Anthony Dowell

Anthony Dowell

Born: February 16, 1943
Sir Anthony James Dowell CBE (born February 16, 1943) is a retired British ballet dancer and a former artistic director of the Royal Ballet from 1986–2001. He is widely recognized as one of the great danseurs nobles of the twentieth century. Dowell was born in London and trained with June Hampshire before entering The Royal Ballet School aged ten. In 1960 he graduated into the Covent Garden Opera Ballet, transferring to The Royal Ballet the following year. He was promoted to Principal in 1966. Dowell created his first role in 1964as Oberon in Frederick Ashton’sThe Dream. The ballet also saw the beginning of Dowell’s partnership with Sibley, who created the role of Titania. Further significant role creations included Des Grieux (Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon) and Beliaev (Ashton’s A Month in the Country). International appearances included dancing as a guest artist with American Ballet Theatre from the 1978/9 season on, and appearing in Ken Russell’s film Valentino (1977).

Movies for Anthony Dowell...

Darcey's Ballet Heroes
Title: Darcey's Ballet Heroes
Released: December 25, 2015
Type: Movie
60-minute film in which ballet star Darcey Bussell undertakes a very personal journey to meet the heroes and dancers who transformed male ballet.
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The Nutcracker - The Royal Ballet
Title: The Nutcracker - The Royal Ballet
Character: Drosselmeyer
Released: December 25, 2001
Type: Movie
A re-staging of the Royal Ballet's 1985 production, with Anthony Dowell - this time as Drosselmeyer - and a new supporting cast. This Royal Ballet production of The Nutcracker (staged by Peter Wright) is a mix of the Balanchine and Vainonen schools of the Nutcracker. The Balanchine version of the Nutcracker emphasizes the child s fantasy: a land of sweets, with comic relief. The Vainonen Nutcracker emphasizes the romantic dreams of an adolescent.
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Peter and the Wolf
Title: Peter and the Wolf
Character: Grandfather
Released: January 1, 1997
Type: Movie
A ballet version of the famous classic by Sergei Prokofiev, with narration by Anthony Dowell, who also dances the role of the Grandfather.
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The Sleeping Beauty
Title: The Sleeping Beauty
Character: Carabosse
Released: April 6, 1994
Type: Movie
The Sleeping Beauty unites Petipa's demanding but enchanting choreography with Tchaikovsky's wonderful score in one of the best-loved of all classical ballets. This recording of Anthony Dowell's 1994 production for The Royal Ballet, with designs by Maria Björnson, features an outstanding cast led by Viviana Durante as a radiant Princess Aurora. She is partnered by Zoltán Solymosi as Prince Florimund and Anthony Dowell himself is a glitteringly elegant embodiment of evil as the wicked fairy Carabosse. The Royal Ballet, exceptional as ever, is accompanied by the Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, deftly conducted by Barry Wordsworth.
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The Prince of the Pagodas
Title: The Prince of the Pagodas
Character: The Emperor
Released: January 1, 1990
Type: Movie
The Prince of the Pagodas is a ballet created for The Royal Ballet by choreographer John Cranko with music commissioned from Benjamin Britten. Its premiere took place on 1 January 1957 at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, London, conducted by Britten
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The Nutcracker
Title: The Nutcracker
Character: Sugar Plum Fairy's Prince
Released: January 1, 1985
Type: Movie
Sir Peter Wright’s 1984 version of The Nutcracker for The Royal Ballet, still performed by the Company, stays close to Hoffmann’s original tale. It emphasises Drosselmeyer’s mission to find a young girl – Clara – who can break the curse imposed by the Mouse King on his nephew Hans Peter and thus restore him to human form. References to Nuremberg and German Christmas traditions are present in the settings, with a kingdom of marzipan featured in Act 2.
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Swan Lake
Title: Swan Lake
Character: Prince Siegfried
Released: January 1, 1982
Type: Movie
The Royal Ballet's 1980 production of Tchaikovsky's classic ballet.
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Ashton: The Dream
Title: Ashton: The Dream
Character: Oberon
Released: August 7, 1978
Type: Movie
TV presentation of the ballet by Sir Frederick Ashton, performed by the Royal Ballet.
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The Beatles Forever
Title: The Beatles Forever
Character: Self
Released: November 24, 1977
Type: Movie
A musical salute to The Beatles.
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Valentino
Title: Valentino
Character: Vaslav Nijinsky
Released: September 7, 1977
Type: Movie
In 1926 the tragic and untimely death of a silent screen actor caused female moviegoers to riot in the streets and in some cases to commit suicide...
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A Month in the Country
Title: A Month in the Country
Character: Beliaev
Released: February 12, 1976
Type: Movie
A Month in the Country is a narrative ballet created in 1976 with choreography by Frederick Ashton, to the music of Frédéric Chopin (three works for piano and orchestra) arranged by John Lanchbery. It is based on the play by Ivan Turgenev of the same name, and lasts for about 40 minutes.
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Title: Great Performances
Character: Drosselmeyer
Released: January 28, 1971
Type: TV
The best in the performing arts from across America and around the world including a diverse programming portfolio of classical music, opera, popular song, musical theater, dance, drama, and performance documentaries.
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Cinderella
Title: Cinderella
Character: The Prince
Released: December 25, 1970
Type: Movie
Cinderella is helped to the ball by her fairy godmother in The Royal Ballet's version of the classic fairy tale, using Sergei Prokofiev's music and Frederick Ashton's choreography in a comic ballet.
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Romeo and Juliet
Title: Romeo and Juliet
Character: Benvolio
Released: October 4, 1966
Type: Movie
Classic ballet by Kenneth MacMillan to the music of Prokofiev.