Fokine, Mikhail (Mikhaylovich)

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Fokine, Mikhail (Mikhaylovich) [ Michel] Fokine (b St Petersburg, 1880; d NY, 1942). Russ. dancer and choreographer. Member of Mariinsky Th. Started to teach 1902. Choreog. The Dying Swan for Pavlova 1907. Engaged as chief choreog. 1909 by Diaghilev who recognized his genius as a reformer of ballet methods. Among his greatest ballets were Les Sylphides, Sheherazade, Firebird, Petrushka, Daphnis et Chloé, and Josephslegende. After break with Diaghilev, worked as freelance, settling in NY 1923.