Choreographers – listed chronologically
Auguste Bournonville (1805-1879)
www.bournonville.com
Depending on your browser, you may have difficulty navigating this site, but for all its quirks, it’s a fine site with loads of material and links to further resources. There are essays on the Bournonville style, the place of Bournonville’s ballets in the international repertoire, extensive notes for his best-known ballets and, of course, a biography and others articles. A useful bibliography completes the package.
Michel Fokine (1880-1942)
Fokine Estate Archive, www.michelfokine.com
The design isn’t too flash, but the website of the Fokine Estate Archive is the logical place for dance students to begin research. There is a biography of Fokine, a list of his works (without notes) that can still be staged, and excerpts from his writings on the principles of ballet. Not a definitive website, but useful nonetheless.
Léonide Massine (1895-1979)
massine-ballet.com
Although his ballets are only rarely performed today, Leonide Massine was one of ballet’s most important and influential choreographers. A creative force of the 1920s and 1930s, he created over 100 works, including significant ballets for Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes. This site, maintained by his descendants, includes a biography of Massine, a list of his works and a short bibliography. There is also an essay on Massine by Dr. Monika Woitas.
George Balanchine (1904-1983)
The George Balanchine Foundation, www.balanchine.org
The Foundation’s site hosts the fully searchable Balanchine Catalogue, which provides a comprehensive list of Balanchine’s ballets, including his works for film and roles he performed himself. Many of the entries are accompanied by archival photographs. The site also includes the choreographer’s biography, a selected bibliography, a chronology of his career, and many other helpful resources.
The George Balanchine Trust, www.balanchine.com
While the George Balanchine Trust is primarily responsible for licensing Balanchine’s ballets, its website also includes a listing of Balanchine’s ballets with accompanying notes. There is also an abbreviated timeline of Balanchine’s career (useful for younger students) and a list of companies that currently include Balanchine works in their repertoire.
Sir Frederick Ashton (1904-1988)
The Frederick Ashton Foundation, www.frederickashton.org.uk
Established in 2013, the Foundation’s website includes a short biography of Ashton and links to a range of resources. Although still in development (March 2014), the site is set to include a full list of Ashton’s ballets as well as its own YouTube channel. Details about the Foundation’s activities are also featured.
Jerome Robbins (1918-1998)
The Jerome Robbins Foundation, www.jeromerobbins.org
Remembered by many as the choreographer of smash-hit musicals including West Side Story, The King and I and Fiddler on the Roof, Jerome Robbins also created more than 60 ballets including comic masterpieces like The Concert, the ever-popular, all-American Fancy Free and works of sublime poetry such as In the Night, Afternoon of a Faun and Dances at a Gathering. The Foundation’s site includes a biography in brief, an excellent essay on his contribution to dance, a list of his numerous honors and awards, and more.
Sir Kenneth MacMillan (1929-1992)
www.kennethmacmillan.com
Generously illustrated with photos of the man and his ballets, the MacMillan website is an outstanding resource for dancers, students and audiences. It includes the choreographer’s biography, a number of essays on aspects of his work, as well as a comprehensive index of his ballets backed up by generous notes on each ballet, video clips and review excerpts. Loads of stuff for fans and researchers, as well as these bonus downloads.
Rudolf Nureyev (1938-1993)
Rudolf Nureyev Foundation, www.nureyev.org
Nureyev isn’t just remembered as a dancer, he’s also remembered as a choreographer responsible for revisioning classics like Raymonda and La Bayadere, and creating his own productions of Romeo and Juliet and Cinderella. The Nureyev Foundation’s site provides plenty of information about Nureyev’s choreographies, as well as his biography, essays on his influence and much more.
Jiri Kylian (b. 1947)
Kylian Foundation, www.jirikylian.com
With many of his most celebrated works created in the 20th century, Jiri Kylian is that rarest of beings for Vintage Pointe: a living legend! Here one has the chance to read and hear Kylian in his own words as he describes his ballets. The site includes his biography, a calendar of forthcoming performances of his works, and a page devoted to his lifelong muse and partner, Sabine Kupferberg. A little clunky to navigate, but invaluable for fans and dance students.