DANCE

Dupond to Head Paris Ballet: Rudolf Nureyev’s stormy six-year stint at the Paris Opera Ballet ended Thursday when rising French star Patrick Dupond, 30, was named to succeed him as the troupe’s new dance director. But a bitter dispute over the copyright and control of the ballets that Soviet-born Nureyev choreographed for the opera house is only just beginning, Pierre Berge, chairman of the Paris Opera, said. Nureyev was eased out as head of the Paris ballet last year, but he stayed on as chief choreographer while Berge searched for a successor. French Culture Minister Jack Lang said that Dupond’s three-year contract stipulated at least 20 dance performances each season.