Theatre Costume
1963 (made)
| Artist/Maker |
This tunic was designed by Carl Toms for the 1963 production of Swan Lake, performed by The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. It was produced by Robert Helpmann and included new choreography by Frederick Ashton, Rudolf Nureyev and Maria Fay. It was intended that Nureyev would dance in the premiere on 12 December 1963, but injury prevented this. He first performed the role of Prince Siegfried on 6 March 1964, dancing opposite Margot Fonteyn.
The production took place when Nureyev was at the height of his powers as a charismatic dancer. It continued to be performed until 1970. Nureyev danced 26 performances of the production with The Royal Ballet in London and the USA and continued to use the costume when he appeared in Swan Lake as a guest artist with other companies. He also wore it on television.
Short, figure-hugging tunics were Nureyev's preferred style for classical ballet. This costume was a personal favourite and he appears to have had several versions of it made, all slightly modifying Carl Toms' original design to suit his physique. These include one in dark brown which was displayed in the Nureyev Exhibition at Moulin sur Allier (2009). Nureyev may be seen wearing variants of the costume in many photographs.
The production took place when Nureyev was at the height of his powers as a charismatic dancer. It continued to be performed until 1970. Nureyev danced 26 performances of the production with The Royal Ballet in London and the USA and continued to use the costume when he appeared in Swan Lake as a guest artist with other companies. He also wore it on television.
Short, figure-hugging tunics were Nureyev's preferred style for classical ballet. This costume was a personal favourite and he appears to have had several versions of it made, all slightly modifying Carl Toms' original design to suit his physique. These include one in dark brown which was displayed in the Nureyev Exhibition at Moulin sur Allier (2009). Nureyev may be seen wearing variants of the costume in many photographs.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Velvet, cotton, artificial pearls and paste jewels |
| Brief description | Costume designed by Carl Toms and worn by Rudolf Nureyev as Prince Siegfried in Act 3 of Swan Lake, Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, 1963. |
| Physical description | Tunic of black velvet with a false white cotton shirt open at the neck and with frilled cuffs. Attached is a simulated chain of yellow braid trimmed with paste 'diamonds' and artificial pearls, with a large medallion, fastened with three clasps of similar style. There are three further similar decorative elements on the outside of each of the sleeves. The epaulettes and tiny peplum are black velvet scallops edged with gold braid, and gold braid also decorates the sleeves and bodice, flattering the line of the body. Most of the gold-painted leaf-shaped acrylic decorations at the waist are missing. The tunic is lined with purple silk which is fragile through wear. There are three hidden suspenders inside the back of the tunic to attach it to the tights. |
| Dimensions |
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| Gallery label | This tunic was designed by Carl Toms for The Royal Ballet's 1963 production of Swan Lake, to which Nureyev contributed choreography as well as dancing Siegfried. Nureyev appears to have had several versions of this costume, all slightly modifying Carl Toms' original design to suit his physique. Short figure-hugging tunics were Nureyev's preferred style for classical ballet.(26/10/2020) |
| Credit line | Supported by the Friends of the V&A |
| Object history | Provenance: Rudolf Nureyev's collection. Sold at Christie's, London, 20 November 1995. Sold at Bonham's, London, 15 December 2010 when purchased by the V&A. |
| Summary | This tunic was designed by Carl Toms for the 1963 production of Swan Lake, performed by The Royal Ballet at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden. It was produced by Robert Helpmann and included new choreography by Frederick Ashton, Rudolf Nureyev and Maria Fay. It was intended that Nureyev would dance in the premiere on 12 December 1963, but injury prevented this. He first performed the role of Prince Siegfried on 6 March 1964, dancing opposite Margot Fonteyn. The production took place when Nureyev was at the height of his powers as a charismatic dancer. It continued to be performed until 1970. Nureyev danced 26 performances of the production with The Royal Ballet in London and the USA and continued to use the costume when he appeared in Swan Lake as a guest artist with other companies. He also wore it on television. Short, figure-hugging tunics were Nureyev's preferred style for classical ballet. This costume was a personal favourite and he appears to have had several versions of it made, all slightly modifying Carl Toms' original design to suit his physique. These include one in dark brown which was displayed in the Nureyev Exhibition at Moulin sur Allier (2009). Nureyev may be seen wearing variants of the costume in many photographs. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | S.3-2011 |
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| Record created | January 20, 2011 |
| Record URL |
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