Basil Thompson
Encyclopedia
Basil Thompson was an acclaimed ballet
dancer, master, and teacher.
He was trained by the Sadler's Wells Ballet School, now the Royal Ballet in London, and began his career with the Covent Garden
Opera Ballet. He became a soloist with the American Ballet Theatre
in New York City in 1960, was a ballet master with the Joffrey Ballet
, then became a ballet master and artistic director of the Milwaukee Ballet
from 1981 to 2000. During his early career in the USA he was married to Alaine Haubert and they had a son, Edward Thompson, in 1969.
Thompson died November 2, 2004 in Lynchburg, Virginia
of sudden cardiac arrest
. He was on sabbatical from teaching at the University of Iowa
. He was 67.
"Basil brought joy, vigor and dedication to his work as a ballet master, teacher and coach," Gerald Arpino, founder and artistic director of the Joffrey Ballet, stated after Thompson's demise. "He knew the art of ballet thoroughly and lovingly shared it with all of us."
Ballet
Ballet is a type of performance dance, that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century, and which was further developed in France and Russia as a concert dance form. The early portions preceded the invention of the proscenium stage and were presented in large chambers with...
dancer, master, and teacher.
He was trained by the Sadler's Wells Ballet School, now the Royal Ballet in London, and began his career with the Covent Garden
Covent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
Opera Ballet. He became a soloist with the American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre
American Ballet Theatre , based in New York City, was one of the foremost ballet companies of the 20th century. It continues as a leading dance company in the world today...
in New York City in 1960, was a ballet master with the Joffrey Ballet
Joffrey Ballet
The Joffrey Ballet is a dance company in Chicago, Illinois, founded in 1956. From 1995 to 2004, the company was known as The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago. The company regularly performs classical ballets including Romeo & Juliet and The Nutcracker, while balancing those classics with pioneering modern...
, then became a ballet master and artistic director of the Milwaukee Ballet
Milwaukee Ballet
The Milwaukee Ballet is a professional ballet company located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States. It was founded in 1969 by Roberta Boorse and held its first performance on April 24, 1970. It is currently ranked among the top twelve ballet companies in the United States...
from 1981 to 2000. During his early career in the USA he was married to Alaine Haubert and they had a son, Edward Thompson, in 1969.
Thompson died November 2, 2004 in Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg, Virginia
Lynchburg is an independent city in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The population was 75,568 as of 2010. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains along the banks of the James River, Lynchburg is known as the "City of Seven Hills" or "The Hill City." Lynchburg was the only major city in...
of sudden cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest, is the cessation of normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract effectively...
. He was on sabbatical from teaching at the University of Iowa
University of Iowa
The University of Iowa is a public state-supported research university located in Iowa City, Iowa, United States. It is the oldest public university in the state. The university is organized into eleven colleges granting undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees...
. He was 67.
"Basil brought joy, vigor and dedication to his work as a ballet master, teacher and coach," Gerald Arpino, founder and artistic director of the Joffrey Ballet, stated after Thompson's demise. "He knew the art of ballet thoroughly and lovingly shared it with all of us."