Martins, Peter

Martins, Peter, 1946–, Danish ballet dancer and choreographer. He studied at the School of the Royal Danish Ballet and performed with its company (1965–69). In 1969 he joined the New York City Ballet, where he danced in numerous ballets, including Chaconne and Vienna Waltzes, often partnering Suzanne Farrell. Martins' choreographed works include Calcium Light Night (1977), Five Easy Pieces (1980), Les Gentilhommes (1987), A Musical Offering (1991), Symphonic Dances (1994), and Distant Light (2004). In 1983 Martins retired from dancing and with Jerome Robbins became coballet master in chief of the company, a position Martins has occupied alone since the retirement of Robbins in 1989.

Bibliography

See his autobiography (with R. Cornfield), Far from Denmark (1982).

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Martins, Peter

(born Oct. 27, 1946, Copenhagen, Den.) Danish-born U.S. dancer, choreographer, and director of the New York City Ballet. He trained at the Royal Danish Ballet School and became a member of its company in 1965. He joined the New York City Ballet in 1969 as a principal dancer and created roles in ballets such as Jerome Robbins's Goldberg Variations (1971) and George Balanchine's Duo Concertante (1972). He began choreographing for the company in 1977 with Calcium Light Night. After Balanchine's death in 1983, Martins became codirector (until 1990) and then sole director of the company.

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Martins, Peter (1946–  ) ballet dancer, choreographer; born in Copenhagen, Denmark. He trained at the School of the Royal Danish Ballet, and performed in its company (1965–69) before joining the New York City Ballet (1970). Key roles and a celebrated partnership with Suzanne Farrell propelled him to prominence as a dancer. He began choreographing with Calcium Light Night (1977); in 1983 he was appointed co-ballet master-in-chief with Jerome Robbins and retired from dancing. He became the sole master-in-chief in 1990. He choreographed several pieces a year, such as Songs of the Auvergne (1986). In 1993 he restaged Sleeping Beauty after Petipa and produced a much-acclaimed retrospective of George Balanchine's works.