Charles Jude

Jude, Charles (b Mytho, South Vietnam, 25 July 1953). French dancer. He studied with A. Kalioujny and S. Peretti and at the Nice Conservatory (1968-72). In 1972 he joined the Paris Opera Ballet; he was promoted to danseur étoile in 1977. He danced all the leading male roles in the classical repertoire, as well as in ballets by Fokine, Nijinska, Lifar, Tudor, Robbins, Balanchine, and Grigorovich (Ivan the Terrible). He created leading roles in Nureyev's Raymonda (1983), Washington Square (1985), and Cinderella (1986), and in Neumeier's Magnificat (1987). He took part in the touring outfit, Nureyev and Friends (1980-92), and danced with the Royal Ballet, the Vienna Opera Ballet, La Scala, Milan, and the Royal Danish Ballet. In 1996 he was appointed artistic director of the Bordeaux Opera Ballet, where he continued to perform Romeo, probably his most successful role. He choreographed a new version of Nutcracker for Bordeaux in 1997. Chevalier de la Légion d'honneur (1996).