IN-PERSON: The Elderwise classroom at the Vineyard Church
Margot Fonteyn and Rudolf Nureyev were arguably the greatest partners in the history of ballet. This 2005 documentary from the Kultur International Film series, traces their partnership from its explosive inception in 1962 in Giselle at Covent Garden, to its grand finale 17 years later. At the beginning, Dame Margot was already an acclaimed star of the ballet world, while Nureyev was an electrifying young upstart from the Kirov Ballet and a highly publicized recent defector from the Soviet Union. Their legendary partnership started quickly despite their 19-year difference in age and experience. The film includes excerpts from many of their performances, as well as rare behind-the-scenes footage of both dancers. Toby Teorey is the current Vice Chair of the Elderwise Council. He is retired from the Computer Science and Engineering Department at the University of Michigan and in retirement pursues his enduring love of film, music, and world culture.
