Tudor, Antony, 1909-1987

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Antony Tudor, British dancer, choreographer, and teacher, was born William Cook in London, April 4, 1909. His training began in 1928 with Marie Rambert and continued with Pearl Argyle, Harold Turner, and Margaret Craske. His career included: dancer and choreographer for Ballet Club (later Ballet Rambert) from 1930-1937; founder and choreographer of London Ballet, 1937-1940; resident choreographer of Ballet Theatre (later American Ballet Theatre), New York, 1939-1950; artistic director, Royal Swedish Ballet, 1952-1964; associate director, American Ballet Theatre, from 1974; and, as teacher for Metropolitan Opera Ballet School and Juilliard School. His works include Jardin aux Lilas (Ballet Rambert, 1936), Dark Elegies (Ballet Rambert, 1937), The Judgement of Paris (Westminster Theatre, London, 1938), Gala Performance (London Ballet, 1938), Pillar of Fire (Ballet Theatre, 1942) Dim Lustre (Ballet Theatre, 1943), Undertow (Ballet Theatre, 1945), Lady of the Camellias (New York City Ballet, 1951), Offenbach in the Underworld (Philadelphia Ballet Company, 1954), Hail and Farewell (Metropolitan Opera Ballet, 1959), Echoing of Trumpets (Royal Swedish Ballet, 1963), Shadowplay (Royal Ballet, London, 1967), and The Leaves are Fading (American Ballet Theatre, 1975). Tudor is the recipient of the Carina Ari Gold Medal, 1973, Dance Magazine Award, 1974, Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Award, Royal Academy of Dancing, 1985, Handel Medaillion of the City of New York, 1986, Capezio Dance Award, 1987, Kennedy Center Honors List, and honorary doctorate, Oxford University. He died in New York, April 19, 1987.

From the guide to the Antony Tudor papers, 1908-1987, (The New York Public Library. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.)

Hugh Laing was born on June 6, 1911 in Barbados, British West Indies as Hugh Morris Alleyne Skinner. Laing moved to London in 1931, and enrolled in Marie Rambert's Ballet Club (later Ballet Rambert) in 1933. In 1938, Laing became a member of a short-lived troupe in the London Ballet, where he danced in his fellow dancer and choreographer Antony Tudor's Gala Performance and Judgment of Paris. The following year, upon the suggestion of fellow performer and director Agnes DeMille, Laing accompanied Tudor to New York City to dance for the first season of the Ballet Theater (later named The American Ballet Theatre), where they grew to be revered as two of the company's finest artists. Together with his wife Diana Adams, dance partner Nora Kaye, and Tudor, Laing left the Ballet Theater for a position at the New York City Ballet in 1951. He starred in the 1954 MGM film adaptation of Brigadoon and spent many years filling the leading roles in Tudor's ballets, including Pillar of Fire, Romeo and Juliet, and Jardin aux Lilas. He spent most of his later years as a professional photographer and set/costume designer for several of Tudor's final productions.

Antony Tudor was born as William Cook in London on April 4, 1909. He began formal training with Marie Rambert, the owner and head choreographer of the Ballet Club (now known as The Rambert Dance Company) in 1928, later meeting Hugh Laing in 1933. Upon moving to New York City in 1939 to dance in and help publicize the newly formed Ballet Theater, Tudor grew to be regarded as both a first-class choreographer and performer. After several years at the American Ballet Theatre, Tudor, along with dancers Nora Keyes, Laing, and Laing's wife Diana Adams, began performing for the New York City Ballet. Tudor was founder and choreographer of the London Ballet, 1937-1940, Artistic Director of the Royal Swedish Ballet, 1952-1964, and Associate Director of the American Ballet Theatre. He was a principal force in the Jacob's Pillow Dance Festivals from the 1940s to 1953, where he eventually worked with the then-recently founded National Ballet of Canada. He served as teacher for the Metropolitan Opera Ballet School and Juilliard School, and performed and directed several paramount ballets at the Ballet Theatre in New York from 1939-1950. Among his productions (many of which Laing played the leading role), several stand out as representative of his talent: Jardin aux Lilas (Ballet Rambert, 1936), Gala Performance (London Ballet, 1938), Pillar of Fire (Ballet Theatre, 1942) Dim Lustre (Ballet Theatre, 1943), and The Leaves are Fading (American Ballet Theatre, 1975).

Nora Kaye was born Nora Koreff in Brooklyn, NY in 1920. She was trained at the Metropolitan Opera Ballet and, at age 9, was a regular performer in their children's productions. After several years in the Radio City Music Hall corps de ballet, she joined the Ballet Theatre in 1939. The leading role in Antony Tudor's 1946 production of Pillar of Fire gained her the respect she deserved as a true prima ballerina. This role, along with others in Tudor's Gala Performance, Romeo and Juliet, and Jardin Aux Lilas, as well as in DeMille's Fall River Legend, earned her the title "Duse of the Dance." After a short marriage to Isaac Stern, Kaye wed Herbert Ross, film director and former choreographer for the American Ballet Theatre, and assisted in writing and producing many of his later films and Broadway musicals.

From the guide to the Hugh Laing and Antony Tudor papers, 1911-1988, (The New York Public Library. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Nagy, Ivan, 1943-. Interview with Ivan Nagy. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Schuman, William, 1910-1992,. Interview with William Schuman. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Parmenia Migel papers, 1945-1990. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Topaz, Muriel. Muriel Topaz collection of materials on Antony Tudor, 1940-1999. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Rambert, Marie, Dame, 1888-1982,. Interview with Dame Marie Rambert. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Hugh Laing and Antony Tudor papers, 1911-1988 The New York Public Library. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.
creatorOf Fokine, Michel, 1880-1942. Mazurka from Les sylphides, op. 33, no. 2 / choreography by M. Fokine ; staged by Antony Tudor ; music composed by Frédéric Chopin ; notated by Linda Rankin April 28, 1965. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn White, Franklin, 1924-. Interview with Franklin White. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Hayden, Melissa,. Interview with Melissa Hayden. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Tudor, Antony, 1908-1987. Correspondence and contracts. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Walter Terry papers, 1913-1982 The New York Public Library. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.
referencedIn Stravinsky-Diaghilev Foundation research files, 1920-1989. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Chase, Lucia, 1897-1986,. Interview with Lucia Chase. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Kaye, Nora, 1920-1987. Scrapbooks: Clippings, Japan. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Fokine, Michel, 1880-1942. Waltz girl's solo (coda) from Les sylphides / choreographer, Michael Fokine ; composer, Frédéric Chopin, op. 70, no. 1 ; taught by Antony Tudor ; notated by Diane Mohrmann Juilliard - May 1965. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Tudor, Antony, 1908-1987. Musical comedies. Day before spring. [Programs] New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Nault, Fernand,. Interview with Fernand Nault. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Horvath, Ian,. Interview with Ian Horvath. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Lubovitch, Lar, 1943-. Interview with Lar Lubovitch. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Laing, Hugh. Papers, New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Tudor, Antony, 1909-1987,. Interview with Antony Tudor. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Barzel, Ann. American Ballet Theatre, 1958-1977. Volume #2 [videorecording]. Newberry Library
referencedIn Wilson, Sallie,. Interview with Sallie Wilson. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Antony Tudor Ballet Trust [clippings]. New York Public Library System, NYPL
creatorOf Petipa, Marius, 1818-1910. Aurora's variation from act I of the ballet Sleeping beauty / [choreography: Marius Petipa ; music Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky ; staged by Antony Tudor ; notator: Alice Condodina]. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Fokine, Michel, 1880-1942. "Prelude" Les sylphides / choreography by Fokine ; taught by Antony Tudor ; music composed by Chopin - opus 28 #7 ; notated by Lee Wagner Juilliard, April 1965. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Westergard, Lance,. Interview with Lance Westergard. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Saddler, Donald,. Interview with Donald Saddler. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Lloyd, Maude, 1908-. Interview with Maude Lloyd. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Antony Tudor papers, 1908-1987 The New York Public Library. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.
referencedIn Gruen, John,. Interview with Maude Lloyd and Nigel Gosling. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Tudor, Antony, 1909-1987,. Interview with Antony Tudor. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Fokine, Michel, 1880-1942. Carnaval : Valse allemande / music, Schumann, op. 9, Carnaval, Valse allenmande [sic] ; choreography, Danton, Tudor, Lazowski after Fokine ; notation, Raymond Cook under the supervision of Muriel Topaz. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Tudor, Antony, 1908-1987. Correspondence with Agnes de Mille, 1973-1983. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Sutherland, Paul,. Interview with Paul Sutherland. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Dance Notation Bureau Collection, 1930- The Ohio State University. Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Insitute.
creatorOf Ailey, Alvin,. Bat-Dor Dance Company collection, [ca.1977-ongoing]. Museum of Performance & Design
creatorOf Tudor, Antony, 1909-1987. Soirées musicales : suit of movements from Rossini / choreography by Antony Tudor ; notated by Ann Hutchinson to the Ballet Rambert, London spring 1962. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Sergeev, Nikolaĭ Grigor'evich, 1876-1951. Peasant pas de deux from Giselle / composer, Fred. Burgmuller ; originally staged by Nicholas Sergeyev ; taught by Henry Danton and Antony Tudor ; notated by Lawrence Berger. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Arrangements by others of Kurt Weill's music in the collections of the Weill-Lenya Research Center, 1928-[ongoing]. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison
referencedIn Franca, Celia, 1921-2007,. Interview with Celia Franca. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Petipa, Marius, 1818-1910. Pas de deux from [act III of] Sleeping beauty / as taught by Anthony Tudor ; notated by Chiecko Kikuchi as a project at Juiiliard, May 2960 ; [choreography: Marius Petipa ; music: Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky]. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn [Tudor/Laing collection of press clippings, programs and magazine features]. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Tudor, Antony, 1908-1987,. Interview with Antony Tudor. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Thomas, William,. Scrapbooks: Clippings and photographs. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Petipa, Marius, 1818-1910. The Rose adagio from the Sleeping beauty ballet / version as taught by Antony Tudor and Henry Danton ; [original choreography by Petipa] ; music by Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky ; notated by Myron Howard. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Fokine, Michel, 1880-1942. Waltz (solo) from Les sylphides / choreographer, Michael Fokine ; composer, Frédéric Chopin, op. 70, no. 1 ; taught by Antony Tudor ; notated by Diane Mohrmann Juilliard-May 1965. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Markova, Alicia, 1910-. Miscellaneous manuscripts. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Tippet, Clark,. Interview with Clark Tippet. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Makarova, Natalia, 1940-. Interview with Natalia Makarova. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Fokine, Michel, 1880-1942. Le Carnaval : "Chopin" (played twice through) / Music: Robert Schumann. ; Choreography: Michel Fokine. ; Staged by Henry Danton, Yurek Lazowsky, and Antony Tudor at Juilliard, Winter 1962. ; Notated by Carl Wolz. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Notated theatrical dances - Labanotation collection, 1939-1985. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
creatorOf Fokine, Michel, 1880-1942. Carnaval : Reconnaissance / music, Schumann, op. 9, Carnaval, Reconnaissance ; choreography, Danton, Tudor, Lazowski after Fokine, Juilliard 1962 ; notation, Raymond Cook under the supervision of Muriel Topaz. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Fallis, Barbara,. Interview with Barbara Fallis. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Fehl, Fred. Antony Tudor and Hugh Laing photographs 1936-1986. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Juilliard School. Dance Division. Faculty records, 1949-1991. The Juilliard School, Lila Acheson Wallace Library
referencedIn George Balanchine archive, 1924-1989 (inclusive), 1961-1983 (bulk). Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
creatorOf Tudor, Antony, 1908-1987. Papers, New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Tudor, Antony, 1908-1987. Correspondence, 1945-1980. 6 items. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Laing, Hugh. Hugh Laing and Antony Tudor papers, 1911-1988. New York Public Library System, NYPL
referencedIn Wilson, Sallie,. Interview with Sallie Wilson. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Maule, Michael,. Interview with Michael Maule. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Sylvester & Harris correspondence concerning publication of Romola Nijinsky's, Nijinsky, 1923-1983 (inclusive), 1931-1951 (bulk). Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Van Praagh, Peggy, 1910-1990. Interview with Dame Peggy Van Praagh. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Balanchine, George. Dance Notation Bureau Scores series, [192-?]- Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Hugh Laing papers, circa 1943-1988 The New York Public Library. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.
referencedIn Arpino, Gerald,. Interview with Gerald Arpino. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Jo Mielziner papers, 1903-1976 The New York Public Library. Billy Rose Theatre Division.
creatorOf Tudor, Antony, 1908-1987. Scrapbooks: Clippings and photographs, New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Englund, Richard, 1931-1991,. Interview with Richard Englund. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Osato, Sono, 1919-. Interview with Sono Osato. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn American Ballet Theatre records, 1936-ca. 1967 The New York Public Library. Jerome Robbins Dance Division.
referencedIn Stravinsky-Diaghilev Foundation research files, 1920-1989. Harvard Theater Collection, Houghton Library, Harvard College Library, Harvard University
referencedIn Morris, June,. Interview with June Morris. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Fokine, Michel, 1880-1942. Carnaval : Chiarina / music, Schumann, op. 9, Carnaval, Chiarina ; choreography: Lazowsky and Tudor after Fokine, Juilliard 1962 ; notation, Raymond Cook under the supervision of Muriel Topaz. Ohio State University Libraries
creatorOf Tudor, Antony, 1908-1987. Miscellaneous manuscripts. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Fokine, Michel, 1880-1942. Le Carnaval : "Eusebius" / taught by Antony Tudor ; notated by Carl Wolz. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn Walczak, Barbara,. Interview with Barbara Walczak. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Fokine, Michel, 1880-1942. Dance - Les sylphides - the nocturne / choreographer - Michel Fokine ; composer - Frederic Chopin, music - A-flat major nocturne, op. 32, no. 2 ; notated by Sue Knapp Juilliard, May 1965 ; taught by Antony Tudor. Ohio State University Libraries
referencedIn De Mille, Agnes,. Interview with Agnes de Mille. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Biographical files, [ca. 1920]-1987. New York State Historical Documents Inventory
referencedIn Hightower, Rosella,. Interview with Rosella Hightower. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Dello Joio, Norman, 1913-2008,. Interview with Norman Dello Joio. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
creatorOf Tudor, Antony, 1908-1987,. Interview with Antony Tudor. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
referencedIn Gregory, Cynthia,. Interview with Cynthia Gregory. New York Public Libraries for the Performing Arts, Dance Collection
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Adams, Diana, 1926-1993 person
associatedWith American Ballet Theatre. corporateBody
associatedWith Arpino, Gerald, person
associatedWith Balanchine, George. person
associatedWith Ballet Rambert. corporateBody
associatedWith Ballet Theatre (New York, N.Y.) corporateBody
associatedWith Chase, Lucia, 1897-1986, person
associatedWith Dance Notation Bureau (New York, N.Y.). corporateBody
associatedWith Dello Joio, Norman, 1913-2008, person
associatedWith De Mille, Agnes, person
associatedWith Dowell, Anthony. person
associatedWith Englund, Richard, 1931-1991, person
associatedWith Fallis, Barbara, person
associatedWith Franca, Celia, 1921-2007, person
associatedWith Gregory, Cynthia, person
associatedWith Gruen, John, person
associatedWith Hayden, Melissa, person
associatedWith Hightower, Rosella, person
associatedWith Horvath, Ian, person
associatedWith Hunt, Marilyn, 1937- person
associatedWith Isabel Mirrow person
associatedWith Juilliard School. corporateBody
associatedWith Juilliard School. Dance Division. corporateBody
associatedWith Kaye, Nora, 1920-1987. person
associatedWith Laing, Hugh person
associatedWith Laing, Hugh. person
associatedWith Lloyd, Maude, 1908- person
associatedWith Lubovitch, Lar, 1943- person
associatedWith Makarova, Natalia, 1940- person
associatedWith Marie Rambert's person
associatedWith Markova, Alicia, 1910- person
associatedWith Maule, Michael, person
associatedWith Metropolitan Opera (New York, N.Y.). Ballet corporateBody
associatedWith Mielziner, Jo, 1901-1976 person
correspondedWith Migel, Parmenia. person
associatedWith Morris, June, person
associatedWith Nagy, Ivan, 1943- person
associatedWith Nault, Fernand, person
associatedWith Nureyev, Rudolf, 1938-1993. person
associatedWith Osato, Sono, 1919- person
associatedWith Rambert, Marie, Dame, 1888-1982, person
associatedWith Saddler, Donald, person
associatedWith Sarah Woodcock person
associatedWith Schuman, William, 1910-1992, person
associatedWith Stravinsky-Diaghilev Foundation. corporateBody
associatedWith Sutherland, Paul, person
correspondedWith Sylvester & Harris (Firm). corporateBody
associatedWith Terry, Walter person
associatedWith Thomas, William, person
associatedWith Tippet, Clark, person
associatedWith Topaz, Muriel. person
associatedWith Van Praagh, Peggy, 1910-1990. person
associatedWith Van Vechten, Carl, 1880-1964 person
associatedWith Walczak, Barbara, person
associatedWith Westergard, Lance, person
associatedWith White, Franklin, 1924- person
associatedWith Wilson, Sallie, person
Place Name Admin Code Country
Subject
Ballet
Choreographers
Choreography
Manuscripts
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1909-04-04

Death 1987-04-19

Britons

English

Information

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