Somes, Michael George (1917–1994)

British ballet dancer, teacher, répétiteur, and guardian of the Royal Ballet's Frederick Ashton repertoire. Somes was praised by critics for his elegant deportment, superb elevation, and exceptional musicality. He was also an important long-time partner of Margot Fonteyn.

Dancer The first leading male dancer to be developed from what was then called the Vic-Wells Ballet School, Somes was awarded a scholarship in 1934, and soon established himself as one of the most gifted dancers of his generation. His early appearances with the Sadler's Wells ballet began to reveal his lyricism and musicality, which inspired Frederick Ashton to create roles for him in such works as A Wedding Bouquet (1937), Les Patineurs (1937), and Horoscope (1938), in which Somes first danced with Margot Fonteyn. Although war service and injury interrupted his career and prevented him from developing real virtuosity, when he returned to the company his partnership with Fonteyn continued, and they created further important roles in Ashton's ballets Symphonic Variations (1946), Scenes de Ballets (1948), and Ondine (1958).

Later career During the 1950s, Somes increasingly became a model for male dancers. In later years he continued to perform in character parts, and also served as assistant company director under Ashton. From 1970 his association with the Royal Ballet took the shape of chief répétiteur and teacher. When he left the company in 1984 (under slightly acrimonious circumstances – he was known for his fierce temper), he staged several Ashton ballets in many different countries. This work continued up until his death, and is considered to be Somes's greatest legacy to ballet.