Escaped from the USSR: how was the fate of a Russian dancer in the USA
Escaped from the USSR: how was the fate of a Russian dancer in the USA

Video: Escaped from the USSR: how was the fate of a Russian dancer in the USA

Video: Escaped from the USSR: how was the fate of a Russian dancer in the USA
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Mikhail Baryshnikov is the most famous Soviet defector
Mikhail Baryshnikov is the most famous Soviet defector

Name Mikhail Baryshnikov known all over the world. The brilliant dancer was born in Latvia, mastered the skill of ballet in Russia, and spent most of his life performing in the United States. During a tour in Canada back in 1974, Baryshnikov fled in the literal sense of the word, he understood that he would not be able to peacefully stay abroad. Further fate showed that the choice was made correctly.

Mikhail Baryshnikov on stage
Mikhail Baryshnikov on stage

Now Mikhail Baryshnikov is 68 years old, however, he has so much strength and energy that it is simply impossible to believe in it. Dancer, actor, choreographer, photographer - in what creative spheres he has not tried himself! And everywhere he achieved success without fail.

Brodsky, Baryshnikov and Rostropovich perform the Dance of the Little Swans
Brodsky, Baryshnikov and Rostropovich perform the Dance of the Little Swans

Childhood Mikhail Baryshnikov passed in a small village near Nizhny Novgorod and was not easy: at the age of 11, the boy was left half an orphan: his mother committed suicide. The father soon had a new wife, and the boy was raised by family friends. Left to himself, Misha decided to enter the ballet school, and this act determined his entire future life. It is worth noting that his mother instilled in him a love of art, she constantly took her son to theatrical performances.

Mikhail Baryshnikov - Russian-American dancer
Mikhail Baryshnikov - Russian-American dancer

Baryshnikov turned out to be a very capable student, he coped with the most difficult elements, did not spare himself and trained tirelessly. Mikhail was good-looking and did not experience a shortage of roles, however, he was not destined to shine in the main roles for a long time. The reason is trivial: he did not come out in height. The teachers directly told Mikhail that if he had grown a couple of centimeters, the dream of soloing in productions would be quite achievable. Despite the fact that the task of "growing up" was almost impossible, Baryshnikov developed a set of exercises … and really stretched out.

Mikhail Baryshnikov - ballet dancer
Mikhail Baryshnikov - ballet dancer

In fairness, it is worth noting that Baryshnikov's talent has always been appreciated at home: he performed in the troupe of the Theater of Opera and Ballet. Kirov. However, dry academic performances could not satisfy the dancer's ambitions. While in London in 1970, he first saw a modern dance performance, and 4 years later, Baryshnikov was given the chance to get into an American ballet troupe. While on tour in Canada, he drops everything and literally escapes from the troupe after the performance.

Mikhail Baryshnikov and Natalia Makarova at the American Ballet Theater, Giselle
Mikhail Baryshnikov and Natalia Makarova at the American Ballet Theater, Giselle

The American audience appreciated the skill of the Russian dancer from the very first performances. Mikhail Baryshnikov managed to realize his passion for experimental dance. He not only directed the ballet theater, but also organized his own troupe "White oak". During his creative career, Baryshnikov also dabbled in television shows, acted in films ("Sex and the City"), and organized personal exhibitions of photographs.

Portrait of Mikhail Baryshnikov
Portrait of Mikhail Baryshnikov

In addition to creative self-realization, Mikhail Baryshnikov took place as a family man. Despite the fact that he was credited with many novels with famous artists, he still managed to find the woman with whom he wanted to connect his fate. Dancer Lisa Reinhart gave Mikhail three children.

Portrait of Mikhail Baryshnikov
Portrait of Mikhail Baryshnikov

You can appreciate the skill of the great actor by watching the video, how Mikhail Baryshnikov dances to the song of Vladimir Vysotsky.

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