The Beauty of Dance, Part Two: Sylvie Guillem

French ballet dancer Sylvie Guillem caused a sensation in her homeland when she debuted as a premiere danseuse with the Paris Opera ballet at the age of nineteen for her fluidity and grace onstage.



Her decision to perform with the Royal Ballet in Britain led to a major political controversy (only in France!) that had the National Assembly bring the nation's culture minister in to testify on the matter. Guillem has not only danced with the Royal Ballet, but she has also performed as a guest artist with the Kirov Ballet in St. Petersburg and the American Ballet Theatre in New York.

You can find out more at this tribute Web page to her.