Erik Bruhn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Erik Bruhn
|
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
Erik Belton Evers Bruhn
3 October 1928 Copenhagen, Denmark
|
| Died | 1 April 1986 (aged 57) Toronto, Ontario, Canada
|
| Alma mater | Royal Danish Ballet School |
| Occupation | Ballet dancer, actor |
| Years active | 1947–1986 |
| Partner(s) | Rudolf Nureyev |
Erik Belton Evers Bruhn (born October 3, 1928 – died April 1, 1986) was a famous ballet dancer from Denmark. He was also a choreographer, which means he created dances. Erik Bruhn was known for his amazing skill and grace on stage. He also worked as an artistic director, actor, and author.
Contents
Early Life and Dance Training
Erik Bruhn was born in Copenhagen, Denmark. He was the fourth child in his family. When he was nine years old, Erik started training at the Royal Danish Ballet school. This is a very famous ballet company. He first performed on stage in Copenhagen in 1946. He danced the role of Adonis in a ballet called Thorvaldsen.
A Star on the Ballet Stage
Erik Bruhn officially joined the Royal Danish Ballet company in 1947 when he was 18. He quickly became a top dancer. In 1949, he was promoted to soloist. This is the highest level a dancer can reach in Danish ballet.
Later in 1949, he joined the American Ballet Theatre in New York City. He danced there often for the next nine years.
A Famous Performance: Giselle
A very important moment in Erik Bruhn's career happened on May 1, 1955. He performed as Albrecht in the ballet Giselle. He danced with Dame Alicia Markova, who was a much older and very famous ballerina. Erik had only three days to practice for this show.
His performance was amazing and everyone talked about it. A dance critic named John Martin wrote in The New York Times that it was "a date to write down in the history books." He said it was like the greatest Giselle (Markova) was passing her special role to the greatest Albrecht (Bruhn).
Dancing Around the World
Erik Bruhn left the Danish ballet in 1961. By then, he was famous all over the world. He continued to dance with many major ballet companies. These included the New York City Ballet and the National Ballet of Canada. He also danced with the Paris Opéra Ballet and London's The Royal Ballet.
He was best known for his main roles in ballets like La Sylphide, Giselle, and Swan Lake. He also performed in dramatic roles. These included Jean in Miss Julie and Don José in Carmen. Erik Bruhn danced with many talented ballerinas. Some of his famous partners were Maria Tallchief and Carla Fracci.
Awards and Later Career
In 1963, Erik Bruhn received a high honor from Denmark. He was made a Knight of the Order of the Dannebrog. In the same year, he won the Nijinsky Prize in Paris.
After he stopped dancing lead roles in 1972, Bruhn took on different kinds of parts. He played characters like Madge the Witch in La Sylphide. He also became a director. He led the Swedish Opera Ballet from 1967 to 1973. Later, he directed the National Ballet of Canada from 1983 until he passed away.
Erik Bruhn was also a wonderful teacher. He taught dancers to focus on pure dance form and to act out the story. He believed dancers should truly understand their characters. He said, "if you lose yourself completely, you cannot communicate."
Personal Connections
Erik Bruhn met Rudolf Nureyev, another very famous dancer, in 1961. Nureyev greatly admired Bruhn's dancing. Erik Bruhn and Rudolf Nureyev became very close friends. They remained close for 25 years, until Bruhn's death.
Death and Legacy
Erik Bruhn passed away in Toronto General Hospital on April 1, 1986. He was 57 years old. His death was caused by lung cancer. He is buried in an unmarked grave in Mariebjerg Cemetery in Denmark.
When Erik Bruhn retired in 1972, a critic named Clive Barnes called him "the greatest male classical dancer of his time."
Erik Bruhn also wrote books about dance. One was called Beyond Technique. He also helped write Bournonville and Ballet Technique. A book about his life, Erik Bruhn: Danseur Noble, was published in 1979.
After his death, Erik Bruhn was honored in Canada in 1987. He was the first person to receive the Pagurian Award for Excellence in the Arts. In 2014, a special plaque was placed in Toronto where he used to live.
The Erik Bruhn Prize
In his will, Erik Bruhn left money to create The Erik Bruhn Prize. This award recognizes talented young dancers. Dancers from three ballet companies that Bruhn worked with are invited to compete. These are the Royal Danish Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and the National Ballet of Canada.
Each company sends one male and one female dancer. The dancers must be between 18 and 23 years old. Erik Bruhn wanted the prize to go to dancers who show great skill, artistry, and dedication. These are the qualities he brought to dance. For the competition, dancers perform a classical duet and a modern dance piece. The first Erik Bruhn Prize was given out in 1988.
Filmography
Some of Erik Bruhn's performances were recorded. You can find some of them on DVD or online:
- He danced with Zizi Jeanmaire in the 1952 film Hans Christian Andersen.
- He performed the Black Swan pas de deux from Swan Lake on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1957.
- He appeared on "The Bell Telephone Hour" TV show several times. He danced with Maria Tallchief in Don Quixote (1961). He also danced with Carla Fracci in La Sylphide (1962).
- A full-length film of Giselle with Carla Fracci was made in 1969.
- A film about his life, Erik Bruhn: I'm the Same, Only More – A Personal Portrait of the Legendary Dancer, was made in 2002. It includes clips of his performances.
Images for kids
-
Erik Bruhn
-
Bruhn dancing with Maria Tallchief in 1961
See also
In Spanish: Erik Bruhn para niños
