Introduction
Mikhail Baryshnikov. The man, whose name is known to every person, who is inspired by dance, the person who has extremely strong will, the person who is exceptionally talented, the person who is the greater dancer of XX century, the person whose performance has influenced on the development of the world ballet. Mikhails is known all over the world to the unique, powerful and perfect technique. He has performed over 100 classical ballet works. And that is just a part of the list of Mikhail’s achievements.
Mikhail has been dancing since his childhood and nowadays, when he is 65 years old, he is not even thinking of retiring or taking a long vacation. The dancer still performs, stars in plays and movies and still have enough energy for his family.
There most favorite expression of Mikhail is “Be good”, Brodsky. Baryshnikov believes that there should be no wasting of time, that a person has to develop constantly and needs to be good to themselves and to other people. These words are exactly about Mikhail Baryshnikov (Crompton, 2013).
Family
Mikhail Baryshnikov was born on 27th of January 1948 in Riga, Latvia to Russian parents. His family was forced to move out of Russia after World War II. Mikhail’s father, Nikolai, was rather strict, never showed interest in art and they did not get along. However, Baryshnikov said that his father’s military habits had inspired him and he put them in his performances. The boy was mostly raised by his mother, Alexandra. They were very close. One of her friends was a ballerina of Bolshoi Theater. It was Mikhail’s mother who inspired his interest with theatre, art, music and sent the boy to the ballet studio.
Around the time when Mikhail was being trained by famous choreographer Alexander Pushkin at the Vaganova Choreographic Institute his mother killed herself (The Biography Channel, 2013) The reasons are still unknown. A little later his father got married again but Mikhail never felt like a member of this new family and after he moved to Leningrad his ties with his father almost disappeared. Later Nikholai died in Russia.
Mikhail’s biography
“Perfection is a theory. You cannot be a perfect human being, perfect artist. You cannot be a perfect husband, you cannot be a perfect father probably and probably I am not. But go through your daily routine with hope you will be a little better in all respects, and do something meaningful”
Mikhail Baryshnikov
When Mikhail had joined the Kirov Ballet of Leningrad he became a soloist as his skills and techniques were outstanding. His debut on the stage has occurred during his performance of Vestris (1969) which is considered to be one of his most recognizing and famous pieces.
Even while dancing in Russia the famous New York Times critic Clive Barnes said, that Mikhail Baryshnikov was the most perfect dancer he had ever seen (Kennedy Center, n.d.). Mikhail has become one of the greatest ballet dancers in the Soviet Union.
On the 29th of June Mikhail defected and became a member of the National Ballet of Canada.
After this defection Mikhail said that this decision was not a political choice but an artistic one. He claimed that he just wanted to have the freedom to dance with one of the most recognizable dancers at that time. (CBC, 2013).
When Baryshnikov moved to the USA his partner was Gelsey Kirkland. Mikhail met het in Russia and asked her to be his partner. At first she did not want to but when she saw him dancing – his grace, leaps, movement – she agreed right away. Kirkland had left NYCB in order to dance with Mikhail Baryshnikov. “He was the greatest male dancer on the earth”, - that is what she said. Their most famous work was Tchaikovsky’s ballet “The Nutcracker” which had been televised annually for many years (IMDb, n.d.).
In 1980 Mikhail returned to American Ballet Theatre (in 1978 he left ABT for NYCB) and he became not only the principal dancer but also an artistic director. This position was very distinguished and he worked there for almost 10 years .In 1990 he established the White Oak Project. This was a dance company that was filled with Mikhail’s passion for dance and the Project comprised the unique transformation of Russian ballet into American modern dance (The Kennedy Center, n.d).
The project existed till 2002 and in 2003 Mikhail won the Prix Benois de la Danse and in 2005 he founded the Baryshnikov Arts Center in NY.
In 1981 his first daughter from actress Jessica Lange was born. Her name is Alexandra. When Jessica and Mikhail met he knew only a little English so they communicated in French.
Mikhail Baryshnikov is in a relationship with a woman who is a former American Ballet Theatre. Her name is Lisa Rinehart and they have three children: Peter (1989), Anna (1992) and Sophia (1994).
Interesting facts
- Mikhail Baryshnikov feels no nostalgia for Russia. Even though he has lived in Russia for 10 years he claims that he doesn’t feel Russian. However, dancer agrees that he likes Russian culture, Russian literature and even speaks Russian language. Mikhail says that his negative attitude is a result of his childhood memory – his poor family, the Soviet life, how he was forced to pretend that everything was fine - and he still runs away from the people who are in charge of it, even though it is a free country now. He feels that Russia is responsible for his parent’s misery. But he comes to Latvia from time to time as his mother is buried there. He even took his two older children with him to visit her grave.
- Russian poet Brodsky dedicated several poems to Mikhail Baryshnikov.
- Brodsky along with Baryshnikov built a Russian restaurant in NYC. It is called “Russian Samovar”. The place in not only a restaurant but also a museum. Frank Sinatra used to live in the building where the restaurant is situated. The place is very popular among celebrities.
- Mikhail was nominated for Oscar (Best Actor in a Supporting Role) for his role in the movie The Turning Point but he did not get it.
- In the movie The Turning Point there is a scene where Baryshnikov performs Vladimir Vysotsky’s song. Vysotsky and Barshnikov were close friends.
- Starred in last season of Sex and the City.
- Mikhail is against the anti-gay laws in Russia. He said: "My life has been immensely enriched by gay mentors, colleagues, and friends". Baryshnikov believes that in our modern world it is unacceptable to discriminate people and he claims that all humans should have equal rights (Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty, 2013).
Mikhail Baryshnikov’s career. Dance
“I do not try to dance better than anyone else. I only try to dance better than myself.”
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Mikhail started dancing when he was nine years old. His talent was obvious to everyone who understood something in ballet. He was not very high, in fact, much shorter that most of the dancers but he did not let this to stand on the way to his dream.
He has danced in many famous ballets such as the Kirov Ballet, the National Ballet of Canada, the American Ballet Theatre, New York City Ballet and other.
The career started with the Kirov Ballet of Leningrad. When Mikhail was still a member of the ballet he was dancing in Toronto, Canada as a member of a troupe of Bolshoi Theatre. While in Canada, Baryshnikov decided to leave Russian ballets and try out his skills in getting into Royal Winnipeg Ballet. He succeeded in his attempt and soon he was performing the leading parts. His urge towards leaving USSR can be explained by the fact that the development of the dance there was still hewing the 19th century while new modern techniques were added to choreography of the West. He participated in at least 13 choreographies within the next two years since he moved out of USSR.
In 1978 he stopped his dancing career for 18 months. During this time he had another job – he worked as a principal in NYCB. After this period without dancing he came back to performing again and he appeared on stage as an Apollo, Rubies etc. However in 1980 he became an artistic director of ABT.
In 1999 he was elected a Fellow of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences (American Academy of Arts and Sciences, n.d.).
During the summer of 2006 he danced in the tour of Hell’s kitchen Dance.
In August 2007 Mykhail performed in Stockholm with Ana Laguna.
In Israel Baryshnikov has danced three times so far – in 1996, 2010, 2011.
Mikhail Baryshnikov’s career. Films, books, stage
Baryshnikov’s debut on television was in 1976. He participated in the program In Performance Live from Wolf Trap.
Tchaikovsky’s ballet “The Nutcracker” has been televised annually for many years since 1977.In this performance Mykhail’s partner was famous ballerina Gelsey Kirkland. Now the performance is released in DVD. The Baryshnikov’s version of “The Nutcracker” has been nominated for an Emmy Award. It is worth mentioning that among all the versions of “The Nutcracker” only two versions were nominated for this award. The other version was the performance by Mark Morris.
Mikhail danced in two television specials – for ABC and CBS.
In 1977 he had stared in the movie The Turning Point for which he was nominated for an Oscar.
He had roles in such movies as White Nights (1985), Dancers (1987), Company Business (1991) and in the last episode of the Sex and the City (2003-2004).
In 2012 Baryshnikov acted in a dramatic play directed by Dmitry Krymov In Paris. In Paris is a stage adaptation of a short story by the Nobel Prize-winning writer Ivan Bunin (The New York Times, 2012).
In 2013 Mikhail returned to the stage staring in Man in Case, Anton Chekhov. Baryshnikov was very excited about the play as he like the stories written by Chekhov. He said that he grew up reading them and he was thrilled to explore the character on the stage. (Broadway World, 2013).
In the same year, 2013, Mikhail acted on the stage again – for the play The Old Woman by theatre director Robert Wilson (Manchester International Festival, 2013).
Mikhael has also written several books as a co-author: Ballet 101: A Complete Guide to Learning and Loving the Ballet , Because . Also, there are some books written by Baryshnikov himself: Baryshnikov: In Black and White , Baryshnikov at Work , The Swan Prince and other (Goodreads, n.d.).
In his books Baryshnikov talks not only about dancing but also about his personal experience. He mentions his teachers, their input in his further success and their words to him. Mikhail tells the reader that technique is not the only thing dancer must be proficient it – the dancer must feel what he dances about. It is said that the true art of dancing is in the ability of telling a story without words, just using body and emotions. Some books include photos of Baryshnikov dancing – they are eye-catching, when you look at them you feel the great author’s passion toward the dance. When you look at those picture and read his books you will never doubt his undeniable talent and you will know for sure that he truly believes in the stories that he is dancing.
Conclusion
Mikhail Baryshnikov – is one of the greatest dancers in the world. Talent, hard work and luck – these are the ingredients of his magnificent success. In order to dance he does not need the music to be playing – he is devoted enough to dance even to silence and heartbeat. Baryshnikov is much more than a choreographer, teacher or a director. Mikhail manages to combine such characteristics as intelligence and diligence, kindness and fairness. He is extremely famous and yet he is materially-minded. Mikhail is a real role model not only for the dancers but also for all the people. His life is a great example of how it should go, a direction that no one should stop before achieving a goal and an inspiration to become a better person.
References
Baryshnikov Speaks Out For Gay Rights (2013, October, 17). Radio Free Europe Radio Liberty. Retrieved on the 31st of October 2013 from http://www.rferl.org/content/baryshnikov-lgbt- russia/25139467.html
Biography for Mikhail Baryshnikov (n.d.). IMDb. Retrieved on the 31st of October, 2013 from http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000864/bio
Books by Mikhail Baryshnikov (n.d.) Goodreads Inc. Retrieved on the 31st of October, 2013 from http://www.goodreads.com/author/list/138351.Mikhail_Baryshnikov
Book of Members, 1780-2010: Chapter B (n.d.). American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Retrieved on the 31st of October, 2013 from http://www.amacad.org/publications/BookofMembers/ChapterB.pdf
Crompton, S. (2013) Mikhail Baryshnikov: ‘Everything in Russia is a damn soap opera’ The Telegraph. Retrieved on the 31st of October, 2013from: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/theatre/dance/10133374/Mikhail-Baryshnikov-Everything-in-Russia-is-a-damn-soap-opera.html
Isherwood C. (August, 3, 2012) “Two Solitary Souls, Adrift Far From Home ‘In Paris’ Stars Mikhail Baryshnikov”. The New York Times. Retrieved on 31st of October, 2013 from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/04/theater/reviews/in-paris-stars-mikhail-baryshnikov.html?_r=2&
Jansch L. (2013) “The Old Woman” Manchester International Festival. Retrieved on the 31st of October, 2013 from http://www.mif.co.uk/event/the-old-woman
Mikhail Baryshnikov defects from the Soviet Union (2013). CBC Digital Archives. Retrieved on the 31st of October, 2013 from http://www.cbc.ca/archives/categories/arts-entertainment/dance/mikhail-baryshnikov-defects-from-the-soviet-union.html
Mikhail Baryshnikov. (2013). The Biography Channel. Retrieved on 31st of October, 2013 from http://www.biography.com/people/mikhail-baryshnikov-9201142.
Mikhail Baryshnikov (n.d.) The Kennedy Center. Retrieved on the 31st of October, 2013 from http://www.kennedy-center.org/explorer/artists/?entity_id=3693&source_type=A/
Mikhail Baryshnikov to Bring MAN IN A CASE to Berkeley Rep, 1/25-2/16/2014. (2013) BroadwayWorld. October 02, 2013. Retrieved on the 31st of October, 2013 from http://www.broadwayworld.com/san-francisco/article/Mikhail-Baryshnikov-to-Bring-MAN-IN-A-CASE-to-Berkeley-Rep-125-2162014-20131002
