He also made stagings of the classics, which he felt so necessary for the development of his company, remounting Swan Lake and The Nutcracker. In addition, he encouraged young dancers in his company – including Jiri Kylian and John Neumeier – to try their hand at choreography. Cranko’s gift for nuanced story-telling, clear dramatic structure and his exquisite mastery of the art of the pas de deux conquered New York audiences during a triumphant season at the Metropolitan Opera House in 1969. Worldwide acclaim soon followed, as Cranko and his young company toured the globe. John Cranko died prematurely at age 45 on June 26, 1973, on a return flight from a successful U.S.A. tour.