Kenneth MacMillan

Sir Kenneth MacMillan (1929–1992) was a Scottish choreographer and one of the most important figures in twentieth-century ballet, known above all for his psychologically intense, dramatic narrative ballets. He trained at the Sadler's Wells Ballet School and danced with the Sadler's Wells Ballet and the Royal Ballet before devoting himself to choreography. He served as Director of The Royal Ballet from 1970 to 1977 and subsequently as its Principal Choreographer. His major narrative works — many created for the company — are distinguished by their emotional rawness, demanding physicality, and willingness to tackle difficult subject matter. They include Romeo and Juliet (1965), Anastasia (1971), Manon (1974), Mayerling (1978), and Gloria (1980). He also created significant non-narrative works including Song of the Earth (1965), set to Mahler's Das Lied von der Erde, and Requiem (1984), set to Fauré's Requiem. He died in the wings of the Royal Opera House during a performance of Mayerling.