Leonide Massine born 9 August 1896 (d. 1979)Born in Moscow, Leonide Massine was a Russian ballet dancer and choreographer.
Massine studied dance at the Bolshoi Theatre School. From 1915 to 1921, he was principal choreographer of Sergei Diaghilev's Ballet Russes, creating new work with composers such as Erik Satie and Stravinsky with sets and costumes by the likes of Picasso and Matisse. Following Nijinsky's departure, he became one of the principal male leads for the Ballet, as well as another of Diaghilev's string of prodigiously gifted lovers.
After Diaghilev's death, Massine kept the flame of the Ballet Russes burning through his involvement with the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo - one of two ballet companies to rise from the ashes of Diaghilev's genius. He is established as one of the most important choreographers of the 20th century.Massine appeared in two Powell and Pressburger ballet films The Red Shoes (1948) and The Tales of Hoffman (1952). He died in Cologne aged 82.