Childhood in Ufa (Bachkiria)
Began with folk dances at school

Studied at Vaganova school in Leningrad with his oustanding teatcher Alexander Pushkin

Soon became soloist with the Kirov Ballet (Le Corsaire, Don Quixote, Swan Lake, The Sleeping Beauty)

While on tour in Paris, France, with the Kirov, he fled from Soviet security at the Bourget airport and defected. His first performances after his defection were with the Ballet of Marquis de Cuevas.

FIRST APPEARANCES IN LONDON WITH THE ROYAL BALLET
(Giselle with Margot Fonteyn)

Compelling performer of choreographers such as : Frederick Ashton, Rudi van Dantzig, Roland Petit, Maurice Bejart, George Balanchine, Glen Tetley, Martha Graham and Murray Louis.

He restages Marius Petipa's famous ballets and travels widely appearing as Guest Artist with many ballet companies.

Sets up "Nureyev and Friends"

Returns to stage Kirov (Leningrad) after a 28 year exile
Quits his Dance Director activities but remains the main choreographer of the Paris Opera.

Chevalier de la Légion d'Honneur (1988)
Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres (1992)

Musical "The King and I" in the USA.
He performs "Song of a wayfairer" for the last time at the Paris Opera
Devoted himself to orchestral conducting.
Despite his illness, he remounts "La Bayadere" at the Paris Opera Garnier and appears on stage for the last time at the end of the "premiere" on October 8th, 1992.