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"Sometimes it is truly difficult to realize the scope of Rudolf Nureyev’s “celebrity.” His much-publicized defection made worldwide headlines and the press couldn’t get enough of him. He became the most photographed dancer in history, graced international magazine covers, newspapers, society pages, and television - all without really trying. Rudolf never actively sought publicity, but nevertheless the journalists flocked to him. The interviews all usually included the same question, “When will you stop dancing?” He had been asked that as early as the 1960s. Nureyev became a master at fielding questions, once teasing a reporter, “Don’t you love these journalist intrigues?” However, if the subject was dance, he could speak eloquently – often in English, Italian or French."
~ MEMORIES OF RUDOLF NUREYEV ~
"Over the years Rudolf loved to tease us, especially when he saw the same fans in different cities where he performed. When he saw a contingent of fans that were in Paris, he grinned and jokingly said, “Please get out of my way. You have been in my way in New York, Washington, London, Amsterdam and you are STILL in my way!” While continuing to his car, he recited a litany of cities where his fans traveled to see him, but then finally turned around and playfully waved to us all as he drove off."
~ MEMORIES OF RUDOLF NUREYEV ~
"After a wintery night’s Nureyev Festival performance in Paris, Rudolf came out of the Palais des Sports to find a line of fans waiting for him in the falling snow. He made his way down the “receiving line” shaking hands and saying “Hi” to each person. When he got to me, he did a double take since most of the fans were French or British and he knew I came a long way to see him. He greeted me with an especially warm smile and asked, “How are you?”
~ MEMORIES OF RUDOLF NUREYEV ~
"Rudolf said, “Good, so call me in two hours.” With that, he joined his friends in the car and disappeared. At 2 a.m., one of the fans dutifully phoned Rudolf and came back exclaiming, “He said yes. Come on!” She related how Rudolf answered the phone and asked, “How many of you are there?” “Eleven,” she replied. She heard him shout, “There’s eleven of them coming. We need more plates!”
~ MEMORIES OF RUDOLF NUREYEV ~
"One of the best things about watching Rudolf Nureyev throughout the years was observing him in rehearsals. They were a great opportunity to learn, and see Nureyev the teacher, working with dancers, coaching them, cajoling them, and helping them discover untapped abilities. We watched Nureyev the producer and director, insisting on and getting high production standards. We witnessed Nureyev the conductor, sometimes playing the piano to set the tempi for the orchestra or on rare occasions conducting from the orchestra pit. We were awed by his encyclopedic knowledge. His outrageous sense of humor came through at every opportunity.
We sensed how completely at home he was in the theatre.”
~ MEMORIES OF RUDOLF NUREYEV ~
Nancy Sifton
Nancy Sifton’s eye witness account of the legendary dancer Rudolf Nureyev’s 30-year career provides a “must read”
for performing arts and biography buffs.
An inside look at the incredible life of legendary dancer Rudolf Nureyev
from an eye-witness account by dance enthusiast and writer Nancy Sifton.
AVAILABLE IN PAPERBACK AND KINDLE!
© 2021 NANCY SIFTON