies.
Bruhn entered the training
school for the Royal Danish
Ballet in 1937, joined the
company in 1947, and was
promoted to soloist in 1949.
To enrich his repertory, he
took a leave of absence
(1949-58) to dance with the
American Ballet Theatre;
after relinquishing his
permanent membership with
the Royal Danish Ballet
(1961), he again danced with
American Ballet Theatre. He
also performed with such
companies as the New York
City Ballet, the Royal Ballet,
the Australian Ballet, the
Royal Swedish Ballet, and the
Paris Opera Ballet.
Frequently
described as an ideal danseur
noble, Bruhn was noted for
his exceptionally graceful
portrayals in such 19th-century
Romantic ballets as La
Sylphide, Giselle, and
Swan Lake. He was also
praised for his interpretations
of Jean in Miss Julie
and Don Jose in Carmen
and for his performances
on American television. In
1967, he was appointed Director
of Ballet at the Royal Swedish
Opera House, a position that
he held until 1972. Thereafter
he was chiefly associated
with Canada's National Ballet,
first as an Assistant Director
and then as Director from
1983 until his death in 1986.
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