The Biography

Sir Anthony James Dowell CBE (born February 16, 1943) is a retired British ballet dancer and a former artistic director of the Royal Ballet from 1986–2001. He is widely recognized as one of the great danseurs nobles of the twentieth century. Dowell was born in London and trained with June Hampshire before entering The Royal Ballet School aged ten. In 1960 he graduated into the Covent Garden Opera Ballet, transferring to The Royal Ballet the following year. He was promoted to Principal in 1966. Dowell created his first role in 1964as Oberon in Frederick Ashton’sThe Dream. The ballet also saw the beginning of Dowell’s partnership with Sibley, who created the role of Titania. Further significant role creations included Des Grieux (Kenneth MacMillan’s Manon) and Beliaev (Ashton’s A Month in the Country). International appearances included dancing as a guest artist with American Ballet Theatre from the 1978/9 season on, and appearing in Ken Russell’s film Valentino (1977).