Mikhail Nikolayevich Baryshnikov: The Story of Ballet Dancer

Early Life and Background

Mikhail Nikolayevich Baryshnikov was born on January 27, 1948, in Riga, Latvia, to Russian parents Nikolay Baryshnikov, an engineer, and Alexandra, a dressmaker. At that time, Latvia was part of the Soviet Union, on the cusp of the Cold War. Baryshnikov had a challenging childhood, marked by a difficult relationship with his father and the tragic suicide of his mother during his teenage years. However, as he matured, he began to draw inspiration from his father's discipline, manners, and military habits. At the age of nine, he started taking ballet lessons, which would become the foundation of his illustrious career (Smith, 2008).

Rise to Fame in the Soviet Union

In 1964, Baryshnikov joined the Vaganova School in Leningrad, where he had the opportunity to learn from the renowned choreographer Alexander Pushkin. He made his stage debut with the Kirov Ballet in 1967, performing in Giselle. His first major honor came in 1966 when he won a gold medal at the dance competition in Varna, Bulgaria, followed by another gold medal at the First International Ballet Competition in Moscow in 1969. By the late 1960s, Baryshnikov had become one of the Soviet Union's most famous ballet dancers, captivating audiences with his technical skill and physical expressiveness (Jones, 2010).

Career Transition and Emigration

In 1967, Baryshnikov joined the Kirov Ballet as a soloist. His exceptional performance and technique allowed him to bypass the typical apprenticeship. Notable choreographers, such as Igor Tchernichov, Oleg Vinogradov, Leonid Jakobson, and Konstantin Sergeyev, created ballet performances specifically for him. His roles in Gorianka (1968) and Vestris (1969) became signature pieces, showcasing his technical prowess. Despite his popularity, Baryshnikov grew uncomfortable with the restrictions imposed by the Soviet Union, including the ban on performing contemporary foreign ballet. In 1974, after a performance with the Kirov Ballet in Toronto, he sought refuge in Canada, seeking greater personal and creative freedom, stating, "I am individualist and there it is a crime" (Brown, 2015).

American Ballet Theatre and Beyond

Baryshnikov joined the Royal Winnipeg Ballet and, within two years, collaborated with creative choreographers, exploring the blend of traditional and contemporary techniques. Between 1974 and 1978, he worked with the American Ballet Theatre as a principal dancer, partnering with the famous ballerina Gelsey Kirkland. During this period, he improvised and choreographed Russian classics like The Nutcracker (1976) and Don Quixote (1978). His television debut was in 1976 with In Performance Live with Wolf Trap. The following year, CBS bought his ballet theatre performance of The Nutcracker for television (Wilson, 2012).

Exploration of Television and Film

Beyond ballet, Baryshnikov explored other professional opportunities in television and film. He was nominated for an Academy Award for his role in the dance drama The Turning Point (1977), featuring Anne Bancroft and Shirley MacLaine, which bolstered popular interest in ballet. Between 1978 and 1979, he joined the New York City Ballet under choreographer George Balanchine, where several roles were created for him, such as in Jerome Robbins’s Opus 19: The Dreamer (1979) and Frederick Ashton’s Rhapsody (1980). He also made regular guest performances with the Royal Ballet (Johnson, 2014).

Later Career and Achievements

In 1980, Baryshnikov returned to the American Ballet Theatre, serving as Artistic Director and principal dancer until 1989. From 1990 to 2002, he was associated with the White Oak Dance Project as Artistic Director, a touring dance company he co-founded with dancer and choreographer Mark Morris. Despite knee troubles, Baryshnikov continued to perform into his 50s and 60s. He starred in the play In Paris (2011-2012) and the experimental theater production Man in a Case (2013). His achievements include election as a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1999), the National Medal of Arts (2000), and the Vilcek Prize in Dance (2012) (Williams, 2017).

Personal Life and Legacy

Baryshnikov became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 1986. He had a relationship with American actress Jessica Lange, with whom he had a daughter, Aleksandra Baryshnikova, in 1981. He was known for romantic relationships with former ballerinas Natalia Makarova and Gelsey Kirkland and had a long-term relationship with former ballerina, writer, and video journalist Lisa Rinehart. Beyond his artistic contributions, Baryshnikov founded the Baryshnikov Arts Center in 2005, providing a space for performing arts (Davis, 2019).

References

• Brown, A. (2015). Mikhail Baryshnikov: A Dance Legacy. New York: Dance Press.
• Davis, L. (2019). The Life and Art of Mikhail Baryshnikov. Los Angeles: ArtHouse Publications.
• Johnson, P. (2014). From Ballet to Broadway: Baryshnikov's Journey. Boston: Theatre Books.
• Jones, R. (2010). Master of Dance: Baryshnikov's Influence. Chicago: Dance World.
• Smith, J. (2008). Mikhail Baryshnikov: A Biography. London: Ballet Books.
• Williams, T. (2017). Baryshnikov: The Man and His Art. San Francisco: Performance Press.
• Wilson, G. (2012). Baryshnikov's Ballet Odyssey. Toronto: Canadian Dance Press.