Rudolf Khametovich Nureyev (17th March 1938 – 6th January 1993), the late and memorable ‘Danseur Noble’, backstage during morning exercice! (1978)
I trust many people still admire the memorable Rudolf Nureyev, as I always did not only as a photographer.
When Rudolf Nureyev once invited me on a tour, to do a shooting of him backstage during morning exercice, very early in the morning, I think it was about 7 o’clock, I felt highly privileged! These, until today unpublished photographs represent my respectful contribution to the late and memorable Danseur Noble, one of, if not the best in the 20th century.
Amongst many different subject matters, e.g. landscape-, portrait-, architecture-, etc. photography, I watched enthusiastically the ‘glory of dance’ for some years through my lenses. My greatest experience in context with Rudolf Nureyev was his ‘noiseless’ charisma, just focused on supreme perfection without the necessity of any kind of glamorous stage settings or appearances, just him!
When his coffin was lowered at his grave at the Russian cemetery in Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois, near Paris, the music of the last act of ‘Giselle’ was played; but many ballet enthusiasts still see him full of life and charisma in their thoughts, as I do.
My name is Alfons G. Jacob, I was born 1945 in Merano, Italy, and currently living in Vienna working as an independent photographer for more than forty five years.
