Rolan Petit Choreographer Date of Birth: 13.01.1924 Country: France

1. Biography of Roland Petit
2. Early Career and Moscow Controversy
3. A Different Perspective on Russian Literature
4. The Connection Between Money and Talent
5. Remembering Rudolf Nureyev and Marilyn Monroe
6. Avant-Garde Ballet and Classical Choreographers
7. The Importance of Love

Biography of Roland Petit

Roland Petit was a legendary French dancer and choreographer, widely regarded as one of the greatest ballet classics of the 20th century. His talent and artistry extended beyond the world of ballet, as his works were admired in Hollywood, where he choreographed dances for Fred Astaire, and in major theaters worldwide. He had friendships with Rudolf Nureyev and acquaintances with Marlene Dietrich and Greta Garbo, and collaborated with Mikhail Baryshnikov and Maya Plisetskaya.

Early Career and Moscow Controversy

Petit initially had a complex relationship with Russia. In the 1960s, the then Minister of Culture, Ekaterina Furtseva, adamantly prohibited Petit from bringing his ballet based on Mayakovsky's verses to Moscow. However, Petit eventually made his way to Moscow, first with the ballet "The Queen of Spades" featuring Nikolai Tsiskaridze and Ilze Liepa in lead roles. Recently, his new ballet, "The Cathedral of Notre-Dame," premiered at the Bolshoi Theatre.

A Different Perspective on Russian Literature

In an interview, Petit expressed his frustration with the tendency to focus solely on 19th-century Russian literature, such as Tolstoy, Dostoevsky, and Pushkin, when discussing Russia. He pointed out that there were also great writers in the 20th century, such as Michel Tournier and Marguerite Yourcenar, who often went unrecognized and unappreciated.

The Connection Between Money and Talent

When asked about the connection between money and talent, Petit acknowledged his love for money, but emphasized that it was not the most important thing to him. He cherished the ballets he created more than his bank account. He also acknowledged that the relationship between money and talent varies from person to person, citing examples such as Picasso, who made a fortune while Vincent van Gogh died in poverty despite his talent.

Remembering Rudolf Nureyev and Marilyn Monroe

Petit remembered his close friend Rudolf Nureyev, describing him as a happy person who was obsessed with dance. Nureyev's dedication to his art was so intense that he disregarded his health until his untimely death. Petit also shared his encounters with Marilyn Monroe during their time at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, noting her simplicity, modesty, and inner radiance. He believed that her genius was evident on screen, despite not being the most beautiful or starring in groundbreaking films. He mentioned that her early death contributed to her fame.

Avant-Garde Ballet and Classical Choreographers

Petit expressed his opinion on avant-garde ballet and the lack of classical choreographers in the modern era. He criticized the focus on athleticism and competition on stage, mentioning a ballet he saw in Paris that consisted of a woman commenting on making love to a sleeping man, which he found unrelated to dance. Petit lamented the shortage of young classical choreographers, with Yuri Grigorovich being one of the few remaining masters.

The Importance of Love

When asked to add one more subject to Balzac's famous statement about writing on death and money, Petit emphasized the significance of love. He believed that love, in all its forms, towards children, spouses, lovers, or even towards the present moment, was the most important thing in the world.