Martins, Peter
Martins, Peter,
1946–, Danish ballet dancer and choreographer. He studied at the School of the Royal Danish BalletRoyal Danish Ballet,one of the oldest major ballet companies, established at the opening of Denmark's Royal Theater in Copenhagen in 1748. Its ballet school, which trains the group's dancers, has also operated since the 18th cent.
..... Click the link for more information. and performed with its company (1965–69). In 1969 he joined the New York City BalletNew York City Ballet
(NYCB), one of the foremost American dance companies of the 20th and 21st cents. It was founded by Lincoln Kirstein and George Balanchine as the Ballet Society in 1946.
..... Click the link for more information. , where he danced in numerous ballets, including Chaconne and Vienna Waltzes, often partnering Suzanne FarrellFarrell, Suzanne
, 1945–, American ballet dancer, b. Cincinnati, Ohio, as Roberta Sue Ficker. After studying in her hometown and at the School of American Ballet, she joined the New York City Ballet.
..... Click the link for more information. . 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 RobbinsRobbins, Jerome,
1918–98, American choreographer and dancer, b. New York City as Jerome Wilson Rabinowitz. Robbins began his career dancing in musicals (1937). In 1940 he joined the Ballet Theatre and in 1948 became associate artistic director of the New York City Ballet.
..... Click the link for more information. became co-ballet master in chief of the company, a position Martins occupied alone after the Robbins' retirement in 1989. Martins retired (2018) after accusations in 2017 of abusive behavior and sexual harassment.
Bibliography
See his autobiography (with R. Cornfield), Far from Denmark (1982).