Mikhail Baryshnikov 1976 US tv debut at Wolf trap

[@marilynhayden527]

Lucky me! I was there. It was he most exciitng ballet program I had ever seen. Everyone was comletely captivated by Baryshykov, who danced so beautifully wihth two of the best ballerinas. The crowd went wild. When he did his solo perfomance of Vestris we were all in orbit. I haven't seen it since and I a thrilled to find it here. Thanks to everyone who had a part in bringing this to us. I hated that the women looked to frail, esecially next to the athletic perfection of Baryshnikov. He kept getting better and better if that is possible. Marilyn Hyden '22

[@pediatrapaola]

l have seen him before ,and after ,in 75 at his italian debut in giselle with our carla fracci in florence ,than still in 75 with fracci at spoleto in medea and again in 75 in venice ith mrs kirkland in don q pdd ,later in 77 in bayaderka shadows act in nervi balletfestival ,what to say ,he was simply super.

[@vgoth100]

Wow...lucky girl..I do agree that Gelsey so thin and frail yet was one of the few who could outmatch him...like Ginger to Fred Astaire....only Gelsey had demons to outrun (misha no less) and I give major kudos to her for being so amazing while struggling for her life...thank you

[@AlejandroGarcia-ek3uy]

@@vgoth100Impossible to outdo Mr. Barishnikov, she simply was worth her partner, very good ballerina. 💐🌹Kudos to both of them 💐💐💐💐💐

[@tinawilson1181]

I was there, too! It was an amazing performance!

[@patriciafoster3347]

Oooooohhhhhhh YOU’RE SO LUCKY! But I think he and Gelsey were perfect together.

[@ThirzaLynetteClarke-ku9dq]

Unspeakably beautiful. No words to describe.

[@pridenprejudice2004]

Gelsey Kirland showing that it's not necessary to have extension up to your ears to be a phenom and captivating. Nothing was ever thrown away with her. She was impeccable.

[@bonnieyost2578]

One of the most enjoyable aspects of his dancing is the perfect timing - something too many dancers either ignore or can't feel. He rarely (if ever) fails to recognize and dance to the music. He's also a marvelous dancing actor. Just a few of so many gifts. Mr. Baryshnikov, you are truly the best EVER.

[@ChantePierce-kp3uf]

Rudolph Nureyev was better than all. Don't get me wrong love Baryshnikov for sure my favorite !

[@stayloyalbutnotstupid]

Baryshnikov was a beautiful dancer , still looking very handsome and fit.Gelsey Kirland book is very interessting. She's a real ballerina.

[@geoffreyday4681]

Misha … combination of artistry and perfect technique that has Never been equaled…….!

[@SarahAParis]

I was in the front row for this fantastic performance!🌟👌😍A birthday present from my parents who knew Mikhail Baryshnikov is my favorite dancer.

[@geovaniamendonca]

I would like to have Misha as a birthday present! I love to see him dancing.❤

[@acacia-bloom]

Apart from his sensational technical skills, he seemed to combine boyish looks with an extremely masculine body, grace and sensitivity with tour de force acrobatics. He was such an amazing combination of everything required for this wonderful profession. Oh I forgot something his undeniable charisma and charm that could probably woo absolutely every single person on the audience.

[@Oilofmercy]

True, could you imagine being his dance partner. . and why do all the male ballet dancers have such great hair! its true!

[@amysteppe6485]

He does look boyish in a good way whereas Nureyv was like a sexual animal. I love them both!

[@DCFunBud]

Misha was unbelievable. The U.S. had never seen dancing on that level before.

[@christar9527]

I’m glad Gelseys message was included at the end. I don’t know much about her but it’s very obvious that she suffered from an eating disorder. I know that she was addicted to cocaine too and thought that was the reason she was painfully thin. I bet she barely had any strength to dance after awhile. Still her performance here was beautiful and Misha is just a genius.

[@nothersheep]

Her biography was required reading for my degree. Yep. Lots was going on.

[@Gallop4Me]

While I do not understand most of the "language" of ballet, it is certainly easy to see that Mikhail was made to dance and is, without question, THE best dancer I have ever seen.

[@MariaHerrera-ln1uu]

MIKHAIL, NO HABRA OTRO IGUAL!!! GENIO FOREVER !!!! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@lizlocher3612]

Most definitely there have only been a few master's of Ballet 🩰 that are legendary n Misha is the most current phenomenon of the trio of All-stars!!! I was trained in Ballet 🩰 by Louis Ravenal n His ex wife Lorna Simmonds from the New York City Ballet 🩰 when they opened the first Russian Ballet School in Detroit, Michigan in the 1970's through the 1980's, n Louis was also a phenomenon even in his 50's when he taught us at The Detroit Chamber Ballet 🩰 Society that I was a member of the Corp's De Ballet for years early in my theatrical n musical career, n it was the most blessed n marvelous time in my entire life to be able to learn from 2 such fabulously talented performers as well as teachers, n our idol of all time was Baryshnikov!!!! Makarava n Kirkland were our female idols at that time;!! It was wonderful to see Misha in his prime, the most perfect n powerful performer of Ballet 🩰 ever in history!!! Thank you for making my night n posting this extremely exciting program!!!

[@viki56k88]

Наверное самая красивая и волшебная пара в мире. Миша и Гисли. Нет слов

[@Elong.]

Kelsey’s autobiography “Dancing On My Grave” is such a haunting book. Being able to see what a perfectionist she was and her dancing with Misha is amazing!

[@mithrilmoon1]

Misha was in his prime without question the greatest male dancer in the world - and, together with Nijinsky and Nureyev, one of the three most gifted and influential male dancers OF ALL TIME. I do not say this lightly. Misha came as close to perfection as any human being could hope to come. His staggering natural gifts, his artistry, will never be surpassed.

[@pediatrapaola5222]

you are right but don't forget yuri soloviev and vladimir vasiliev.

[@Carelessquetzal]

Oh, what a shame to see Fokine's treasure diminished to this( Obviously he doesn't get here Le spectre de la rose at all - neither in technique nor artistically. There are many better versions, Manuel Legris and Claude de Vulpian's, or Tsiskaridze's. Here I can't see "as close to perfection as any human being could hope to come" anywhere.

[@pediatrapaola5222]

Carelessquetzal tsiska is awful imo in the role .suggest a look at paolo bortoluzzi is posted on YT

[@Carelessquetzal]

pediatrapaola many thanks for the recommendation, Carla is an outstanding Young Girl and Paolo there makes the part near the end shine like no one ever could) Great addition to my collection! Though why so harsh on Tsiskaridze? In his portrayal, which is imo quite ok, i especially like the moment where the Rose falls in front of the Girl's armchair almost in the end - and as far as i know only he tries to make some sense of this moment, not just do this because he can or choreographer says so)) And also the SMILE - that may seem a little creepy at first but you get used to it after a time)

[@pediatrapaola5222]

Carelessquetzal l am not a tsiska's fan and expecially in this role

[@carrietide]

Misha was so young and handsome. And INCREDIBLY GOOD.

[@rickeeeddleman5614]

I remember where I sat....and was mesmerized the entire evening. But! Spectre de la Rose was the beginning of a serious love of ballet that night. The man was unbeeeeeelievable!!!

[@tarantellalarouge7632]

I think that Baryshnikov is always perfect except in le Spectre de la Rose ..; His head and arms are a bit "heavy". It is a very tricky role because the dancer has to find his "feminine" side and maybe Baryshnikov is too "manly" for this ?. Anyway he is better than a lot of dancers, but Manuel Legris (POB) or Tsiskaridzé are better in this role. It is possible to compare their performances on YT. In Don Quixote, he is dazzling .....

[@tamarastikes4319]

ВЕЛИКОЛЕПНЫЙ И НАСТОЯШИЙ МУЖСКОЙ СТИЛЬ ТАНЦА !!!!!!

[@dbinmoscow1]

@@SimaVyuzhnaya посмотрим на тебя как ты на восьмом десятке спляшешь🤣🤣🤣

[@SimaVyuzhnaya]

@@dbinmoscow1 , на восьмом десятке и ты спляшешь, но не станцуешь)

[@dbinmoscow1]

@@SimaVyuzhnaya глуповатый ответ.

[@SimaVyuzhnaya]

@@dbinmoscow1 на твой тупой комментарий

[@catherineshaurli6110]

On dirait vraiment qu'il reste un instant suspendu en l'air ! Il est merveilleux.

[@patriciafoster3347]

I could watch these two all day. And sometimes I do!

[@agnesszilagyi4911]

❤❤

[@byn63]

Gelsey Kirkland was a beautiful ballerina! Her burres en pointe textbook! Such a shame that she shortened her performing career so tragically!

[@Madelyn5454]

Misha is simply the best

[@46foryounger]

Unbelievable to see someone perform at that level with the issues she had. An amazing talent and dedicated artist. I love watching them together❤️

[@ДарьяБирюк-у9ц]

Столь чистое вращение до сих пор никто не может делать!!!

[@kathya2608]

He was the best dancer I've ever seen in any rotations. He made air tours, pirouettes , tour jetes look like never ending flights in the air.

[@kathya2608]

I'm so glad we have the videos of him!

[@icossette2230]

ah.Baryshnikov...la perfection terrestre

[@mariteix]

Maravilhoso! Mil vezes maravilhoso! isso é verdadeiramente "Ballet Clássico" na totalidade do termo. Considero que as décadas de 70 e 80 (talvez um pouco de 90) foi o período mais brilhante do ballet clássico e Baryshnikov seu representante masculino máximo em todos os tempos. Além de bailarino perfeito, era um grande intérprete.

[@thebluehotel426]

Gelsey is absolutely the best.

[@GilaKatz-Kfir-ip7ue]

Absolutely brilliant performance! He is so incredibly talented, was built to dance with a personality that adds excitement !

[@megienger]

The great moments of Baryshnikov

[@megienger]

Robert Stevens

[@megienger]

I hope it will come@

[@tommydenzio]

My teacher Andre Eglevsky coached Baryishnikov in this ballet.

[@giuliorenzobighin8165]

Anche l'inerzia che si tramuta nel balletto in nozze con l'aria. MIRABILE.BIGHIN GIULIO RENZO

[@mariitadoval5099]

I was lucky to see Micha and the best of the ABT in the late 1970's and 1980's, when he was the Director. Love watching these videos that remind me of such great performances and experiences.

[@pediatrapaola]

me too saw him in 75 77 and 79 ,what to say? unforgettable

[@brianasayles]

pediatrapaola vvc c b

[@veecee3669]

Simply stunning.

[@vgoth100]

Grew up with a Misha loving mom and loving him and ballet as a girl...I had the pleasure of seeing him with Hells Kitchen in 2007...can't do the jumps anymore but what a tremendous and silent dancer with the power of a tornado...his feet touch the floor but you never hear it....that still stands as one of the best days of my life...5th row in small theater with a legend less than ten feet from me...not many could match him, like Fred Astaire...match up with those two and unless you are as good you unfortunately look like a lumbering vulture (and those trying to keep up are *good* dancers...just unfortunate to not have that great a gift)

[@nelliapotachenskaia6705]

Барышников не только гениально танцует, он так же гениально создает неповторимые образы, обладая незаурядным актерским даром. В наше время это потрясающее качество воплотил в своем так рано оборвавшемся творчестве премьер Мариинки Владимир Шкляров.

[@OmarTorrez]

Good god... Misha...

[@esperanzacastillo6281]

uyyy.No esperaba ver . Bueno El SIEMPRE fué y Es un Hermoso Genios del Balleth.

[@Madelyn5454]

Pure joy to watch Misha !!

[@dmitrid1]

Fun and playful program! Loved Baryshnikov's gargouillade in Vespris, have not seen anything like it before.

[@АлександрКолесов-ь5й]

Великолепно❤❤

[@harrietvane224]

Beautiful!

[@reanimato1]

thank you! Vestris is phenomenal!

[@Leticiasantos-tm6dg]

Maravilhoso Podem falar o que for de outros Mikhail é o melhor!! Ele é leve,gentil,parece ser até muito mais humilde Passa serenidade...paz Apaixonei me por ele em Sol da meia noite.Divinoooo💖⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@conniemandler2001]

Brilliant!

[@elizabethcoopersoutham6573]

superb command and mastery not only of his physique but of the vey space around him !

[@mariachile2368]

Para mi, G. Kirclan es la mejor bailarina q ha existido, junto a otras super super como por ejemplo la Makarova. Las amo! ❤❤❤❤❤

[@carmen9330]

In my opinion Coppelia is the best part here..his leaps...and Gelsey looks stronger in it...They`re just perfect together!

[@DocDLH]

The amount of strength and power (for each) that it takes to look that graceful and that delicate (for Gelsey) is off the charts.

[@DavidBustamanteVermillion]

El pas de deux de Coppelia esta muy bonito, porque nunca lo vi antes y con Baryshnikov luce mejor! Muy buen aporte de vídeo!

[@dirgesinthedark5637]

GOD BLESS GELSEY! GOOD LORD!

[@viknetetsy8744]

Волшебно!!!

[@AlejandroGarcia-ek3uy]

Braaaaaavooooooo!!! 💐💐💐💐💐💐🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹🌹❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@AnaLuiza-rl9ee]

Maravilhoso...

[@nelidaanacarballo1073]

QUEDA SUSPENDIDO EN EL AIRE!!!NO SE PUEDE CREER!

[@patricianstyle3500]

Thank you for uploading. I had a chance to see Mikhail Baryshnikov even in Japan, but small works of roses etc are rarely to be performed. All pa de deux is delicately played and it is wonderful.

[@silviacervellati4290]

Grandissima ammiratrice del meraviglioso Baryshnikov. Grazie per questo preziosissimo documento! 🌺♥️🌺

[@karmalhasa8477]

The cinematographer has done Baryshnikov and posterity a disservice by cutting off his feet! What were they thinking?

[@fabianafernandez8025]

Hola para Mikael y su compañera bailarina se nota el impresionante talento amor ♥️🔥 pasión y fuerza fuego interior que tiene y su bailarina muy delicada cautivante actuación refleja la armonía ,verlo bailar explota el universo gracias por tan humilde persona especial lo mejor a tu vida ♥️🔥🌈💞🎵✨💥🌹🌹🌹🌹⭐👑🇦🇷

[@georgiegirl0621]

30:55 -58 the effortless grace in his arial maneuver is breathtaking. It takes tremendous power to appear as light as a feather.

[@pediatrapaola5222]

wow l miss misha so much .l saw at his top in 70's ,and what to say ? just wooow

[@Bnesque]

but not spectre.

[@pediatrapaola5222]

Bnesque not among my fav spectre.

[@stephaniecruvant9130]

Baryshnikov really was a badly needed miracle for classical dance in the USA in the '70's!

[@pediatrapaola5222]

Stephanie Cruvant he was simply magnificent the first time l saw was in 75 in giselle with our fracci later in 75 in don q with kirkland and 77 with kirkland again in bayaderka shadows act .later in 79 saw when was with NYCB but imo was not suitable for his qualities

[@pediatrapaola5222]

Stephanie Cruvant yes but to be right untill the end we also must consider that as all the defectors he had a giant pubblicity from their clamorous defections in full cold war time.many other great dancers that didn't defect were virtually unknown in west , for first the greatest kirov dancer ever yuri soloviev .

[@mariadabrowska2321]

Bravissimo! ! !

[@ameliaiandolo5592]

STUPENDO ....IN VESTRIS INSUPERABILE ARTISTA!

[@movieguyq]

gelsey you know we love you. you put on the red shoes and although they almost killed you you conquered them.

[@smaralia]

thanks for uploading this! the guy is a freaking genius!!!!

[@ЛюдмилаБысько-к6ъ]

Барышников самый великий диссидент

[@Mz.dlt59]

Geniooooo

[@melrose795]

Wow.. I just got to the end and saw the statement from Gelsey Kirkland.. I must say, I am not surprised, as she looked a bit frail and was just a bit behind the music... No wonder...

[@DonnaMcMasterRiver]

At 29:01she looked so shaky that I was afraid she wouldn’t be able to go on. She had a lot of courage and sheer grit.

[@christar9527]

She looked kind of sickly but pulled it off very well still. How much longer could she dance being in that kind of shape?

[@lacouerfairy]

Gelsey was just sublime.

[@ВалерияЯковлева-ч7я]

Это шутка?

[@josephinestabel9647]

👣👣👣👣👣 Amazing Dancer 💌...

[@WBFbySteefen]

9:00 is OH MY GAWD!!!!!

[@mikeg2924]

Great - he's so theatrical in Vestris!

[@maracmallen]

El mejor, sin duda alguna

[@miguelcastro265]

el mejor por siempre

[@marcosbarzagli]

❤❤❤❤❤ MITO

[@sabineb.5616]

I don't really like Gelsey Kirkland's personality - but I cannot deny that she was one of the greatest ballerinas ever. She is dazzling and absolutely perfect.

[@mares3841]

💛

[@fabiesque]

only two immense artists could have turned such an idioti music into divine

[@vitiachao9765]

20:02 Vestris 27:10 Don Quixote

[@sageoasis]

❤

[@vitiachao9765]

@@sageoasis ❤

[@nathalievalade5787]

To be super thin was required for the ballerinas in that time,would never be today

[@hannekekoolen8243]

I wish Gelsey's statement was placed at the beginning.

[@lucyosborne9239]

Only a truly dedicated dancer would wear THAT outfit, pink with little stuff stuck to it. Leave it to Baryshnikov!

[@AA..4]

Интересно, что он ей тогда сказал?

[@lynxminx4]

Does anyone know who composed the music for Vestris?

[@dinorivera9153]

What happened to the push comes to shove segment, why was it removed?

[@pedinurse1]

But they didnt do the famous fish dive, what happened????

[@sandragoodman2059]

The term "Danseur Noble" was invented for Baryshnikov.

[@rupertchristiansen5826]

God, she was thin at that point

[@tvojvolk]

Misha-the great, even the best, and here is Gelsi Kirkland not fits him. compare the pas de de don Quixote with Ludmila Semenyaka 1969 year, she was only 17 years old, but this is another level

[@МаринаПолякова-б3х]

Да, соглашусь, она здесь не совсем в форме, и в па-де-де из "Дон Кихота" это становится заметно, но с Семенякой Барышников танцует стандартно, а здесь он сама чувственность и страсть на сцене, и во многом благодаря партнерству.

[@ВалерияЯковлева-ч7я]

Она здесь совсем никакая -кахектичная болезненная,дрожат руки и ноги,прыжка нет,с баланса того гляди свалится-это просто ужас и жалкое зрелище...Зачем эту обессиленную и больную балерину вообще выпустили на сцену?Это жалкая пародия на женскую партию

[@ЛюдмилаБысько-к6ъ]

Ни бродский ни набоков не вложили столько сил

[@v.britton4445]

Gelsey was too thin to believe

[@ЛюдмилаБысько-к6ъ]

Нобелевскую барышникову,.. её нет

[@theresa42213]

l do think Gelsey needs 5 lbs here. Her knees are looking a bit knobby. Just my preference. She was one of the best dancers l ever did see!

[@dougr.2398]

I only watched this (so far) for “Le Spectre de la Rose”.... there are some inspired moments in it, and good orchestration in spots but I must wonder.... this seems to be the dying gasp of an under appreciated art form and a century and lifestyle equally passé or passant at least. I would hope Vaslav Nijinsky was much more exciting throughout and the final exit via the window not like Baryshnikov departing from Mother Russia (defecting)...

[@prskyguy]

he did ok

[@kathymyers7279]

prskyguy lol

[@SimaVyuzhnaya]

Гэлси такая тоненькая и худенькая даже для балерины)

[@mburnhors]

Well folks, he's an old man now and on social security.

[@sopranosd]

The solo viola is really terrible. He's sawing away with no musicality or tone. It's really distracting.

[@rosemaryallen2128]

Odd to watch, because Baryshnikov was an incredibly glorious dancer without an ounce of sex appeal. In 'Spectre' the extreme sensuality of the movement gave the role a positively sinister undertone. At least, that's how it seemed to me! Too bad...

[@cellalong9694]

Surely you jest.

[@bethfiori4708]

On the contrary, he oozes sensuality and sex appeal and enlivens the art form with that energy.

[@gaylehunter7744]

For real

[@vladimmir100]

Все-таки много в Барышникове дамской слащавости.

[@nenarocom]

далеко не везде) и только внешне

[@seralex101]

Совершенно верно! Сладкий мальчик мирового балета, любимый типаж многих женщин. Танцовщик, конечно, блестящий, виртуозно-техничный, но, на мой взгляд, не феноменальный. Не вижу я у него той гениальной магической танцевальной стихии, что была у Улановой, Плисецкой, Чабукиани, Васильева...

[@МаринаПолякова-б3х]

@@seralex101 Это у Васильева и Чабукиани нет того аристократизма, изящества и музыкальности, которые есть у Барышникова. Записей Чабукиани я не видела, но по сравнению с Васильевым можно сказать однозначно. Васильев па-де-де из "Дон Кихота" танцует как набор трюков. А Барышников с Киркланд танцуют па-де-де из "Коппелии", "Дон Кихота" друг для друга, и это огромная разница.

[@гелядонская]

@@МаринаПолякова-б3х здесь явно доминирует балерина лёгкая как пёрышко, а мишаня танцует прекрасно но вот чем то отталкивает слишком прилизан

[@viki56k88]

​​@@seralex101 Сладкий мальчик многих женщин это Годунов, вовсе не Барышников. Он как раз плохой мальчик 😁

[@AlejandroGarcia-ek3uy]

In my opinion, he was quite disappointing here

[@mr1001nights]

Alejandro García what??? Dude ur nuts

[@freddiemercury4evr]

@@mr1001nights yes..completely nuts!!

[@christar9527]

? He was phenomenal!

[@BrittanyCocchino]

Man it's been a while since I seen Someone like Marianna get the stylization right for a Fokine Work. Chefs Kiss 🤌🏼