Ulysses Dove
Encyclopedia
Ulysses Dove was one of the most innovative contemporary choreographers of the past half-century.
Dove began his dance training at Boggs Academy in Georgia. Dove gave up his premedical studies at Howard University
to transfer to the University of Wisconsin and study dance with Xenia Chilistwa of the Kirov Ballet. He then transferred to Bennington College
where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in dance in 1970. He then moved to New York City and was offered a scholarship to Merce Cunningham
School as well as a position in the company. While in New York he performed for Mary Anthony, Pearl Lang, and Anna Sokolow
. Alvin Ailey
asked Dove to join his company in 1973 after seeing Dove perform in Sokolow's Rooms.
Dove soon became Alvin Ailey's principal dancer and became renowned for his ability to command the stage with a powerful and dramatic clarity. His choreographic debut came in 1979 with the piece "I see the moon…. and the moon sees me." He then left Alvin Ailey the following year and became the assistant director at the Groupe de Recherche Choreographique de l'Opéra de Paris from 1980 to 1983. Dove then became a freelance choreographer, working for companies such as the Dutch National Ballet
, the Basel Ballet, American Ballet Theatre
, New York City Ballet
, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC) and the London Festival Ballet.
Dove's choreography is famous for its speed, force and eroticism. Some of his more famous works are Night Shade (1982), Bad Blood (1984), Vespers (1986) originally set on DCDC, and Episodes (1987). Red Angels (1994) was created for and premiered at New York City Ballet. Twilight, which was performed on May 23, 1994 with Red Angels, was Dove's final creation.
Dove died on June 11, 1996 at the age of 49, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan of an AIDS
-related illness.
Dove began his dance training at Boggs Academy in Georgia. Dove gave up his premedical studies at Howard University
Howard University
Howard University is a federally chartered, non-profit, private, coeducational, nonsectarian, historically black university located in Washington, D.C., United States...
to transfer to the University of Wisconsin and study dance with Xenia Chilistwa of the Kirov Ballet. He then transferred to Bennington College
Bennington College
Bennington College is a liberal arts college located in Bennington, Vermont, USA. The college was founded in 1932 as a women's college and became co-educational in 1969.-History:-Early years:...
where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in dance in 1970. He then moved to New York City and was offered a scholarship to Merce Cunningham
Merce Cunningham
Mercier "Merce" Philip Cunningham was an American dancer and choreographer who was at the forefront of the American avant-garde for more than 50 years. Throughout much of his life, Cunningham was considered one of the greatest creative forces in American dance...
School as well as a position in the company. While in New York he performed for Mary Anthony, Pearl Lang, and Anna Sokolow
Anna Sokolow
Anna Sokolow was a Jewish American dancer and choreographer.-Training:...
. Alvin Ailey
Alvin Ailey
Alvin Ailey, Jr. was an American choreographer and activist who founded the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in New York. Ailey is credited with popularizing modern dance and revolutionizing African-American participation in 20th century concert dance...
asked Dove to join his company in 1973 after seeing Dove perform in Sokolow's Rooms.
Dove soon became Alvin Ailey's principal dancer and became renowned for his ability to command the stage with a powerful and dramatic clarity. His choreographic debut came in 1979 with the piece "I see the moon…. and the moon sees me." He then left Alvin Ailey the following year and became the assistant director at the Groupe de Recherche Choreographique de l'Opéra de Paris from 1980 to 1983. Dove then became a freelance choreographer, working for companies such as the Dutch National Ballet
Dutch National Ballet
Dutch National Ballet was formed in 1961 when the Amsterdams Ballet and the Nederlands Ballet merged. The company has been directed by Sonia Gaskell , Rudi van Dantzig , Wayne Eagling and is currently directed by Ted Brandsen. It is the largest dance company in the Netherlands and attracts many...
, the Basel Ballet, 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...
, New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet
New York City Ballet is a ballet company founded in 1948 by choreographer George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein. Leon Barzin was the company's first music director. Balanchine and Jerome Robbins are considered the founding choreographers of the company...
, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC) and the London Festival Ballet.
Dove's choreography is famous for its speed, force and eroticism. Some of his more famous works are Night Shade (1982), Bad Blood (1984), Vespers (1986) originally set on DCDC, and Episodes (1987). Red Angels (1994) was created for and premiered at New York City Ballet. Twilight, which was performed on May 23, 1994 with Red Angels, was Dove's final creation.
Dove died on June 11, 1996 at the age of 49, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Manhattan of an AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
-related illness.