Dances of Death from Paris to Saint Petersburg Suicides in Ballet

Some of the most famous ballets in the history of dance contain suicides. In the 18^th century, Jean-Georges Noverre shocked audiences by ending his ballet Médée et Jason with several murders and a suicide on stage. Afterwards suicides became more common: the poetic deaths in the 19^th century were complemented by the spectacular and violent suicides in 20^th- and 21^st-century ballets. A short interview with the dancer Robert Tewsley concludes the article.