Question

This Russian born dancer/choreographer defected from Russia to dance with the Paris Opera Ballet. Later he would dance in London with the Royal Ballet. He is considered the foremost dancer of the 20th century.

Answer 1

The dancer you're referring to is Mikhail Baryshnikov. He was born in Riga, Latvia (then part of the Soviet Union) and is renowned for his extraordinary talent and impact on ballet. Baryshnikov defected from the Soviet Union in 1974 while on tour in Canada and subsequently joined the Paris Opera Ballet and later the Royal Ballet in London. He is often regarded as one of the greatest dancers of the 20th century, known for his technical skill, artistic expression, and contributions to both classical and contemporary dance.