Let’s refocus on the performances

I did enjoy reading Lewis Segal’s article on Rudolf Nureyev and commend him on it.

[Margot] Fonteyn and Nureyev were my idols, and life has never been the same without them.

When I hear of the current denigration of Nureyev to some kind of androgynous clown, it makes me angry; his technique, presence, sense of self and sense of drama, and perfect partnering all go toward making him one of the greatest male dancers ever.

Another thing that makes me angry is the present mode of dragging up unhappy lovers of people who are conveniently dead. The ex-lovers whine about how badly they were treated (with letters, anecdotes), and one is supposed to judge someone’s artistic merits on such tabloid evidence. What rubbish!

Once having seen dancers like Fonteyn and Nureyev, the performance stays in the mind, the figures assume gigantic importance, they become a part of one’s life. That is what counts.

Olivia Duncan

Laguna Woods