ERIK BRUHN, Danish dancer and choreographer born (d. 1986) Born in Copenhagen, Denmark, he began training with the Royal Danish Ballet at the age of nine. He later joined the company at the age of eighteen and was promoted to soloist two years later. He was best known for his roles in La Sylphide, Giselle, and Swan Lake, in which he combined subtle precision with a flair dance style. He appeared in a Russian-style pas de deux with French ballerina Zizi Jeanmaire in the 1952 Goldwyn film Hans Christian Andersen which starred Danny Kaye. It was his first trip to the US. Erik Bruhn met Rudolph Nureyev, the celebrated Russian dancer, who was on a tour in Denmark. Bruhn became Nureyev’s lover, his closest friend, and his protector for many years.